Want to help out this season? Here are a couple of newly added giving opportunities sent to Patch:
U-Top it in Covington has set up a drop box to help replenish over $6,000 worth of toys that were stolen from the YWCA. The toys were donated to provide Christmas for hundreds of children through the YWCA, and were stolen this past weekend. Please consider donating a toy. We will have a drop box at the U Top It shop or toys may be dropped off at Passage Point or 2820 E. Cherry St, Seattle – The deadline is this Friday, Dec. 14.
Hoops-n-Toys! Support Starlight Children’s Foundation and bring a new, unwrapped toy to the next three Eastside Catholic basketball games and admission is free. Tonight (Dec. 11), varsity boys tip off at 7:30 p.m. vs. Seattle Prep; Friday night (12/14) varsity girls tip off 6:15 p.m. and varsity boys tip off 8:00 p.m. vs. Nathan Hale.
Eastside Fire & Rescue’s (EF&R) Fire Station 76 volunteers will be driving through the communities of Tiger Mountain, May Valley, and the Four Lakes and Mirrormont developments on Sunday, Dec. 16, between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m. to collect toys and food this holiday season.
Every year, the fire engine is dressed with blinking lights and a special banner wishing the citizens of EF&R a safe and happy holiday season. Rudolph and his blinking nose have become so popular we often receive inquiries from the public asking when Rudolph will be driving through their neighborhood.
You can help a needy family this holiday season by donating to the Reindeer Engine or dropping off a food item or new unwrapped toy at any of our staffed fire stations.
Want to help out this holiday? Here's a rundown of several other local groups with upcoming or ongoing charitable activities:
Toys for Tots at Sammamish Police Department:
Residents can really brighten the holidays for needy kids by dropping off presents at City Hall. Collection bins are available at the police department (just inside the front door of City Hall) and at the King County Sheriff's Office (just up the stairs as you enter the building).
The presents (new, unwrapped items only, please) ultimately go to the U.S. Marine Corps for distribution. Thanks to the leadership of Deputy Amy Jarboe, Toys for Tots has become an annual success story here in Sammamish.
"I've been seeing this generosity from Sammamish residents for years now," Jarboe said. "It really helps the kids have a nice holiday season, and I know it brings a lot of joy to those of us in uniform."
Donations will be taken at Sammamish City Hall, 801 228th Ave. S.E., until the end of business on Dec. 14.
You can also drop toys off for Toys for Tots at the Coffee Miner, 6420 East Lake Sammamish Pkwy SE, in Issaquah.
Toys for Troops with Issaquah Police Department
Issaquah Police Department is once again partnering with Operation Bald Eagle to collect new toys and clothes for fallen soldier and military families in need. In 2011, Issaquah police and the community contributed more than 450 new toys for those in need.
You can drop off your donation of new toys or clothes at the Issaquah Police Department’s records window, 130. E. Sunset Way, through Dec. 15, 2012.
Our Kids Helping Local Hungry Kids - Pantry Packs
Tuesday, December 4, 2012, 3:00 pm Beaver Lake Park, SE 24th St & 244th Ave SE
Join Pantry Packs with the whole family in packing bags of food for Pantry Packs. Kids as yound as 3 will be packing bags.
Pantry Packs, is a local non-profit charity with the goal of keeping hungry kids fed. There are young kids in our own community without enough food at home over the weekends and long holiday breaks.
December CASH MOB at White Horse Toys
Wednesday, December 5, 2012, 10:00 am, 317 NW Gilman Blvd, Issaquah
The last MOB of the 2012 year will be at WHITE HORSE TOYS in Gilman Village! This BOGO (Buy one, GIVE one) event will also support the Wounded Warrior Project! Get pictures with Santa, help make the holiday happier for the children of our heroes, and support an iconic local business!
Benefit Concert at the Teen Center
Benefit Concert featuring SCINITE and opening acts Dylan and Mark & Mixed Company. Saturday, December 8th, 7pm-9pm at the Sammamish EX3 Teen Center (825 228th Ave Ne Sammamish, 98074). $3 to get in or $2 w/can food donation to support the Issaquah Food Bank.
Sears Hometown Store Food Drive for Food Cupboard of North Bend
This holiday season, consider shopping at local stores that are giving back to the community such as the North Bend Sears Hometown Store. Now through Dec. 29, customers are encouraged to bring in a non-perishable item and participate in the store’s food drive. All of the food will be donated to the Food Cupboard of North Bend. In return, each customer will receive $5 off a purchase of $50 or more.
Is your group or organization holding a benefit for local charities this holiday? Add your event or announcement on Patch and email the link to jeanne.gustafson@patch.com for inclusion in our list here (and if you've already done so and we missed it, let us know!)
