Facilities Accepting Holiday Donations for Hospital Patients, SSLC Residents

State hospitals and state supported living centers staff — and volunteers in their communities — are accepting donated gifts for patients and residents to make their holidays brighter.

The holiday season is fast approaching, and some of the people served at state hospitals and state supported living centers will be spending the holidays away from their loved ones.

The state cannot pay for gifts and special treats for the people we serve, so this funding often comes from the Volunteer Services Councils (VSCs) that work with each hospital and living center.

The VSCs are instrumental year-round in helping support and enhance the lives of residents and patients. Many generous community members, including HSCS staff, also make the holidays special by hosting parties and providing donated gifts.

Monetary donations to the VSCs are always welcome and allow for more flexibility, but many facilities have specific wish lists for donated items, such as games, toiletries, clothes and music CDs.

VSCs Holiday Wish List

If you or your group would like to donate to a VSC for the holidays, see the list of facilities below. Donations benefit the people served at SSLCs and state hospitals. Those who can’t make a donation can still help by spreading the word in their communities through social media or word-of-mouth.

Abilene State Supported Living Center

  • Call Shae Butts at 325-795-3547.

Austin State Hospital

  • Monetary donations are accepted at Austin State Hospital VSC.
  • Items needed include men’s and women’s watches, book-bound journals (no spiral) and playing cards.
  • Call Cindy Reed at 512-419-2333.

Austin State Supported Living Center

  • Volunteers have several opportunities to host holiday parties at resident homes.
  • Call Clarisa Quinonez at 512-374-6160.

Big Spring State Hospital

  • Call Carl Reid at 432-270-3141.

Brenham State Supported Living Center

  • Items needed include men’s and women’s wallets, simple card games, drawing pads, and colognes and lotions for both men and women.
  • Call Christy Shelton at 979-277-1507.

Corpus Christi State Supported Living Center

Denton State Supported Living Center

  • Monetary donations are accepted at Denton State Supported Living Center VSC.
  • During the week of Dec. 11–15, radio station WBAP 820 AM will host Christmas Is for Caring, an annual fundraising event for the Denton VSC. To donate, call 214-525-2550 from 6 a.m.–7 p.m.

El Paso Psychiatric Center

  • Call Zulema Carrillo at 915-532-2202.

El Paso State Supported Living Center

  • Items needed include DVD players, CD players, radios, men’s and women’s pajamas (all sizes), hats, gloves, scarves and backpacks.
  • Call Maria Martinez at 915-782-6488.

Kerrville State Hospital

Lubbock State Supported Living Center

  • Items needed include blankets, scarves, gloves, and cologne and perfume sets.
  • Call Sandy Anderson at 806-741-3632.

Lufkin State Supported Living Center

Mexia State Supported Living Center

  • Call Community Relations at 254-562-1301.

North Texas State Hospital — Wichita Falls and Vernon

  • Call Ronna Akins at 940-552-4184.

Richmond State Supported Living Center

  • Items needed include AM/FM/CD clock radios, CDs, DVD movies, fleece throws, men’s and women’s pajamas, men’s and women’s socks, backpacks, sketch pads, colored pencils and watercolor paints.
  • Call Brenda Rangel at 281-344-4525.

Rio Grande State Center

Rusk State Hospital

  • Items needed include men’s caps with plastic clasps in the back, puzzle books, men’s and women’s socks, cosmetic bags and grocery store gift cards (to purchase fresh fruit for stockings).
  • Call Cera Reynolds at 903-683-7613.

San Angelo State Supported Living Center

San Antonio State Hospital

  • Items needed include board games, card games, puzzles, wallets, watches, coats, socks, body wash and shampoo.
  • Call Annette Delgado at 972-531-8004.

San Antonio State Supported Living Center

  • Items needed include hats, gloves, coats, men’s hoodie sweatshirts, CD boom boxes, country music CDs, cowboy hats, purses, women’s bathrobes, pajamas, body lotion and pocket radios with earbuds.
  • Call Maria Rodriguez at 210-531-3729.

Terrell State Hospital

  • Monetary donations are accepted at Terrell State Hospital VSC.
  • Items needed include board games, card games, puzzles, body wash, shampoo, wallets, watches, coats and socks.
  • Call Iva Tankersley at 972 551-8451.

Waco Center for Youth

  • Monetary donations are accepted at Waco Center for Youth VSC.
  • Items needed include board games, card games and puzzles.
  • Call Prissy Allen at 254-745-5174.