In the next few weeks, you’ll have two different ways to give kids gifts for the holidays, and numerous opportunities to give a blood or platelet donation. Let’s get into it.
Kids Shop with Cops, You Can Help Too
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office, BCSO, is proud to host the 31st Annual Shop with a Cop event this holiday season. The idea is to strengthens positive connections between youth and local law enforcement, offering children a fun and memorable shopping experience alongside officers and social workers.
“Shop with a Cop is one of the most meaningful traditions we participate in each year,” said Sheriff Van Arsdall. “It gives our deputies an opportunity to support local kids, build trust, and share in the joy of the season. We’re grateful for the community members and partner agencies who make this special event possible.”
So, here’s how it works. A group of elementary-aged children has been selected to participate in early December. And this year, each child will receive a gift card to choose special holiday gifts during their shopping trip with public safety partners from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State University Public Safety, Corvallis Police Department, and Philomath Police Department.
Shop with a Cop is funded entirely through donations from both law enforcement personnel and community members. Contributions are accepted year-round, and all support is greatly appreciated. Tax-deductible donations may be made via cash or check payable to “The Sheriff’s Foundation” with “Shop with a Cop” listed in the memo line. Donations can be mailed or delivered in person to:
Benton County Sheriff’s Office
180 NW 5th St.
Corvallis, OR 97330
Help Parent-Students at OSU
The Kids Gift Closet, a long-standing initiative helping OSU families provide gifts for their children throughout the year, is seeking donations to stock the closet for the upcoming 2025 holiday season.
The Kids Gift Closet, offered through the Family Resource Center on the Corvallis campus, serves OSU families throughout the year by providing them access to new gifts for birthdays, cultural and religious holidays and festivities. Every year during the December holiday season, between 35 and 50 OSU families on average pick up gifts from the closet.
Director of parent-student engagement Kristi King said she’s already had inquiries from families inquiring about this year’s closet and expects to see more local families use the service than in previous years, due to economic challenges.
Families have anonymously shared how they have benefited from the Kids Gift Closet in the past.
“The Kids Gift Closet is such a blessing to our family,” one parent wrote. “I can’t believe the generosity of the Family Resource Center and OSU community. There are so many items to choose from and I always find something my child will love.”
Another said, “Thank you for letting me come to the Kids Gift Closet and shop for my children. I liked being able to pick out items that I knew my children would enjoy. They were so happy!”
King said there are a number of perennial favorites when it comes to donations.
“LEGO is always popular, along with trucks, dolls, dinosaurs and princesses. Games, puzzles and art supplies too,” she said. “We always have parents pick out a book for their child when they shop, so donations of books are helpful too.”
Donations must be brand-new, unwrapped items that a parent would want to give their child for a gift. Participants are shopping for gifts for their newborns through teenagers, so donations for a variety of ages are great. Staff also accepts donations of wrapping paper and gift bags.
Those wishing to make a donation can either purchase an item locally, or use the center’s Amazon wish list at Kids Gift Closet Wish List- Family Resource Center. Items purchased through the wish list can be shipped directly to the center, and items purchased locally can be dropped off on the second floor of Azalea House by emailing Kristi.king@oregonstate.edu to set up a drop-off time.
The Easiest Way to Save a Life, Give Blood
The Red Cross is facing a drop in donor turnout this fall – a time when making and keeping appointments is critical to providing lifesaving blood products for patients over the holidays. More donors are needed to help keep the blood supply strong.
Reserve your spot to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
All who come to give blood Nov. 17-Dec. 7, 2025, will score an exclusive pair of Red Cross x PAC-MAN socks, while supplies last. Those who give blood or platelets during the same time frame can snag a custom Red Cross x PAC-MAN GASHAPON, while they last. This high-quality collectible won’t last long – supplies are limited, so donors are encouraged to hurry in. See RedCrossBlood.org/PACMAN for details.
Upcoming blood drives:
11/24/2025: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Toyota of Corvallis, 800 NW 5th St
11/26/2025: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Historical Old School, 4455 NE Highway 20
11/26/2025: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., LDS – Corvallis Stake, 4141 NW Harrison Blvd.
11/26/2025: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Burgerville, 2300 NW 9th Street
11/28/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., C3 Corvallis Community Center, 2601 NW Tyler Ave.
12/4/2025: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Boys and Girls Club of Corvallis, 1112 NW Circle Blvd
12/5/2025: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Market of Choice Corvallis, 922 NW Circle Blvd. #110
Monroe
11/21/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Monroe Community Library, 380 North 5th Street
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