IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO GIVE.

Byline: Karen Thacker Community Columnist

For the last-minute givers this Christmas season, there are still several organizations taking donations:

Food and toys are still needed at the Salvation Army, which will be giving out Monday its annual stash of Christmas baskets containing food and gifts.

Nonperishable food items and commercially canned and processed foods are requested, as well as unwrapped toys. Donations can be dropped off at the office at 45001 Beech Ave.

``If a toy gets here too late for us to use this year, we'll store it and use it next year,'' Capt. Ken Hood said.

Those receiving baskets had to apply for them. About 1,100 will go out Monday.

Salvation Army bell ringers will also be collecting cash donations until 5 or 6 p.m. Christmas Eve.

The money goes toward Christmas baskets, but also for winter relief in general, supplying food and items for those in need, Hood said.

Those not qualifying for Salvation Army baskets, or applying too late, may receive assistance from Grace Resource Center.

Food and toy donations will be accepted there through Christmas, said Steve Baker, executive director.

Donations can be dropped off at Grace Resources, 44932 Yucca Ave. in Lancaster.

A Christmas Eve dinner will be served at the center, with music provided, too.

Another Christmas-giving option is to donate to the American Cancer Society.

The local Sierra High Desert Unit has a Christmas tree at the Antelope Valley Mall in which people can add paper angels or paper dreidels (spinning top honoring Hanukkah) for any donation, said community services coordinator Barbara Gillon.

Those donating $15 or more can also get their own Christmas ornament or Hanukkah dreidel.

Many people put up a paper decoration in memory of someone lost to cancer or just donate money for research for a cure, organizers said.

The tree, which has become an annual tradition, is in front of the J.C. Penney store. The tree will be up until 8 p.m. Tuesday.

A holiday toy drive hosted by the Lancaster JetHawks and radio station KAVL will take donations through Dec. 23.

Anyone who brings a toy valued at $5 to $15 will receive a reserved-seat ticket to the April 6 JetHawks game against the High Desert Mavericks.

Toys will go to the Salvation Army for distribution. Toys are especially needed for kids ages 10 to 12, organizers said.

Toys should be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the stadium, on Avenue I west of the Antelope Valley Freeway.

The Jones Intercable/McDonald's Helping Hands food and toy drive will continue through Dec. 31. Toys and canned goods will be distributed to nine local agencies, including the Boys & Girls Club, Grace Resource Center and Families Helping Families.

Donations can be dropped off at any Antelope Valley McDonald's restaurant or at Jones' office, 41551 10th St. W., Palmdale. Toys not delivered for Christmas will be stored for later use.

The first delivery of 800 toys and 7,600 cans of food was made Thursday morning. Daily pickups and deliveries will take place through Christmas.

Monetary donations may still be made to the Daily News' 1997 Season of Sharing campaign, which profiled 14 local individuals and families who have special wishes for the holidays.

The beneficiaries include a disabled Neenach woman who needs a motorized wheelchair, and an Acton father who is seeking transportation to Texas for treatment for brain cancer.

Tax-deductible donations can be sent to the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council, which is administering the fund. The council can be reached at 10824 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Chatsworth, CA 91311. The council's telephone number is [phone], Ext. 3001.

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PHOTO (color) From left, Santa gives Christmas gifts to Peg Lee Anderson, Rosa Hernandez and Roberta Cuffe.

Jeff Goldwater/Daily News