GIVING
Camp Fire USA kids donate toys
The Camp Fire USA Snohomish County Council ran its second annual Giving Tree toy drive for local foster children.
Camp Fire USA members donated more than 100 gifts, including bicycles and skateboards.
The Flying Unicorns Camp Fire USA club of Stanwood supported the Giving Tree toy drive and their community. The Stanwood club chose to shop at Character Traits Gift Shop in downtown Stanwood as a way to support small local businesses.
Fire District 7 donates gifts
Firefighters and staff at Snohomish County Fire District 7 recently helped to support 15 local families.
Each of Fire District 7’s fire stations, based in Clearview, adopted two to three families in need, buying them holiday gifts they wouldn’t otherwise be able to give their children.
“We were thrilled to be able to provide so many gifts for families in our own community,” said Lt. Joe Basta, who organizes the annual gift drive. “We love being able to help our own neighbors every year.”
Everett Elks deliver gifts to veterans
Everett Elks members and their families traveled to the Seattle Veterans Hospital to deliver 150 Christmas stockings to veterans.
The group spent a month filling the stockings with sugar-free candy, fruit juice, jerky, chips, stamps, pens, phone cards, athletic socks, scarves and gloves. Children involved with the project made cards that were delivered and one member made snowman earrings that also were given away.
Sailors feed families at Salvation Army
Sailors assigned to Naval Station Everett volunteered at the Everett Salvation Army food bank Dec 12. They helped food bank staff prepare meals, set up dining areas and distribute food to families.
Betty Mastrude, the fellowship meal program coordinator at the Everett Salvation Army food bank, appreciated the sailors coming out to volunteer.
“It’s great when sailors come to our events because they are excited to be here,” Mastrude said. “They are happy to help and volunteer their time.”
People assigned to Naval Station Everett donate their time to the food bank four or five times a year, Mastrude said.
Local restaurants and grocery stores supported the event with food donations, she said.
Arlington Santa run a success
Arlington’s annual Santa Run collected 6,500 pounds of food and almost $900 for the Arlington Community Food Bank.
The event brought Santa to neighborhoods throughout the city as firefighters collected donations.
This year’s Santa Run ended Dec. 16 and was organized by the Arlington Firefighters Local 3728. It lasted for 13 nights and covered over 40 road miles.
Volunteers from the Arlington Fire Department, local service clubs, city employees and their families, and residents in 2011 donated more than 455 hours to the Santa Run. Decorations for the event were donated by Arlington Hardware and Walmart stores.
Grants aid Operation School Bell
The Assistance League of Everett recently received several grants.
Donations of $5,000 from the Glaser Foundation in Bellevue; $6,500 from Fred Meyer Stores in Portland, Ore.; $20,000 from the Medina Foundation in Seattle; and $20,000 from the EverTrust Foundation in Everett will go toward funding Operation School Bell.
The nonprofit at 5107 Evergreen Way runs the program that provides school clothes for needy children.
Donation buys beds for children
The Coastal Community Employee Giving Fund at Greater Everett Community Foundation recently donated $1,000 to the St. Vincent de Paul North Sound Council.
The money will go toward the organization’s Beds for Children Program that provides beds for children in need.
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