RE/MAX Gold Coast Realtor Gillian Bartley is hosting a holiday toy drive through Nov. 15.

The community can drop off toys in the $10-$25 range at Bartley’s office at 5720 Ralston St., Suite 100, in Ventura. All toys collected will benefit military families through Operation Homefront.

“Military families deserve to receive exceptional service and care from us, the civilians and communities they are protecting and serving. Any way we can show we appreciate them matters. It’s important to give back and to teach our children to give back,” said Bartley.

Operation Homefront is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to build strong, stable, and secure military families so they can thrive — not simply struggle to get by — in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. Operation Homefront has earned Charity Navigator’s 4-Star rating for 11 consecutive years for superior service and accountability, and the Platinum level Transparency Seal from GuideStar.

Donated toys from Bartley’s drive are distributed to military children at Ventura-based military installations. Families will receive stocking stuffers from Operation Homefront’s various partnerships.

“Don’t forget that the children’s ages range from 0 to 18, so we are looking for toys and gift cards that can fit a wide range of ages and gender,” said Bartley. “Some ideas would be sports stuff, such as balls (basketball, soccer), art, bead and drawing kits, puzzles for a wide variety of ages and gift cards for the older children from places like Ulta, Sephora, iTunes, Starbucks and Barnes and Noble.”

EMPOWERING CAREGIVERS

Alzheimer’s Association Ventura County invites caregivers to its Sixth Annual Empowering the Caregiver Resource Fair.

The free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 3 at Oxnard Family Circle at 2100 Outlet Center Drive, Ste. 380, in Oxnard.

Vendors will present information about their services and answer questions about in-home care, residential care and legal issues to name a few.

Dr. James Sutton of Pacific Neuroscience Medical Group will be the keynote speaker.

Registration is required. RSVP by calling (800) 272-3900.

MELLON FOUNDATION FUNDS UCSB

UC Santa Barbara has received a five-year, $1.67 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support the “UC Santa Barbara Mellon Engaging Humanities Initiative,” which provides innovative learning experiences, mentoring and academic support for students in humanities disciplines.

“‘Engaging Humanities’ will enhance the pedagogical practices of current and future faculty and help them develop innovative curricular models to convey connections between humanistic study, real-world issues and rewarding career pathways,” said David Marshall, UC Santa Barbara’s executive vice chancellor.

The initiative also will improve the pedagogical training of graduate students in ways that will prepare them for a variety of teaching contexts and expand their career options.

CELEBRATE PHILANTHROPY DAY

The Association of Fundraising Professionals San Luis Obispo County Chapter will hold its fourth annual celebration of National Philanthropy Day on Nov. 15.

The AFP Philanthropist of the Year award will be presented to the Harold J. Miossi Charitable Trust and Trustee Howard Carroll at a luncheon from 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 333 Madonna Road in San Luis Obispo.

There will also be a special AFP President’s Award presented to Gil Stork, past president of Cuesta College, honoring his many contributions to creating a culture of philanthropy in San Luis Obispo County.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the event, visit afpsloco.afpnet.org or email afpsloco@gmail.com.

CLIMBING FOR A GOOD CAUSE

The Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse will host the 18th Annual Summit for Danny Community Climb for hikers at Elings Park in Santa Barbara on Oct. 28.

All funds raised will go to the Daniel Bryant Youth and Family Center, which helps teens overcome early addiction.

Operated by CADA and founded in 2001, the center provides safe, effective outpatient treatment for children ages 12-18 who are struggling with alcohol and other drug problems.

Last year’s event raised more than $100,000 for the treatment programs, serving 300 area teens annually.

Participants will have a choice of three different hiking trails from easy to advanced. A minimum pledge of $100 is required for adults to participate. For children ages 8-18, the minimum is $50, and kids under 7 hike for free.

This year’s event features a mini obstacle course from Titan Fitness in the center of the grove for kids to play on during the hike, as well as chair massage stations for the hikers. Live entertainment, a barbecue and an awards presentation will follow the hike.

For more information, go to www.cadasb.org.

• The Good Works column is a monthly roundup of nonprofit and philanthropy news in the Tri-Counties. Please submit items to grabinowitz@pacbiztimes.com.