December 2007
Places to Volunteer and Give
Seattle and King County
Peace for the Streets by Kids from the Streets: Program for teens to help other teens, providing support and services for homeless youth; 206-726-8500; www.psks.org.
Union Gospel Mission: Volunteer opportunities for all ages, from serving meals to tutoring; 206-723-0767; www.ugm.org.
Jewish Family Services of Seattle: Food bank welcomes younger volunteers; 206-461-3240, ext. 3155; www.jfsseattle.org.
Earth Corps: Environmental stewardship programs restoring parks and open spaces for students ages 13-18; 206-322-9296; www.earthcorps.org.
Team Read: High schoolers tutor second- and third-graders in reading in after-school Seattle Public Schools program; 206-252-2966; www.teamread.com.
United Way of King County-Youth Connection:
Students take a personality quiz and choose from dozens of local agencies
seeking volunteers; 206-461-3655;
www.unitedwayofkingcounty.org/volunteer/youth.
Teen Hope: Teens and adults train in mediation skills to help families in conflict in the Shoreline area; 206-546-1010; www.teenhopewa.org.
Solid Ground (formerly the Fremont Public Association):
Needs families to organize community food drives (diapers and
formula are always needed, too); 206-694-6825;
www.fremontpublic.org.
Ballinger Homes Family Support Center, a program of the Center for Human Services: BHFSC works with low-income families, mainly immigrants from Africa, the Middle East and the Ukraine. The program requests gift certificates for local grocery stores and bus tickets, as well as emergency food bags with healthy foods such as nuts and whole grains. Mark gift cards and food to the attention of “Tamara” and mail or deliver them to 17018 15th Ave. N.E., Shoreline, 98155. 206-362-2842.
Snohomish County Area
The ARC of Snohomish County - Advocates for the Rights of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities: This holiday season, ARC needs clothing and household items, as well as LEGO® toys and monetary donations, to help with the continuation of their LEGO club for children with disabilities, siblings, parents and friends. 425-258-2459; www.arcsno.org.
Bridgeways: This nonprofit agency serves adults in Snohomish County with severe and persistent mental illness. The organization is looking for donations of clothing, bus passes and gift cards. Items such as utensils, plates, dishes and furniture are required on an as-needed basis. Call before donating: 425-513-8213; www.bridgeways.org.
Clothes for Kids: Until recently Clothes for Kids provided eligible children in the Edmonds school district with clothing. This year the organization opened its door to all low-income children who qualify in Snohomish County. Kids up to middle school age can volunteer at Clothes for Kids work parties. They and others can organize clothing drives for new underwear and socks for men, women and children. There is an ongoing need for backpacks, school supplies and clothes. This year Clothes for Kids has an urgent need for new or gently used winter coats and athletic shoes. 425-670-7285; www.clothesforkids.org.
PAWS: Progressive Animal Welfare Society: PAWS needs donations of toys for cats and dogs, canned dog and cat food (Wellness, Nutro and Science Diet brands), dry dog and cat food (Sensible Choice, Nutro Max and Science Diet brands), KMR kitten formula, Advantage and Frontline brand flea medications for cats and dogs, and gift cards to local area stores for additional home improvement and animal care supplies. 425-787-2500; www.paws.org.
Cocoon House: The nonprofit organization serves runaway and homeless teens ages 13 to 17 throughout Snohomish County. This holiday season, Cocoon House needs cash donations and gift cards. 425-259-5802; www.cocoonhouse.org.
Deaconess Children’s Services: This group has been serving Snohomish County children and families for 115 years. DCS is looking for individual and team sponsors to support their “All Wrapped Up” holiday gift-giving program that allows community members to “adopt” a family in need. Other ways to help include: donations of new, unwrapped toys and clothing, gift certificates and cash contributions. 425-259-0146.
Pierce County
Adopt-A-Park/Adopt-A-Trail Program: These
year-round programs provide countywide opportunities for volunteers to
adopt sections of county parks or trails and provide regular maintenance.
Dig it!! Call Pierce County Parks at 253-798-4176.
Meals on Wheels: Deliver a meal and receive a smile.
Contact Lutheran Community Services Northwest; 253-272-8433; www.lcsnw.org.
St. Charles Borromeo Parish,
Tacoma: Each year the parish holds its December shoe drive and
welcomes donations from the community. Last year they collected more than
1,500 pairs of new shoes for people in need in Pierce County. Demand always
exceeds supply; 253-564-5185.
Tacoma Pierce County Habitat for Humanity: Can we build it? Young
people are invited to help build simple, decent affordable housing in
partnership with families in need. Volunteers must be 16 or older to work
on a construction site unless they have a waiver signed by a parent or
legal guardian; 253-627-5626; www.tpc-habitat.org.
YWCA Pierce County: Volunteer are needed to wrap gifts,
help in the office or serve dinners at the YWCA this holiday season; 253-272-4181,
ext. 264; JDevenuti@ywcapiercecounty.org; www.ywcapiercecounty.org.
St. Leo Food Connection, Tacoma: This outreach serves
more than 117,000 people and collects more than 1.5 million pounds of
food a year. Opportunities are available for families to help organize
and sort donations; 253-383-5048; www.foodconnection.org.
United Way of Pierce County: The organization connects
individuals, families, youth and groups with opportunities to share their
time and talents. The Season of Caring allows families to “Adopt-A-Family”
by providing holiday meals or gifts, to hold a toy or food drive or to
host a giving tree. Classrooms, book clubs, offices and multiple families
can also pitch in and help. Last year Adopt-A-Family made it possible
for more than 120 families to have a better Christmas, but some families
in need were turned away; 253-572-4357; www.uwpc.org.
Judith Gille, Christina Harper and Karen Irwin compiled this listing.
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