Give, Learn and Make a Difference in November

As winter descends and the season of giving approaches, local charitable organizations are emphasizing the need for donations, awareness and action. Here are a few ways you can exercise a charitable spirit in November:

Volunteer

Visit our "volunteer" section to search for volunteering opportunities in Berkeley. Need volunteers for your charitable organization or event? Post an announcement in our "volunteers needed" section. 

Donate Your Socks Off

Local podiatrists launched a "Socks for the Needy" drive this week, to continue throughout the holiday season. 

"There are many needy individuals with hardships that have been forced to wear the same pair of socks for days or weeks at a time," says Dr. Mark Wolpa, founder of the Bay Area Foot & Laser Podiatry Group. "For those with diabetes, impaired circulation, or neuropathy, this can lead to serious foot infections which may result in the loss of a limb or even loss of life."

New socks of all sizes (including children's) can be dropped off or mailed to the Berkeley office, located across from the Alta Bates Summit-Herrick Hospital at 2500 Milvia Street #120, Berkeley, CA 94704. 

Give Fur Back to the Animals

is taking part in the Humane Society's "Coats for Cubs" drive, beginning Nov. 25. and running through to Earth Day on Sunday, April 22. Donate your real fur apparel, including trims, accessories and shearling, to any Buffalo Exchange — specifying that it's a gift for the Coats for Cubs program — and the fur will be used to provide bedding and comfort to orphaned and injured wildlife. 

Because these items are going to wildlife rehabilitators, condition is unimportant. Since 2006, Buffalo Exchange has collected a total of 6,331 used furs on behalf of Coats for Cubs.

Go Hungry

Attend a "banquet" like no other , when the San Francisco Bay Area Oxfam Action Corps will host a "Hunger Banquet" at the David Brower Center in Downtown Berkeley. 

Guests draw a ticket at random that assign them to either a high, middle, or low-income tier, based on the statistics about the number of people living in poverty in the world. Each income level has a corresponding story and meal (of differing portions). 

There will also be a free screening of the documentary Africa’s Last Famine. To RSVP, email oxfam.sf@gmail.com.

Bring a Gift to BART

In the spirit of holiday giving, BART station agents and train operators are teaming up to host a food and “Toys for Tots” drive. Volunteers will collect non-perishable food items and brand new toys at selected stations through Friday, Nov. 18.

If you would like to donate to families in need, bring your donations during peak commute hours (6 a.m. - 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.) to the Downtown Berkeley BART station, or any of the following stations: 

Rockridge 
19th Street
San Leandro
Dublin/Pleasanton
Fremont
El Cerrito Del Norte 
Pittsburg/Bay Point
Pleasant Hill
Embarcadero
Balboa Park

Do you know of any charitable events happening in Berkeley? Add the event to our community calendar or post an announcement. Events and announcements are automatically published on Berkeley Patch.