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closeOut our way: Many ways to donate during a season of giving
Colleen Slater
guest columnist
Thanksgiving is past, but our awareness of all we are grateful for is still with us.
Although we complain that we don’t have enough money for this or that, there are many in our communities who have even less. Those without a job, without a home, those with disabilities or severe illness, those who’ve recently lost a loved one.
Our holiday season is a time to reach out and give what we can to others.
Local food banks are in greater need than normal this year. Many organizations ask for donations to a food bank in lieu of ticket prices, or ask their members to contribute something at their December meeting.
The Family Resource Center (also known as Children’s Home Society) at the Key Peninsula Civic Center in Vaughn accepts new clothing and toys for its Holiday Helpers program.
“Gently used” clothing and toys are welcome at any time during the year, and if you have good household items to donate, see if they have a client who can use them. The center can be reached at 253-884-5433.
Longbranch Improvement Club’s Kids ‘n’ Christmas accepts donations of new toys or money at the door or prior to the event on Dec. 20. To contact the organization, call 253-884-9157.
You can donate “gently used” clothing to many places: schools that maintain a “clothing bank” for their students; Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church for inmates at the Washington Corrections Center for Women who are about to be released and want to interview for jobs; Angel Guild; SAVE Thrift Store or Goodwill.
Some churches, including Lakebay Community Church (253-884-3899) accept food, clothing and blankets for their ministry programs. Check others near you.
The Key Peninsula Veterans Institute will hold its “Trees of Sharing” drive for veterans’ gifts at American Lake Veterans Hospital. Gift tags can be picked up and gifts returned to Bridgeway Market, Purdy Cost Less, Key Center Peninsula Market and Homeport Restaurant.
The Cootiettes have made 550 gift bags this year for veterans at American Lake and Retsil veterans homes, as well as Rocky Bay Nursing Home. Donations of candy, toothpaste and soap are welcome.
They plan to deliver on Dec. 15, so they’ll need the fillings about a week before. For more information, call 253-884-3738 or 253-884-4346.
Check a convalescent home near you to see if they have people who could use a gift.
Cinde’s Best Trees, at the corner of state Route 302 and 94th Street in Wauna, donates 25 trees annually to needy families. This year, she’s coordinating with Tides Realty. If you know of someone who can’t afford a Christmas tree, call 253-857-2151, or buy a tree at Cinde’s or one of the other local lots and gift a family yourself.
Invite someone who has no family nearby to a Christmas performance at Peninsula High School, Paradise or Encore! theaters, or a musical concert or Christmas program at local churches.
Magical Strings performs at McColley Hall at the Key Peninsula Lutheran Church at 7 p.m. Dec. 10, and the Key Singers’ annual Christmas concert will be at 3 p.m. Dec. 13 at the same location. Both are free, but donations (food or money) for the Key Peninsula Community Services Food Bank are suggested.
Mike and Joyce Salatino are working on their annual Christmas dinner for seniors who are alone on Christmas. They accept money donations for food and gifts. To donate, mail checks to the Salatinos at P.O. Box 640, Wauna, WA 98395. Anyone who wishes to volunteer or knows an eligible senior and call 253-884-5608. Reservations must be in by Dec. 20.
Send a card or help fund a Christmas package to a military person overseas. If you don’t know any, ask your friends or a church.
Volunteer some time if you don’t have extra money. Many organizations and schools welcome volunteers.
Merry Christmas to all!