Many people find the holiday season a time to share their blessings with the less fortunate. Local organizations and advocacy groups such as those below would put your gift to good use.

Fish of Laurel/Elizabeth House helps needy neighbors in the greater Laurel area by providing dinners, groceries, referral services and, on a very limited basis, some financial help. Elizabeth House kitchen, 301-776-9296. Fish of Laurel groceries and financial help, 301-262-7106.

Wish List: Donations of food (fresh meat, cheeses, fresh fruit and vegetables, dry or canned food), money and volunteers for kitchen and pantry.

Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services is a non-proselytizing ecumenical ministry serving the greater Laurel area by assisting homeless and low-income individuals or families experiencing crisis with emergency and long-term services designed to promote self-sufficiency. Ernestine Gibson, holiday coordinator, 301-776-0442, ext. 30.

Wish List: "Adopt" a family and provide gifts and food for the entire family for the holidays; purchase gifts such as dolls, toy trucks, individual CD players (for teens especially), movie gift passes, McDonald's or other restaurant gift cards, toddler (under age 3) gifts, gift cards for clothing items. Bath products (soaps, shower gels, shampoos), socks, women's hygiene products and non-perishable food for the pantry are needed throughout the year.

Lovely Ladies of Laurel is a mentoring organization for girls that supports intellectual achievement and personal and social development and promotes respect for self and others through educational, cultural and community service activities. Celeste Hill, 240-565-1284. www.divaladiesoflaurel.com.

Wish List: Coat drive through Dec. 4. Drop off inside school entrance between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Eisenhower Middle School, 13725 Briarwood Drive. Boombox, digital camera, calculators, mini-laptops and arts and crafts supplies (beads, markers, crayons) for activities for girls in grades 8-10.

Partners in Care (Anne Arundel County and new Laurel office), 410-544-4800, mission is to help older individuals remain independent in their homes. New part-time office in Laurel is looking for volunteers. June, 410-544-4800.

Wish List: Ongoing needs for volunteers to perform small handyman repairs and drivers to transport elderly individuals to the doctor, grocery store and holiday shopping. During the holidays, need volunteers to assist in wrapping presents and delivering them to older adults. Needs donation of a truck and/or van in good condition.

PAWS for Pallotti, a social group and resource for students with pets whose mission is to build a community of pet owners and animal lovers, while giving back to area shelters and animal advocacy organizations, is having a holiday drive for local animal shelters. Drop off boxes at Pallotti High School, 113 St. Mary's Place. Nina Gass, ngass@pallottihs.org, or Kelly Hawse, khawse@pallotti.org.

Wish List: Laundry detergent, blankets and sheets, tall kitchen drawstring bags, antibacterial dishwashing liquid, stainless steel bowls, bathroom rugs without rubber backing, cloth and paper towels, dry or canned dog food, squeaky toys, cat litter, grooming brushes/combs, gently used collars and leashes.

Side by Side is a Laurel Clergy Association subsidiary group that supports Laurel-area public schools and sponsors the Family Academy, which provides resources to help parents create a nurturing environment for their children.

Wish List: A recent-vintage laptop computer and donations. 15808 Kerr Road, Laurel, MD 20707, sidebyside@sidebysidelaurel.org. www.sidebysidelaurel.org. 301-725-8179.

Teen Challenge of Maryland, is a nonprofit drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for men. Laurel location, 301-617-4956.

Wish List: Meat, eggs, milk, heating oil, office supplies, copier ink, janitorial supplies, computer supplies, auto donations, items to sell in their thrift shop and sponsorship of individuals through monetary contributions.

Teen Moms Friends Club provides education and support to teen and young parents and offers fun group activities to promote friendships. Arrange pick up or drop off of donations, 443-623-5297, or ContactUs@TeenMomsFriendsClub.org.

Wish List: Children's clothes (ages newborn to kindergarten highest demand), cribs, crib linens, highchairs, baby beds, toddler beds, Pack N Plays, car seats, strollers, diaper bags, toys and games. Volunteers for local mentor programs either one-on-one or in small groups, leading skill classes, tutoring, budgeting, resume writing, baby sign language, mommy and me singing. Help with fundraising and monetary donations via link on Web site, www.teenmomsfriendsclub.org, or mail to organization's office at the Laurel Boys and Girls Club, 701 Montgomery St., Laurel, MD 20707.

Volunteer Center Serving Howard County's Holiday Guide to Giving is a resource for volunteering and donating during the holidays and includes the volunteer and donations needs of 50 local nonprofit and governmental agencies. 410-715-3172, www.volunteerhoward.org.

Wish List: To access the guide, go to http://volunteerhoward.org/PDFs/2009GuideGivingVOLCenter102809.pdf.

Toys for Tots Campaign, sponsored by the local Marine Corps Reserve, is a toy drive for the underprivileged children in Anne Arundel and Howard counties. Local drop-off locations: APL Federal Credit Union, 11050 Johns Hopkins Road and 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Coastal Sunbelt Produce, 8704 Bollman Place, Savage, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. For complete list of sponsoring businesses in the counties, go to anne-arundelmd.toysfortots.org. Pete Pervi at papervi@verizon.net, or call 410-987-3811.

Wish List: Children's toys and members of the community to help with the campaign since many Marines are serving on foreign shores.

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