EVERETT — Gwendelynn Nelson does what it takes to make sure her family has a good Christmas.
This year, that meant standing 17 hours in near-freezing temperatures so she can put presents under the tree for her three youngest children.
Nelson, who wore three parkas and a fuzzy pink hat, waited with more than 600 other people Friday night for a chance to shop for free gifts at Christmas House, a nonprofit that gives away toys and clothing to needy families.
“Christmas House means the difference between giving them something really awesome, new and beautiful — and nothing,” said Nelson as she waited early Saturday morning. “It’s a huge blessing.”
The demand is unprecedented in Christmas House’s 27-year history, said Rick Kvangnes, president of the nonprofit.
The charity opened Friday and 400 people had lined up outside. Saturday morning, the line was even longer. It snaked more than a quarter-mile through a nearby apartment complex’s parking lot. Hundreds waited overnight wrapped in sleeping bags and huddled around camping stoves.
Volunteers at Christmas House are hoping people will reach deep and donate to help them meet the need this year.
The charity that started in 1981 in a Snohomish County garage now easily fills the gymnasium at the Everett Boys &Girls Club.
In a few days, volunteers have turned the gym into a department store with round racks of clothing and tables filled with toys and household goods. Behind an area cordoned off with white tarps are stacks of more toys and clothes. Volunteers keep tables filled with goods so every shopper has plenty of choices. Christmas music hums in the background.
All the new toys and bikes come from people, other charities and businesses in the area, even the bright yellow tire bags from Les Schwab the presents get sent home in.
An army of 600 volunteers help. That includes one senior citizen who knitted 900 scarves by hand and a doorman who travels to the area for the holiday season just so he can shepherd shoppers through the door. He hands them chocolate from his army fatigue jacket pockets as they stream through.
Serving as a volunteer has become a holiday tradition for many, including Hope Kingstad of Everett, who used 80 hours of her vacation to help. She planned to work 12 hours straight Saturday. She doesn’t mind.
“It’s hard to be a kid and not get a present at Christmas,” she said.
Christmas House begins collecting toys and clothing the day after Christmas for the following holiday. More than 99 percent of the money collected by the nonprofit goes towards gifts. The emphasis is on dignity and Christmas House wants each family to have new toys and clothing, Kvangnes said.
“We’re not an agency,” he said. “We’re doing this because we love to do this.”
The people who use Christmas House have to be a resident of Snohomish County and have children aged 18 or younger living in their custody. They have to provide documentation that proves 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.
Last year, the charity served 2,900 families.
Vera Pisarenko of Everett and her family were some of the first in line to shop Saturday morning. The mother, who emigrated from Russia a decade ago, works as a caregiver to support her 2- and 3-year-old daughters. She pushed a cart through the gym, choosing crayons and dolls for her girls. “I can’t afford to buy them presents,” she said.
Dozens who waited were turned away. The charity holds a double shift on Saturdays, staying open until 8 p.m. but it can only serve about 400. Those who couldn’t get in can come back. Christmas House is open every day until Dec. 20 except Sundays.
Jennifer DeFoer of Everett sat on the curb early Saturday morning sipping a soda and waiting for her 10 a.m. appointment to shop at Christmas House. She’s raising 5- and 7-year-old boys on her own. They don’t know mom had to stand outside all night to make sure Santa delivers their presents.
“I love them that much,” she said. “It’s just me and I’ve got to make it work some how.”
Reporter Debra Smith: 425-339-3197 or dsmith@heraldnet.com.
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