Grieving women find new hope in growing medical supply charity
BELLINGHAM, Wash – It’s simple advice we’ve heard countless times: It never hurts to ask.Yet, we often keep our dreams to ourselves and they go unfulfilled.Which is why we wanted to share the story of a grieving mom who was brave enough to name what she needed.This is actually a follow up to a story we brought you this summer.When we last saw Jennifer Schouten her garage, her hallways, her spare rooms - every open space in her Bellingham house - was filled with donated medical supplies she was working to give to those in need.She does this as a way to honor her son Dominic who died several years ago.After our story aired she met another woman who was grieving a loss and they had one conversation that changed everything for both of them.To see them together you’d think Jennifer Schouten and Nicole Givan were lifelong friends.The truth is they’ve known each other just a few weeks, just since the time Nicole began volunteering with Jennifer’s non profit Dominic’s Closet.“I don’t know, I’m sort of impulsive like that,” says Nicole.Nicole isn’t impulsive about where to volunteer.
Reindeer fire engine collects gifts for children in need
SAMMAMISH, Wash. - Eastside Fire and Rescue Station 83 visited local neighborhoods to collect gifts for underprivileged kids, and rode in a festive reindeer fire engine.Firefighters drove down neighborhoods with a fire engine decorated like Santa's slay and collected gifts for children of all ages.The engine, which included reindeer antlers, was greeted by residents who were braving the rain and cold.Station 83 was overwhelmed by the community's generosity, considering the weather conditions, and felt that residents really stepped up for those in need.The families who donated showed the true meaning of the holidays, and demonstrated the act of giving rather than receiving.Eastside Fire and Rescue partnered with Hopelink for Sunday's toy drive.
Hundreds of toys donated at the annual Les Schwab Toy Drive
KENT, Wash. - The Annual Les Schwab Tires Centers Toy Drive makes sure to give kids a special Christmas.The Seattle Thunderbirds and Les Schwab have teamed up to collect new, unwrapped toys for children in need during the holiday season.
Macy's National 'Believe Day' celebrates local teen
SEATTLE -- Macy's celebrated National Believe Day Dec. 7, donating $2 for each letter to Santa.
Longtime bell ringer helps spread holiday cheer
EVERETT, Wash. - A longtime bell ringer for the Salvation Army is going above and beyond his duties during this holiday season.Karl Wright has been greeting customers outside the Hoyt Avenue Post Office for more than a decade.
Santa Claus is coming to Lacey, early and often this holiday season
Can’t wait for Santa’s visit?
Local 'Toy Experts' reveal the season's hottest toys
SEATTLE -- Q13 News is teaming up with Les Schwab Tire Centers for our annual holiday toy drive, to help families struggling to buy gifts for their kids this holiday season.Q13's Ellen Tailor got a chance to talk to some local "toy experts" about what they'd like to see under the Christmas tree this year.
Students collect gifts, donate to California wildfire victims
Sammamish, WA- High School students rallied together to send holiday cheer to victims of the California wildfires.Several student at Sammamish High School received devastating news that loved ones in California lost their homes and livelihoods.The mission to give was simple, and started after one student's emotional story to her teacher.Laura Holden told one her teachers that family members in California had lost their home because of the Camp Fire.Laura and her classmates began to organize a collection of donations, and soon others at the school volunteered to help.Students collected a variety of items that included: money, clothing, and of course Christmas presents.Laura was a bit overwhelmed by the generosity of her classmates, and thought her effort was going to be small." I had no idea it was going to be this big...I thought it was going to be a few donations", said Laura.Students spent part of Thursday sorting and wrapping donations.The gifts will be sent on Friday, and will raise the spirits of families who are affected.
Bellevue police helps deliver donated furniture to families in transitional housing
BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Since 2014, Bellevue Police Department has been helping people moving into transitional housing feel welcome in their new community -- starting with a furnished place to live.Annually, officers assist in picking up and dropping off donated furniture at a residential community operated by Hopelink.Hopelink, among other services, has two emergency family shelters, as well as transitional and long-term housing options in Western Washington.According to the organization's website, "Housing with Hopelink is set aside for families with children under the age of 18 who are experiencing homelessness."Officer Craig Hanaumi, with Bellevue police, said his department's partnership with Hopelink is just one example of how his team is helping build relationships with the community."Luckily my position allows me the luxury of a little more time to invest in building relationships and doing stuff like this and take full advantage of it by partnering with the organizations that are in our community," Hanaumi said.For more information on Hopelink's housing services, click here.
Real life Santa builds and donates toys to sick children during the holidays
SEATTLE -- Tony Milanowski is embodying the spirit of Santa this holiday season by going to local schools and making toys that he donates to sick children.About two years ago, Milanowski created the nonprofit Toys That Make Smiles.“I don’t refer to them as toys, I refer to them as smiles.
