Get Involved
Volunteers begin gearing up after Labor Day in the Fall and swing into full speed after Thanksgiving. We collect donations from boxes placed in sponsoring schools, churches, and businesses. When we get cash donations we are able to buy items most requested by families who come off the streets into the shelters: toothbrushes, gloves, even underwear if it is a special request of the shelters.
Volunteers are needed to:
• Make a donation of cash or new small gifts.
• Decorate a donation box and check on it at a business, school or other organization.
• Contact us for flyers to distribute.
• Mail our brochure to friends and families who might be interested in making a donation.
• Donate holiday fabrics and white felt.
• Donate yarn for hats, scarves and other items.
• Sew stockings. Contact Pearl Grantham at pearl@holidaystockings.org for a pattern and materials.
• Contact a specific business for donations such as socks, deodorants, colognes, toothpaste, small toys or other
• small gifts.
• Sort gifts on Friday, Dec. 12th (see time and place below)
• Be a Shelter Captain on Saturday morning, Dec. 13th and deliver stockings to the shelter from Dec. 15-19, 9-5pm
For 2008:
Friday, December 12th 2-6 p.m. for sorting toys
Saturday, December 13th 10-12 p.m. for stocking stuffing
Pier 36, ISC Seattle, Coast Guard Gym (Non-Military families contact us for gate guard reservations)
We have chosen a stocking as a gift for these kids because the small items contained in a stocking are going to be those a child can actually carry in a pocket when it comes time for the inevitable move from the shelter. Shelters tell us that the kids actually hang the stockings by their beds for weeks after the holiday as a reminder that Santa, or someone did find them this year.
While we use the word Santa, we try to make our effort as non-denominational as possible. Our goal is to bring some cheer at a time of year where many religions celebrate a holiday.
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We are also always looking for organizational help. We meet four times a year to discuss ways to make our work as helpful and meaningful to homeless children as possible. We welcome anyone who would like to serve on our team.