EVERETT — If you’d like to make a child happy on Christmas morning, here’s your chance.
Christmas House, a nonprofit that gives away toys and clothing to needy families, needs donations of new, unwrapped toys — now.
Today is the last day the charity is open, and toys are running low.
“We’re going to stay open until they quit coming or we run out of toys,” said Rick Kvangnes, president of the nonprofit.
Donations can be dropped off until 5 p.m. today at the Everett Boys &Girls Club, 2316 12th St.
Demand has never been greater in Christmas House’s 27-year history, Kvangnes said. Since the charity opened three weeks ago, it has been inundated with families down on their luck.
Hundreds of parents have stood in the cold, sometimes all night, waiting to choose toys so their children can have a good Christmas.
So far, Christmas House has served 8,500 Snohomish County children.
“I’m just amazed how many are there, even in these temperatures,” Kvangnes said. “It just shows the need.”
The nonprofit turned the gymnasium at the Everett Boys &Girls Club into a department store with round racks of clothing and tables filled with toys and household goods. One half of the gym, normally cornered off and stacked with gifts, is nearly empty.
“We’ve got enough space in the back to hold a dance,” volunteer Charlie Woods said.
She’s noticed a lot of first- timers this year.
“A lot of people have lost their jobs,” she said.
The charity needs toys for boys and girls ages 4 to 12. The charity is especially low on larger toys, such as dolls, trucks and balls. Games, remote-control cars and Transformers are on many children’s wish lists.
The people who use Christmas House must be Snohomish County residents with children 18 or younger living in their custody. They have to provide documentation proving the household income is at or below 150 percent of the poverty level, as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. That’s $42,000 or less for a two-parent family with four children.
Reporter Debra Smith: 425-339-3197 or dsmith@heraldnet.com.
How to help
This is the last day Christmas House is open. Bring new, unwrapped toys today to the gym at the Everett Boys &Girls Club, 2316 12th St.
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