Times may be tough, but it’s great to know that so many people care enough to help those in need.
Take the South Snohomish County Holiday Toy Shop, for example. That’s the annual event in which families sign up at food banks to receive donated toys for their kids.
Organizers were worried Dec. 13 after they gathered at Terrace Park School in Mountlake Terrace for the event’s 31st annual toy giveaway. Toys for Tots, the non profit that each year gathers toy donations had come up short this year. But some last minute publicity, boosted by a KOMO TV story, spurred the community into action.
“We had 594 families sign up, which told us there were 1,654 children we needed to have toys for,” said Luanne Kunz the YWCA’s community affairs coordinator for Snohomish County. Organizers feared they’d end up about 400 toys short. But 11th hour donations poured in, including $1,000 from an anonymous donor and no child was turned away.
“We’re just amazed at how many people came through,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Lynnwood-based Church of Recovery Baptist Church will hold a toy giveaway at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21 at the Martha Lake Community Club, 16300 Motor Place (just off 164t St. SW north of Wal-Mart.)
Pastor Raymond Hampton said he wanted people to know his congregation isn’t “just running around collecting food, toys and clothes and sitting on them. We’re actually doing something.”
The church developed after starting out as a recovery center for people with a variety of addictions.
Speaking of needs, the cold weather snap has spurred into action the The Emergency Shelter Network, will be open to homeless people through Dec. 29. Those needing shelter will be picked up and dropped off at the following locations at 7 p.m. and taken to area churches:
• Monday-Thursday, Lynnwood Library, 19200 44th Ave. W.
• Friday–Sunday, Fire Station 15, 18800 44th Ave. W., Lynnwood.
For more information on the South Snohomish County Emergency Shelter Network contact Eileen Hanson 425-478-9784.
Library receives grant for teen space
Sno-Isle Libraries has received a $16,500 grant from the Fred Meyer Fund. The money will be used to support the teen program at the Sno-Isle Libraries Mill Creek branch.
The Fred Meyer Fund grant will finance a teen space in the library, which will include additional shelving, furniture, carpeting, and paint. The Mill Creek Library does not currently have a separate area for teens. The Mill Creek Library is developing a Library Teen Advisory Board to provide input on how the grant money can be used to create this space. With the grant, staff will also purchase games and other activities for teens to use in the library. The Fred Meyer Fund assists nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping children and reducing hunger in communities served by 128 Fred Meyer stores in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Idaho. In 2007, the Fred Meyer Fund awarded $1.7 million in grants. Since its inception in 1998, the Fund has awarded more than $9 million in grants.
Senior center group meets in City Hall
The city appointed senior center advisory committee will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 5 in council chambers at City Hall to review all options with the goal of developing a Senior Center for the Mill Creek area. The advisory group is made up of three City Council members, two Senior Center Foundation board members and two citizen-at-large positions. Contact the city at 425-745-1891 for more information.
State council sponsors contest
Washington high school students with a disability have the opportunity to showcase their creativity and win a $250 Visa Gift Card in the “SILC Logo Contest.”
The Washington State Independent Living Council (SILC) is sponsoring the contest in recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which was in October.
Youth 13-20 years old who have a disability and attend high school or are home schooled in our state are eligible to enter. Logo design submissions will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Jan. 16, 2009. The winning design will become the new logo for the Washington State Independent Living Council and featured on all official announcements and letterhead.
Entries can be sent to SILC c/o Barbara Hathaway, Executive Assistant, P.O. Box 45353, Olympia, WA 98504-5343 or e-mailed to hathab@dshs.wa.gov. PDF is the preferred format for electronic entries.
The Independent Living Council advocates for independent living services and issues that impact people who have a disability. Every state is required to have an independent living council as part of the 1986 amendments to the Federal Rehabilitation Act.
Located in the Department of Social and Health Services’ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation offices in Lacey, the council monitors, reviews, and evaluates the State Plan for Independent Living and works closely with the Centers for Independent Living and other partners.
Members of the Independent Living Council will judge the entries for originality and quality.
Celebration of Lights ready for memories
In the spirit of giving, light a light this holiday season for someone you love, something you wish for, or in remembrance of a loved one.
A living fir tree is strung with lights and placed at the entrance of the Frances Anderson Center. Donate $5 per light and your name will be posted on the main floor bulletin board of the Frances Anderson Center. Names will be posted on the bulletin board the first week of December.
Each light you light is a donation to the City of Edmonds Youth Scholarship Fund that enables Edmonds’ children to participate in Edmonds Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services programs who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity.
To light a light, call 425-771-0230 or stop by the Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main St.
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