<p>Bengalureans are collecting toys, books, blankets and other articles for the underprivileged this winter. Some groups are also open to accepting volunteers who would like to help them with collecting, sorting, and distributing.</p>.<p><strong>Toys</strong></p><p>Around 50 volunteers from People For Passion are collecting new and used toys in good condition. These are a mix of educational, wooden and stuffed toys. The NGO, founded by Harshitha Srinivas, will distribute the toys until January 2025. “We give away toys in areas like J D Mara, Jayanagar, J P Nagar, Koramangala, Electronics City and the Hakkipikki Colony near Bannerghatta,” says Harshitha. Contact @peopleforpassion on Instagram to donate or volunteer.</p>.<p>Arvind Dwarakanath, founder of Jayarudra Foundation, is carrying out a toy collection drive until December 27.</p>.<p>“We are accepting dolls, puzzles, toy cars, and skill-building and educational kits. We are also open to storybooks,” says the Malleswaram resident.</p>.<p>He requests donors to gift wrap the items in colourful paper or newspaper. He dresses up as Santa and distributes toys to children at special homes and orphanages. Visit jayarudra.org for details.</p>.<p><strong>Blankets</strong></p><p>Together Everyone Achieves will conduct its blanket donation drive for the homeless on December 28. “The drive will happen in areas like Jayanagar, Padmanabhanagar, Chikkalasandra, Uttarahalli and Kumaraswamy Layout,” says Sandeep Kumar, co-founder of the NGO. They accept only new blankets. Call: 90081 23092</p>.<p>Humanity Is Religion is hosting its blanket collective drive on December 21 and 28. They will cover areas like HAL, Whitefield, Bommasandra, Kothanur, Hebbal, Yeshwantpur, and Banashankari. Suroj Ali, founder of the NGO, says, “We give out more than 500 blankets every year.” Call: 90352 84343</p>.<p>Salaam India Foundation has been distributing new blankets and warm clothes to children in underprivileged schools and people on the streets for five years. This year’s drive will take place at the Bagalur slum on December 29, says Muhammad Sehara Desai, founder of the NGO. To volunteer or donate, call 98444 49990.</p>.<p><strong>Books</strong></p><p>Let’s Be the Change, located in Banashankari, accepts children’s storybooks and textbooks, and magazines like National Geographic as donations throughout the year. “We get 15-20% more donations around festivals. We give these away to community libraries. Sometimes we set up a thrift store to sell these books for as low as Rs 5,” says the NGO’s founder, Anirudh S Dutt, Call: 93532 18818</p>.<p>ThinkBox Children’s Library in Malleshpalya also sees an increase in donations of picture and board books and comics during the Christmas season. They also receive puzzles and board games.</p>.<p>Founder Bhakti Shah says, “Most people declutter their home during the festive season and are also in the mood of giving.” They hand out these items to educational institutions and NGOs, she adds.To drop items, call: 97428 49955/81972 13944</p>
<p>Bengalureans are collecting toys, books, blankets and other articles for the underprivileged this winter. Some groups are also open to accepting volunteers who would like to help them with collecting, sorting, and distributing.</p>.<p><strong>Toys</strong></p><p>Around 50 volunteers from People For Passion are collecting new and used toys in good condition. These are a mix of educational, wooden and stuffed toys. The NGO, founded by Harshitha Srinivas, will distribute the toys until January 2025. “We give away toys in areas like J D Mara, Jayanagar, J P Nagar, Koramangala, Electronics City and the Hakkipikki Colony near Bannerghatta,” says Harshitha. Contact @peopleforpassion on Instagram to donate or volunteer.</p>.<p>Arvind Dwarakanath, founder of Jayarudra Foundation, is carrying out a toy collection drive until December 27.</p>.<p>“We are accepting dolls, puzzles, toy cars, and skill-building and educational kits. We are also open to storybooks,” says the Malleswaram resident.</p>.<p>He requests donors to gift wrap the items in colourful paper or newspaper. He dresses up as Santa and distributes toys to children at special homes and orphanages. Visit jayarudra.org for details.</p>.<p><strong>Blankets</strong></p><p>Together Everyone Achieves will conduct its blanket donation drive for the homeless on December 28. “The drive will happen in areas like Jayanagar, Padmanabhanagar, Chikkalasandra, Uttarahalli and Kumaraswamy Layout,” says Sandeep Kumar, co-founder of the NGO. They accept only new blankets. Call: 90081 23092</p>.<p>Humanity Is Religion is hosting its blanket collective drive on December 21 and 28. They will cover areas like HAL, Whitefield, Bommasandra, Kothanur, Hebbal, Yeshwantpur, and Banashankari. Suroj Ali, founder of the NGO, says, “We give out more than 500 blankets every year.” Call: 90352 84343</p>.<p>Salaam India Foundation has been distributing new blankets and warm clothes to children in underprivileged schools and people on the streets for five years. This year’s drive will take place at the Bagalur slum on December 29, says Muhammad Sehara Desai, founder of the NGO. To volunteer or donate, call 98444 49990.</p>.<p><strong>Books</strong></p><p>Let’s Be the Change, located in Banashankari, accepts children’s storybooks and textbooks, and magazines like National Geographic as donations throughout the year. “We get 15-20% more donations around festivals. We give these away to community libraries. Sometimes we set up a thrift store to sell these books for as low as Rs 5,” says the NGO’s founder, Anirudh S Dutt, Call: 93532 18818</p>.<p>ThinkBox Children’s Library in Malleshpalya also sees an increase in donations of picture and board books and comics during the Christmas season. They also receive puzzles and board games.</p>.<p>Founder Bhakti Shah says, “Most people declutter their home during the festive season and are also in the mood of giving.” They hand out these items to educational institutions and NGOs, she adds.To drop items, call: 97428 49955/81972 13944</p>