SHARING SPIRIT: WHERE YOU CAN GIVE.

This holiday season, organizations and companies across Southern California are collecting goods for those in need. Here are some opportunities to donate:

--Residents can come out and see Santa and help the needy by bringing a donated toy or food item during an open house tonight at the Michael family's, 2117 N. Parker Court, Simi Valley.

--Donations are being collected for local foster children of the Hathaway House through Tuesday. Call Becky at [phone].

--Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center is soliciting toys, food and clothing through Wednesday for distribution to families of students at Cerritos and GlenFeliz Boulevard elementary schools. The hospital is located at 1420 S. Central Ave. Call [phone].

--First Christian Church of North Hollywood operates a volunteer Christmas tree lot, with proceeds donated to children's charities. The lot is at 4390 Colfax Ave., North Hollywood. Call [phone].

--The San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council is asking for donations for its programs, including Meals on Wheels, Alliance for the Care of Abused Children, food pantries and temporary shelters. It also needs blankets for homeless people in the Valley. Call [phone].

--The Glendale YWCA Domestic Violence Project is collecting gift certificates for women's and children's clothing, books, personal items, bath products, movies, groceries, and prepaid gas and phone cards. Call Edwina Dunlap at [phone] Ext. 236.

--Children's Institute International is seeking toy donations for its annual holiday party for children at risk of abuse and neglect. Donations accepted through today at the main office at 701 S. New Hampshire Ave., Los Angeles. Arrangements can also be made to have donations picked up. Call [phone].

--Sears stores are collecting toys and apparel to distribute to more than 15,000 children at Fred Jordan Mission in Los Angeles on Sunday. Donors can pick a child's ``wish tag'' off the store's Christmas tree and purchase gifts. Sears will make additional contributions.

--The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is seeking the donation of household items that will be given to Los Angeles County families in extreme need. The organization also is asking businesses to donate overstocked or discontinued items. Call [phone].

--Nonperishable foods and new toys are needed for the 14th annual Santa's Magic Food and Toy Drive, sponsored by the Santa Clarita Valley-Newhall Optimist Club. Donations can be made at brightly decorated boxes at supermarkets across the Santa Clarita Valley. To contribute perishable items, call [phone].

--The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in Santa Clarita is collecting new, unwrapped toys for its annual toy drive. Especially needed this year are toys for infants and athletic equipment for teens. Monetary donations used to purchase gift certificates are also appreciated. Toys can be dropped off at the sheriff's station, 23740 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia; Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, 24251 Town Center Drive; Valencia AutoSpa, 23500 Valencia Blvd.; the Washington Mutual branches at Granary Square and on Valencia Boulevard; and at various schools in the area. Call Deputy Donna Elliott at [phone].