by PATRICK LEJTENYI

It’s the holidays, and some of the kinder-hearted and deeper-pocketed among us may be wondering where and how to give away a few extra bucks. Below is a by no means exhaustive list of well-deserving institutions that could use a bit of cheer.

The Native Women’s Shelter

Since 1987, this Montreal charity has been providing a safe haven for women, mostly aboriginal and Inuit, and their children who are looking to get back on their feet and away from abusive homes or life on the street. Although it has only 16 rooms equipped to support families, clients can stay there for either short- or long-term periods, some for as long as three months. They also provide a structured environment and workshops on domestic abuse, parenting and anger management, visits from community elders and additional referrals. The shelter’s director, Ida LaBillois-Montour, says they’re looking for seasonal food, like turkeys and potatoes, although money is always welcome. Receipt provided. Call (514) 933-4688.

Dawson-shooting related

A month after Kimveer Gill shot and killed 18-year-old Anastasia De Sousa, Dawson College set up a memorial award fund in her name, with the full support from the De Sousa family. The money raised—over $50,000 to date—will, according to the Dawson College Web site, go mostly to awards and scholarships. Cheques can be made out to Dawson College, with a memo stating the funds be directed to the Anastasia De Sousa Memorial Award Fund. Send cheques to Dawson College Foundation, 3040 Sherbrooke W., H3Z 1A4. For details, see www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/sept13/award.php or call (514) 931-8731 ext. 1202 and talk to Mary Di Liello. Receipts provided.

Proceeds from this Friday’s benefit concert at the Metropolis (59 Ste-Catherine E.) will go to the memorial fund and to Kid’s Help Phone, a national 24-hour hotline for counselling, information, support and referral service for troubled teens. They’re also accepting donations. Visit them on the Web at www.kidshelpphone.ca or call 1-800-268-3062.

Finally, Vampirefreaks.com, the goth forum that gained international infamy thanks to Gill’s frequent use, is raising money to give to the Montreal Children’s Hospital and the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation. Goths can smile again at http://vampirefreaks.com/charity/donate.php.

AIDS Community Care Montreal

This local organization caters mainly, but not exclusively, to the local gay anglo population, in two particular ways. First, they provide support to people living with HIV, with a drop-in centre, a food and vitamins buyer’s club and a “perpetual” garage sale with mostly clothing and furniture on offer, says executive director Ken Monteith. There are also health workshops for the HIV-positive, allowing people to stay informed and active in their own health. Second is prevention, informing gay men and ethno-cultural communities about safe sex. Visit www.accmontreal.org, call (514) 527-0928, e-mail info@

accmontreal.org or drop in at 2075 Plessis, basement level, to make a donation.

Dans la rue

The eminent Father Emmett “Pops” Johns is always in the giving mood, but this week Dans la rue, his street-kid and at-risk youth outreach organization, is doing things a little different. The annual giving campaign is focusing on its not-quite-year-old mentoring program, which provides clients with things like finding a home, work, a job and health services, as well as dealing with issues legal and financial. Running the whole operation, from its van, which provides warm shelter and food, to the day centre, costs over $3-million a year, so they need all the help they can get. To donate, call (514) 526-5222, mail a cheque to Le Bon Dieu dans la rue, 895 de la Gauchetière W., level 90, suite 220, H3B 5K3, or visit www.danslarue.org.

Share the Warmth

This Pointe St-Charles charity was founded in 1989 to address the needs of the southwest neighbourhood’s homeless population, but has since expanded its purview to include disadvantaged kids. Executive director Judy Stevens says 80 per cent of their work now focuses on children. They provide food and supplies for school kids, have a food bank, a delivery service for shut-ins, a teen centre and host various activities for kids aged five and up to “get them off the street.” There’s lots of stuff they’re accepting: food, both perishable and non-perishable, money, and warm gloves and boots for elementary-age students. To donate, call 514-933-5599, e-mail info@sharethewarmth.ca or drop in at 625 Fortune in the Pointe, corner Wellington. You can also visit them online at www.sharethewarmth.ca.