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BY AMY FLOWERS UMBLE

The holiday season has arrived in full force. And between children's concerts, stuffing stockings on a budget and choosing a gift for Grandma, there's bound to be stress.

Reports have shown that charity reduces stress. So if you're looking to get rid of some of that holiday anxiety, here are some opportunities to help Fredericksburg-area residents:

The Angel Cookies program creates an annual cookie-decorating party for area homeless children: Set up for the Fredericksburg party Dec. 11, or help with the festivities Dec. 12. For information, e-mail designadvice@aol .com.

Arc of the Rappahannock helps people with developmental disabilities: Buy, wrap or distribute gifts. 540/899-3789 or aa@arcr .vacoxmail.com.

The Boys and Girls Club gives gifts to at-risk youths at its annual party: Help with the festivities Dec. 16, 4-7 p.m. 540/368-9531.

Chaplin Youth Center helps at-risk teens: Help with grounds and minor building repairs. 540/371-0590 or
Email: tanyaboozer@aol.com.

Home Instead Senior Care provides an annual Be a Santa to a Senior program to give gifts to needy elderly residents: Organize, sort, wrap or deliver gifts. 540/899-1422 or jquerry @homeinstead.com.

The Salvation Army runs an annual Angel Tree program to give gifts to needy children: Set up, sort or distribute gifts. 540/373-3431 or christine_
Email: harris@uss.salvationarmy.org.

The Salvation Army's Red Kettle program raises money to support needy families: Ring bells at kettles placed outside area stores. 540/604-5824 or wendy_
Email: cooper@uss.salvation army.org.

SERVE provides emergency help for families in crisis: Sort and distribute donations at the Stafford County agency. 540/288-9603.

Thurman Brisben Center shelters homeless families and residents: Organize and wrap presents for shelter residents. 540/899-9853, ext. 19, or
Email: klally@brisbencenter.org.

American Red Cross Rappahannock Chapter holds an annual Letters to Santa program to provide gifts for needy area children: Sponsors fulfill wish lists for children. 540/735-0500 or
Email: mcbridep@usa.redcross.org.

Angel Cookies: Donate small toys, candy canes, holiday decorations, hot chocolate or candy;
Email: designadvice@aol.com.

Arc of the Rappahannock seeks sponsors to fulfill wish lists: Donate store gift cards, gifts for boys and girls, wrapping paper and bows. 540/899-3789 or
Email: aa@arcr.vacoxmail.com.

The Boys and Girls Club needs gifts for children in kindergarten through high school, especially gifts for teens. 540/368-9531.

Chaplin Youth Center seeks teen hygiene products, teen board games, teen DVDs rated PG and PG-13 only, scarves and gloves, craft supplies, school supplies, clock radios and portable CD players.

The Fredericksburg Department of Social Services provides gifts for needy city children. It needs toys for children ages 2-12 and sponsors to fulfill specific wish lists. 540/372-1032, ext. 249.

Hope House helps homeless women and children, and seeks sponsors to fulfill shelter residents' wish lists. 540/371-0831 or anita
Email: downey@hopehouseva.org.

Micah Ecumenical Ministries serves the area's homeless and those at risk. It needs adult underwear, white crew or tube socks, toiletries, feminine hygiene products, batteries, thermal underwear, hand warmers, gloves and warm hats.

Donations may be dropped off in special carts located at Giant on U.S. 17 in Stafford; the Stafford County Sheriff's Office; and the Sunken Well Tavern in Fredericksburg. Call for other locations. 540/479-4116.

Peace Lutheran Church in King George County seeks new or gently used coats and shoes for people in need. 540/775-9131.

Project LINK helps moms and moms-to-be who are at risk for drug use. It needs diapers, pull-ups, baby wipes, baby blankets, baby and toddler clothes, toddler and preschool books. 540/891-3132 or gknight@racsb .state.va.us.

The Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging helps area seniors, and needs a small, 0.7-cubic-foot microwave as well as gift cards from area grocery stores. 540/371-3375 or
Email: pholland@raaa16.org.

The Rappahannock Council on Domestic Violence helps abuse victims, and seeks hygiene items for women and children, cleaning supplies, holiday gifts for women and children, winter hats, coats and gloves, gift cards from area stores, diapers, pull-ups, new blankets, comforters and long twin-bed sheets, and new children's pajamas. Donations are needed by Dec. 14. 540/373-9372 or kristianap@rcdv .com.

The Salvation Army seeks sponsors to take angels from Angel Trees and buy presents. It also needs a commercial shredder, digital coin counter, office furniture and commercial kitchen supplies. Angel Trees can be found at BJ's, Spotsylvania Towne Center, area Walmart stores and area Giant stores. 540/373-3431, ext. 206, or jamie_
Email: smith@uss.salvation army.org.

SECA serves families in crisis in Spotsylvania County. It needs grape jelly, peanut butter, green teas, canned beans, cereal, canned carrots, canned mixed vegetables, soups, tuna, beef stew, boxes of macaroni and cheese. 540/582-2465.

The Spotsylvania Department of Social Services seeks sponsors to fulfill wish lists of needy families. 540/507-7896 or lmw177@central .dss.state.va.us.

Stafford Department of Social Services helps needy county residents and seeks food, gift cards, new clothes and toys. 540/658-8730.

The Thurman Brisben Center wants canned foods, paper towels, toilet paper, 39-gallon trash bags, cleaning supplies, cereal and holiday gifts for children. 540/899-9853, ext. 19, or
Email: klally@brisbencenter.org.

The Westmoreland County Department of Social Services distributes holiday gifts to needy county residents. It needs gifts for children, especially ages 8-12, wrapping paper, gift bags and gift cards for area stores. 804/493-9305 or joseph .
Email: howell@dss.virginia.gov.

--From interviews and Rappahannock United Way's annual holiday helping guide, online at rappahan nockunitedway.org.

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