There are all sorts of wonderful organizations serving the military and homeless in San Diego. Here are a few helping out this holiday season.
• PayOffLayaways.org: American Christmas Santas are showing up at Walmarts across America to pay off Christmas layaways for low income families. Visit their website for more information.
• UT Food Toy Drive: The Salvation Army and U-T team up to collect more than 1.25 million pounds of food and toys this holiday season. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or stocking stuffer and non-perishable foods to a drop off location by Dec. 21. Visit www.utsandiego.com/foodtoydrive for more information.
• Winter Shelter Opens for Veterans in Need: This is the 15th year of a shelter for homeless veterans during the cold winter months. Veterans Village, a San Diego nonprofit founded in 1981 to offer treatment and housing for troubled veterans, operates the 150-bed facility in a massive city-owned tent.
• The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) helps veterans all year long. Their staff of volunteers links hundreds of thousands of veterans and their families with services that address physical, emotional and financial needs. Donating household items, clothing and money helps veterans all year.