Families, veterans and transitional youth were among those helped by local groups during this holiday season.

The La Jolla Coldwell Banker office started its season of giving early with a Food Drive to benefit students classified as "in transition" by the San Diego Unified School District. Transitional students are those who are experiencing homelessness, living in foster care or are children of military parents.

Broker Katie Dunahoo mentioned that it was Coldwell Banker's 15th annual food drive and that "it is a wonderful project" to help the students. Over 100 students and their families were provided food boxes.

Resource teacher Susan Kellett thanked Coldwell Banker for their efforts, saying they "made a positive difference in [the students] lives" and they "truly embrace the meaning of the holidays."

The local VA Hospital, as part of the VA San Diego Healthcare System, continued its annual Care & Share Food Drive as a way to thank veterans for their service to our country. Approximately 800 families are helped through the program, which was created to provide a balanced, nutritious and complete holiday meal for veterans and their families. Recipients are selected by whether they have received care in the past three years and identified by the VA's Social Work Service department as needing a little help during the holidays.

UC San Diego's Alpha Phi Omega, a national co-ed community service fraternity, continued its Operation Santa project, which started in 2007, by providing toys and presents to three families. This year's Operation Santa volunteer committee helped 57 families from all over San Diego County. Committee members start in the summer preparing for the Christmas deliveries. Families selected included those who have been unemployed, been foreclosed upon or have medical issues.

Besides Alpha Phi Omega, the entire UC San Diego campus has been encouraged to help during the holiday season, and throughout the rest of the academic calendar year, through the Volunteer50 program. As part of UC San Diego's 50th anniversary celebration, students, staff, alumni and university friends are requested to perform at least 50 hours of volunteer service.

Some of those service hours included working with Toys for Tots, collecting toys for the children at the UC San Diego Burn Center and obtaining clothing for the Veteran's Village of San Diego. Those interested in pledging 50 hours of service can register at volunteer50.ucsd.edu.

It's not too late to continue the spirit of giving. The following establishments are still collecting donations to help those who could use a helping hand during this holiday season.

Coat and Jacket Drive: Beaumont's and Brockton Villa join up to collect new or gently used coats and jackets, adult sizes only, to be delivered to the Alpha Project on Christmas Eve. Around since 1986, the Alpha Project (alphaproject.org) helps serve over 2,000 homeless men, women and children every day. Drop off at Beaumont's at 5662 La Jolla Blvd. or Brockton Villa at 1235 Coast Blvd.

Food Bank Collections: Design Studio West is collecting canned fruits, veggies, meats, dry cereals and baby cereals to help put a holiday meal on the table for those in need. Donations will be delivered to the San Diego Food Bank on Dec. 23. Drop off at Design Studio West at 7424 Girard Ave.

Heating and Patio Furniture: The Social Service League of La Jolla, at the Darington House, wish list for the holidays is something simple—a heater/air conditioning unit for the dining room, and new patio furniture and umbrellas for their two patios. The League subsidizes affordable housing for 50 senior citizens. Terracotta pots and plant donations would also be appreciated so that residents can enjoy the usual beautiful outdoor weather and landscape. Contact the League at 858-454-8231.

Toys and Clothes: Barbarella Restaurant is collecting new toys, clothes, batteries or as they say "whatever you want to donate" to benefit Promise2Kids. Originally founded in 1981 as the Child Abuse Prevention Foundation of San Diego County, Promise2Kids fights against child abuse and neglect. Drop off at Barbarella Restaurant at 2171 Avenida de La Playa.

Annual Giving: Monetary donations are always helpful, especially when funds go toward youth programs. The La Jolla YMCA's annual giving campaign is ongoing and benefits youth after-school literacy, mentoring and sports programs. Give at lajolla.ymca.org.