Stories - Share the Spirit

Previous Stories

A look at those we’ve helped throughout the years

Since 1989, Share the Spirit has helped those in need in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties and the rest of the Bay Area by publishing their “Stories” — an in-depth account of their hopes and struggles — in the East Bay Times during the holiday season. Readers responded generously with donations that helped these people and the organization involved. Here are some of those Stories from past campaigns:

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2021

Meals on Wheels Diablo Region offers more than food deliveries

Donations help support 56 nonprofit agencies of Meals on Wheels Diablo Region in Contra Costa and Alameda counties. Meals on Wheels will provide a year of Internet service for 50 low-income seniors to participate in Zoom health and wellness classes ...

2021

Veterans Accession House helps homeless veterans find stability, community in Pittsburg

Donations will help Veterans Accession House install a badly needed air conditioning unit in one home and contribute to ventilation improvement for another.

2021

Lions Center helps people regain the independence they lost when their eyesight dimmed

Donations will help Lions Center for the Visually Impaired offer vision services to older adults, group classes and activities for those with reduced vision and early detection exams for eye diseases.

2021

Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area provides a safe, welcoming community

Donations will help Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area provide THRIVE classes (weekly developmental classes for children and adults with Down syndrome); weekly music therapy classes; a holiday event and meeting Santa Claus; our support groups for relatives and ...

2021

Former homeless woman gives back to the center that gave her hope

Trinity Center was deeply impacted by COVID-19 with reductions in staff and volunteer programs. Donations will help the center return to its pre-pandemic services.

2021

Berkeley Food Network battles hunger in COVID era

Berkeley Food Network provides meals to about 5,000 people per week. Donations will help them purchase seasonal holiday foods such as locally-grown organic produce, chickens, butter, eggs, and canned foods for distribution through their mobile distributions and on-site pantry. BFN ...

2021

Facing tough times, Oakland residents get back on career track through Civicorps

Donations will help Civicorps support the salary of a case counselors, who provides trauma-informed counseling, conflict resolution, social services support, and case management to over 250 Corps-members annually.

2021

Former foster youth inspired by East Bay Children’s Law Offices attorney

Donations will help East Bay Children's Law purchase holiday gifts for our clients and restock our inventory of books, toys and gift cards for children in need.

2021

St. Vincent de Paul helps El Sobrante family after a crushing series of events

Donations will allow St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County, (SVdP), to brighten the holidays for low-income residents of East County. Their food-gift card distribution program at Thanksgiving and Christmas would serve 300 families-over or 1,200 individuals.

2021

Their grief brought them together; now they help others on the same painful path

Donations will allow Contra Costa Crisis Center to staff their Grief Counseling Services Coordination. The Crisis Center has been facilitating such conversations since 1963. The nonprofit is accredited by the American Association of Suicidology, and it provides 24/7 support and ...

2021

Traumatized veteran getting needed assistance from Berkeley Food and Housing Project

Berkeley Food & Housing Project’s Community Meal provides over 5,000 meals per month to people experiencing food insecurity. Donations would cover the cost of the holiday meals program. This would include the preparation of special holiday meals during November and ...

2021

Winter Nights family shelter helps a mother turn her life around

Winter Nights Family Shelter supports families by helping them remain employed and get or retain housing. Donations will help support their housing assistance efforts.