SweetCharity Blog | D Magazine » Toys!

Capriccio Ristorante Turns Green Tomorrow for Captain Hope’s Kids

Jeanne Prejean — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:35:56 +0000

Capriccio Ristorante may sound a bit Italian, but tomorrow it’s as Irish as the blarney stone. From 5 p.m. to midnight, the Alpha Road restaurant is partnering up with The Irish American Society to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and help area children in need of homes.

Just bring a gently-used- or new-child’s clothing or toys to Capriccio and you’ll get a ticket into the restaurant’s celebration/fund raiser benefiting Captain Hope’s Kids. Once inside you’ll have “complimentary bites, drink specials, and live music by the Very Verys.”

Drat! We Swore We Wouldn’t Do It

Jeanne Prejean — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:53:38 +0000

I know, I know. We promised no more calls for toys, but this time of year we do want to stay on Santa’s good side, so here is the absolute very last shout out. There are many worthwhile organizations who are trying to help those in need. Some have been around longer than D Magazine like Brother Bill’s Helping Hand, that serves some of the poorest in our community. Founded more than 50 years ago by the late Bill Harrod, each year Brother Bill’s has a Christmas party for the children from the 75212 ZIP code. (Did you know that it is one of the poorest per capita ZIP codes in the U.S.?) This year they’re expecting 800 children to show up hoping for gifts. No, not Wii’s or Legos. Something under $10-$12. Isn’t that the cost of a Combo #1 at AMC? Oh, so you want specifics. My, you’re getting demanding, but we do want to keep you happy, so here is a rundown of the kinds of gifts Brother Bill’s needs unwrapped by this Saturday:

Boys (birth-2) – 65 stuffed animals, 45 books under $10, and 35 baby toys like building blocks, trucks, etc.
Girls (birth-2) – 35 baby toys and 45 books (under $10)
Boys (3-5) – 80 Matchbox/Hot Wheels cares (five pc sets @ $6), 80 Play Doh (four pc sets @ $2), 55 Diego & Friends toys (under $10), and 35 books (under $10)
Girls (3-5) – 80 Fisher Price Doodle Pro Designs-SpongeBob/Barbie/Go Diego ($8-9), 80 Play Doh (four pc set @$2), 30 Dora & Friends toys/My Little Pony Favorite Friends ($10), and 80 books (under $10)
Boys (6-8) – 65 board games ($11+), 60 action figures – Star Wars/Pokemon/Spiderman (under $10), 115 Power Rangers/Batman Power Pack ($9-10), and 115 books (under $10)
Girls (6-8) – 70 Books (under $10) and 70 Snow White/Tinkerbell ($3)/Pet Shop purses ($7)
Boys (9-11) – 70 StarWars Lego figures ($11), 85 soccer balls ($$ needed, buying wholesale), and 85 books ($$ needed, buying wholesale)
Girls (9-11) – 75 Activity Paints Sets/Word Wear ($10), Friendship bracelet sets ($10), and books ($$ needed, buying wholesale)
Boys (12-14) – 55 Pocket Pogo/Connect4/Simon Trickster handheld games ($10), 55 official footballs ($$ needed, buying wholesale, and 55 books ($$ needed, buying wholesale – Tomo series)
Girls (12-14) – 55 Glitter nail polish sets/sparkle lotions and Lip Smacker Party Pack of 8 ($8) and 65 books ($$ needed, buying wholesale – Tomo series)

And you know darn well that if you can’t shop for a toy or book, you can simply pop off a nice check to Brother Bill’s at 3430 Odessa, Dallas 75212. No, you can’t make an online donation, you techie type. Their website just isn’t as sophisticated as you. In return you’ll get a receipt for tax purposes and it will make opening your own gifts a lot easier.

Also, please remember that there are other groups in need of help due to the extreme economic times. They need toys plus everyday things that we all take for granted, like soap, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo and the essentials. If you know of such a group, share it in the comments. You could make a difference for good.

Last Call For Toys!

Jeanne Prejean — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:33:54 +0000

We posted a question about reputable groups that need toys. This is the last call for you to let us know of any organizations in need of toys for needy children. Yes, we know it’s still 11 days until Christmas, but these groups have got to get them to Santa for Christmas deliveries.

So, please comments section to blatantly promote any group that you feel could benefit. The kids would truly appreciate it!

Holt Haynsworth Is Going To Shoot Santa For Toys

Jeanne Prejean — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:00:23 +0000

Holt Haynsworth (pictured) will be shooting Santa between Starbucks and Chanel in Highland Park Village today. No, not with a gun, silly. The fav photog of the best looking folks and pets will be taking photos of Santa with better-than-good boys and girls from 2 to 6 p.m. How do you qualify as a “better-than-good”? Just bring a new, unwrapped toy for children at Children’s Medical Center and the S.M. Wright Foundation.

You just might want to linger around the Village for window shopping or doing some serious buying til 6-ish when the annual holidays lights turn on and the horse-drawn carriage rides commence. Weather experts are giving a thumbs up for the evening.