Apart from caroling, Christmas cookies and mistletoe, the holiday season seems to spark a greater awareness for some about those less fortunate than themselves.
And some people don't just think about it, they do something about it.
With the Sharing Gift Box Holiday Giving Program, the Seattle Center is helping to fulfill the wishes and needs of low-income populations. This year, Seattle Center Foundation partnered with 14 community organizations who either serve low-income children, teens or seniors.
"Those individuals say 'This is my wish and this is my need'; they're very specific," said Todd Burley, Seattle Center communications director. "We go and get the exact gift they want, or an individual can purchase the gifts, and we wrap it and have it delivered to the organizations December 22."
So far, 950 people have been served this year, which amounts to nearly 2,000 gifts. With an average of $75 per person that's about $71,250 worth of donations.
"It's a pretty unique program because it's so specific. We really work to make sure people are getting the wish they'd like to have," Burley said. "And we make sure all the bits and pieces are with it so when they open it up it's ready to roll and they don't have to put more money toward the gift they've been given."
For example, if a child wishes for a bike, that child will receive a bike and all of the necessary gear, such as a helmet and bike lock.
But if not all the needs and wishes are fulfilled by donations, then the Seattle Center Foundation purchases the remaining gifts out of its budget.
"We're a very small organization at the moment so it's better if we don't have to fill those needs and wishes leftover," Burley said, "but the thing about Sharing Gift Box is we're completely committed to getting these gifts to people who need them, so we're willing to guarantee that."
In its more than 20 years of existence, the Foundation often has to fill in the gaps but Burley hopes with more awareness that the program will be able to serve even more individuals in need without dipping into the Foundation's budget.
To contribute to this program, people can go online and choose gifts to purchase or donate money to the program's fund. The other way to get involved is by going to the Center House and selecting one of the giving cards directly.
While some programs offer ways to lend a helping land locally, like the Sharing Gift Box and Queen Anne Helpline, others are looking to make a difference in the lives of others across the globe.
At the Queen Anne Baptist Church, members participated in Operation Christmas Child - a program that disperses gifts to needy children all over the world. Participants decorate shoeboxes, fill each box with gifts and then wrap it as a Christmas present. Millions of shoeboxes are collected every year during the holiday season for the program.
Students at St. Anne School are raising money to help purchase new cribs and mattresses for the nursery at Osu Children's Home, the largest government run orphanage in Accra, Ghana. Earlier this year, St. Anne teachers traveled to the orphanage to organize a library and develop reading programs for the orphans - where they discovered the cribs and mattresses were visibly infested with mold.
Each of the 260 students made a tin with a safety pin attached. The goal for each student is to earn five beads, each valued at $1 and each representing one of the five basic necessities of the children at the orphanage. Those necessities are food and water, love of friendship and family, respect for self and others, health and shelter, and tools to dream and grow.
"The kids have really embraced this whole project," said St. Anne vice principal Mary Sherman. "They really understand these kids are in desperate need."
With about 40 faculty and staff also participating, Sherman estimates more than $1,200 will be raised, if everyone collects at least five beads.[[In-content Ad]]
