In this time of Holiday giving, it's good to also remember to help those whose missions is helping others. If you haven't thought of a good gift this year for your favorite Aunt Edna, or you're feeling especially wealthy this millennium, consider giving to one of the following groups.

The following are just SOME of the many nonprofit charities, volunteer community organizations and arts groups in North Seattle that need your support.

Caring

RYTHER CHILD CENTER:

Ryther is a not-for-profit child-welfare agency that helps children and families break the cycles of violence, neglect, physical and sexual abuse, crime and chemical addiction. Donations are needed to improve its present facilities.

Address: 2400 NE 95th, Seattle 98115; Phone: 525-5050; E-mail: www.ryther.org.

CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY:

Each year, the Children's Home Society of Washington, located at 3300 NE 65th, serves more than 22,000 children and families in communities across the state through its 36 service sites, including the North Seattle Family Center and Meadowbrook Family Center in North Seattle. The CHSW is currently seeking individuals and businesses to be Holiday Helpers to families served by the North Seattle and Meadowbrook Family Centers. The North Seattle Family Center is also seeking donations of new toys, books and sweaters for their holiday closet. Adult items are also requested.

Phone: 366-9256 (Meadowbrook Family Center); 364-7930 (North Seattle Family Center.)

FREMONT PUBLIC ASSOCIATION:

The FPA, located in the Wallingford District, is a nonprofit community action agency that operates a number of programs, including the Fremont Food Bank, shelter/housing programs, elderly/disabled programs, a minor home repair program and the FamilyWorks Resource Center. Volunteers and donations are needed.

Address: 1501 N. 45th. Phone: 694-6700; E-mail: webmaster@fremontpublic.org.

LAKE CITY CHRISTMAS PROJECT:

Since 1986, this volunteer group has been collection donations of gifts, toys, and food baskets for children who are not served by other major giving agencies. Last Christmas, the project served 525 children and their families.

Phone: 684-7526.

NORTH HELPLINE:

The purpose of this volunteer group is to assist families and individuals in Northeast Seattle who are in crisis to help stabilize their lives by offering information and referrals to appropriate resources, emergency food, client advocacy and/or emergency financial assistance. Donations and volunteers are needed.

Address: P.O. Box 25875, Seattle 98125.

Phone: 365-8043.

Museums

HISTORY HOUSE:

The History House, located under the Aurora Bridge in the Fremont District, is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of neighborhood history, with a series of rotating history exhibits of Seattle communities. The nonprofit volunteer-run organization is currently seeking to raise donations by selling custom-inscribed tiles that will be placed in the History House.

Address: 790 N. 34th. Phone: 675-8875.

KALAKALA FOUNDATION:

This citizens group is seeking donations and volunteers to restore the historic Kalakala ferry, which it hopes to turn into a maritime museum/meeting facility.

Phone: 632-0540.

NORDIC HERITAGE MUSEUM:

Address: 3014 NW 67th, Seattle 98117;

Phone: 789-5707.

Centers

PHINNEY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION:

The PNA is a nonprofit membership-based community organization run by the neighborhood. The association operates the Phinney Neighborhood Center, which is used to hold classes, community events and an art gallery. The PNA is currently seeking donations to pay for much needed renovations to the center.

Address: 6532 Phinney Ave. N.

Phone: 783-2244.

Parks

FRIENDS OF MERIDIAN PLAYFIELD:

This community group is currently seeking donations and volunteers to renovate a neighborhood playground facility located at Meridian Park (next to the Good Shepherd Center at 50th and Meridian).

Phone: 545-3715 or 986-2806;

E-mail: eskuh@uswest.net.

FRIENDS OF VIEW RIDGE PLAYFIELD:

This community group is seeking donations and volunteers to make improvements to the View Ridge Playfield.

Address: P.O. Box 15103, Seattle 98115;

E-mail: neurichmond@mindspring.com.

CEDAR PARK PROJECT:

This community group is seeking donations and volunteers to complete the creation of a two-acre neighborhood park located at 37th Ave. NE and NE 135th.

Address: 3737 NE 135th, Seattle 98125;

Phone: 365-1032.

GREEN LAKE PARK ALLIANCE:

This nonprofit community group's mission is stewardship, education and long-term planning to preserve Green Lake Park. The group's current project is seeking ways to permanently restore the water quality of Green Lake. Volunteers and contributions are needed.

The group is also raising funds by selling a Green Lake history calendar. A form is included below.

Address: 8061 Densmore Ave. N, Seattle 98103. Phone: 985-9235.

THORNTON CREEK ALLIANCE:

This volunteer group is dedicated to the restoration of Thornton Creek, North Seattle's largest watershed. TCA seeks volunteers to participate in Saturday work parties.

Phone: 367-4635.

CARKEEK WATERSHED COMMUNITY ACTION PROJECT:

Local residents are urged to volunteer to help maintain Piper's Creek, which runs through Carkeek Park in Northwest Seattle.

Phone: 363-4116.

Theater

MUSIC CENTER OF THE NORTHWEST:

This nonprofit group describes itself as "Seattle's only Community Music School serving ages six months to 80+ years." The center, founded by director Janice Gockel, held its first official class in June 1989 in the basement of St. John Lutheran Church in the Phinney neighborhood. Twelve students attended. Today, the center serves 500 students and occupies an entire building, the former Oak Lake Baptist Church, at North 96th and Linden Ave. N., in the Greenwood neighborhood.

Phone: 526-8443; E-mail: www.mcnw.org.

NORTHWEST PUPPET CENTER:

The Carter Family Marionettes and their guest puppeteers entertain crowds of young and old alike with their handmade puppets. They even take their show on the road.

Address: 9123 15th Ave. NE.

Phone: 523-2579.

EMPTY SPACE THEATRE:

Empty Space is celebrating their 30th year this season.

Address: 3509 Fremont Ave. N.

Phone: 547-7500.

TAPROOT THEATRE:

Taproot is a Christian-based Theater specializing in spiritual productions.

Address: 204 N. 85th St.

Phone: 781-9707.

CIVIC LIGHT OPERA:

Ever wanted to be in showbiz? Here's your opportunity to support a group that showcases local talent. Anyone can try out for parts. Some even actually go on to Broadway.

Address: 11051 34th Ave. NE.

Phone: 363-2809.

Arts Councils

ARTS BALLARD:

This volunteer nonprofit community-based group is dedicated to preserving and promoting the visual, performing and literary arts, as well as the cultural heritage of the greater Ballard area.

Address: 2305 NW Market St., Seattle 98107; Phone: 789-8616.

FREMONT ARTS COUNCIL:

Address: Bradley K. Ehrlich, 648 NW 53rd St., Seattle 98107; Phone: 783-8002; E-mail: Bradleyehrlich@worldnet.att.net.

GREENWOOD ARTS COUNCIL:

The GAC is a community-based nonprofit group dedicated to promoting and encouraging an ongoing partnership between the visual and performing arts and the businesses and residents of Greenwood and Phinney Ridge.

Address: 8505 Greenwood Ave. N, Seattle 98103; Phone: 684-4096.

SAND POINT ARTS AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE (SPACE):

This volunteer group is seeking to convert several buildings in the former Sand Point Navel Base into usable space for community and cultural arts events. Donations and volunteers are needed.

Address: 7400 Sand Point Way.

Phone: 522-9529.

Other ideas?

Other good ideas for giving are your favorite area schools, churches, and libraries. If you'd like a North Seattle based charity listed, fax a description to 365-8492 by Dec. 10 and we'll try to list it in our next issue.