Editor’s note: updated October 2022
Adopt a family for the holidays. It’s a great way to help out, share your good fortune and teach your kids about generosity.
Some local programs and organizations around Seattle will happily accept your help.
[ See also: How to donate to holiday toy drives ]
Federal Way Cares for kids
This nonprofit serving families in the Federal Way School District calls its program Sponsor Christmas Morning. It accepts new, unwrapped toys (ages 3-11), $25 gift cards and monetary donations via Paypal or Venmo. In addition, it has an Amazon Wish List, from which items can be sent directly to the organization.
Wellspring Family Services
This Seattle community-service agency has launched its 2022 Giving Together holiday campaign to help families facing homelessness in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. It provides housing, early learning, trauma counseling and more. Wellspring will accept cash donations as well as new clothing and gifts from Nov. 15-Dec. 20.
Hopelink
Hopelink, the nonprofit serving families in north and east King County, is holding its annual “Lend a Hoping Hand” holiday campaign. It accepts cash donations that it will distribute to families in the form of gift cards. Here’s how to give to Hopelink.
Treehouse
Treehouse is dedicated to helping kids in the foster-care system. It provides everything from clothing to school supplies to toys. In addition, it helps children with expenses such as fees for programs. For 2022, Treehouse is doing a promotion called Treehouse Bingo, in which the squares represent ways to support youth in foster care. There are prizes for filling out the entire bingo card! For the holidays, Treehouse accepts monetary donations and also offers a way for families to host their own holiday collection drives.
[ Related: Treehouse won a prestigious national honor for its Graduation Success program ]
YWCA gift-giving program
YWCA’s holiday giving program helps more than 1,000 families annually in King and Snohomish counties. Here’s how it works for 2022: First, YWCA requests that people register by Nov. 30 to be matched with a family. The YWCA would like to give each family the following (and they asked that it by postmarked by Dec. 12):
- A $150 gift card for groceries for the head of the household
- Two $75 gift cards for each child to the two stores of their choice
Bellevue LifeSpring
Details coming Nov. 1 on the 2022 program. This agency has changed its holiday-giving program. Here’s how it works for 2021: Wellspring invites people to “sponsor a student” by providing $300 in gift cards as follows: $100 from the child’s wish list; $100 from a grocery store; $100 gift card to provide clothing essentials. Donated gift cards must be dropped off at LifeSpring by Monday, Dec. 6 (2021), for distribution. LifeSpring works with the Bellevue School District Family Connection Center, which will deliver the gift cards directly to students through a discreet and respectful process. (Priority to be given to families experiencing homelessness or living in foster care.) Here are details on how to give.
The Forgotten Children’s Fund
Waiting for 2022 information: Forgotten Children’s Fund volunteers raise funds (here’s how to donate) to purchase, wrap and deliver gifts to kids and their families (in Seattle and beyond) who are in need. They are gearing up for a 2021 operation with COVID precautions and lots of enthusiasm. Here’s how to volunteer at the “North Pole.” FCF’s story, by the way, will melt your heart.
More ways to put heart in your holidays:
Places your family can volunteer during the holidays, or anytime
5 simple ways to teach kids the volunteering spirit
