My husband, Tim, and I are honored to serve as Co-Chairs for the Mary’s Place No Child Sleeps Outside campaign this year because we truly believe that every child deserves the safety, comfort, and dignity of a warm bed—and that together we can make that a reality.
Tonight, hundreds of families in our community will go to sleep in cars, tents, or outside. Thousands more are at risk of losing their homes. These are not strangers—they are our neighbors and co-workers.
Mary’s Place is a lifeline. Last year, they provided emergency shelter, mobile outreach, and prevention services to more than 1,700 families, including nearly 3,200 children. They helped 1,128 families move into or stay in stable housing. But the need is growing, and they cannot do it alone. Each day, 50-60 families call the intake line asking for help Mary’s Place is only able to provide safe shelter and a warm bed to just one or two.
This is where Seattle’s Child readers come in. Any gift—no matter the size—directly provides safe shelter, hot meals, and critical services families need to move from crisis to stability.
Here’s what your donations can do:
- $25 covers getting a copy of child’s birth certificate, required for rental applications.
- $68 provides a night of safety and warmth for a child
- $100 enables the shelter intake and healthcare coordination for a family with a medically fragile child
- $500 supports ten families sleeping outside with resources to purchase groceries, gas, and necessities
- $1,000 provides the resources to make a cozy home for six newly housed families each week
Even small donations add up: A $5 donation to Mary’s Place may not pay for a whole night of shelter or a big service by itself — but it adds to the vital fund that keeps their shelters open, meals running, and staff available.
Sometimes it’s helpful to here the story of a neighbor in need to understand how much even a small donation helps.
Readers’ gifts will help our neighbors, co-workers, and even our children’s classmates.
Take action: Join Tim and I in supporting Mary’s Place by making a donation to the No Child Sleeps Outside campaign before December 31. Together, we can ensure that no child sleeps outside.