Delta Airlines, YMCA spread holiday cheer at Sea-Tac for dozens of Washington students
SEATTLE - Students from Auburn got to celebrate Christmas a bit early at Seattle-Tacoma international Airport thanks to a partnership with the YMCA and Delta Airlines.Nearly 100 children boarded a Delta chartered plane at Sea-Tac and embarked on journey to the "North Pole."The kids weren't traveling to the real North Pole, but instead to an airport hangar that was transformed into a winter wonderland.Every student enjoyed an afternoon of holiday fun that included games, entertainment, and of course Mr.
"Tree of Life" unveiled in Seattle commemorating kidney donors
SEATTLE -- The Swedish Organ Transplant and Liver Center unveiled its "Tree of Life" Friday in Seattle, honoring the selfless acts of kidney donors.The tree features glass leaves representing those who have donated organs.Karen Chow said she planned on donating a kidney for her mom, but ended up helping a complete stranger.Chow said she flew from California for this event -- to meet the person who received her organ for the first time."His daughter is walking down the aisle next year, and I was so excited for him to physically be able to walk her down the aisle," Chow said. "That was really so emotional for me ...
Comcast Washington donates $250k to Mary's Place
SEATTLE -- This holiday season, Comcast Washington has stepped in to support technology resources, job readiness and digital skills training for women and families at Mary's Place shelters.Comcast Washington donated $250,000 in an effort to support those causes."This is an incredible life saving gift, particularly at this time of year when families are looking for apartments, housing, places to go inside and warm food," Marty Hartman, Mary's Place, said. "They can get that now with access on their phones, or computers, or laptops in our shelters."According to a press release, the technology resources will help develop a computer lab to provide a space for digital literacy and coding classes.Comcast's monetary contribution will also provide Mary's Place access to the internet, as well as provide shelters with resources to help residents secure stable housing.Comcast is also starting a winter clothing collection drive at its Northgate Location.People interested in donating may drop off winter gear until Jan. 6.Click here for more information on Mary's Place.
Les Schwab Toy Drive seeking donations
EVERETT, Wash. -- As part of Q13 News' Season of Giving, we're helping our partners at Les Schwab Tires collect toys to benefit children across Western Washington.On Saturday evening, volunteers from Les Schwab were collecting donations at the Everett Silvertips hockey game.Les Schwab said it collects about 40,000 toys every year, and all the toys stay in our local communities.This year, the distribution will be in Kent, in partnership with several local organizations and food banks."One of the things that we do for our community is we give back, and one of the ways we can give back right now, for those who are in need, is to make someone have a special Christmas," says Terry Strwan with Les Schwab.You can donate to the Les Schwab Toy Drive now through Dec. 15 by dropping off new, unwrapped toys at any Western Washington Les Schwab location.
WestSide Baby helps keep local kids warm and dry
All children deserve to be safe, dry, and warm, but unfortunately that’s not reality for many families in need.WestSide Baby, which was founded in 2001, collects new and used items for children and babies, and then distributes them free of charge to King County families.Between now and the end of the year, the non-profit organization and their 114 partner agencies will distribute diapers, coats, pajamas, car seats, and toys to more than 2,000 children.The organization sees an increased need during November and December as the weather gets colder and families on a limited income stretch their dollars."We are experts in this stuff, these material items, these basic goods that children need and deserve, like a diaper, a car seat, a warm coat," says Toni Sarge with WestSide Baby. "We work with partner agencies to make sure they have the tangible items they need to bring to the families they work with."
Kent firefighters collect toys for kids in need of presents
KENT, Wash. -- Kent area firefighters are teaming up with a generous community to provide toys for kids this holiday season.The Toys for Joy program is back for another year, hoping to deliver some cheer to families who need a helping hand.Puget Sound Fire crews are seeking unwrapped toys for children up to 12 years old.They can be dropped off at any Seatac, Kent, Covington or Maple Valley Fire Station.Money and non-perishable food items are also accepted."There's a lot of families that have to make decisions during the holidays how their money is going to be spent," said Captain Kyle Ohashi."We don't want them to have to give up essentials in order to buy their kids gifts."Once they have enough toys, fire crews will host two gift-wrapping parties, before delivering them to local food banks.The wrapping parties are scheduled for 6 p.m. on December 10th and 18th at Fire Station 75 in Kent.For more information on the program, call 253-856-4485.
New van will serve hundreds of kids at Federal Way Boys and Girls Club
Federal Way- Students at the Federal Way Boys and Girls Club received a new van that will provide reliable transportation for after-school activities.Bridgestone awarded the Federal Way Boys and Girls Club a $35,000 Driving Great Futures Grant to purchase a new Toyota Sienna van.The club says the extra vehicle will be a welcomed addition to their fleet and will provide more services to students.The van is expected to benefit nearly 2500 students who attend the club's after school programs daily.The van will serve a variety of services such as; pickups to and from school and educational field trips.A recent survey found that 70 percent of parents struggle with reliable forms of transportation, making it difficult for kids to participate in after-school activities.The club aims to provide kids with the necessary tools to succeed at their fullest potential, leading them to brighter futures.
Tree decorators design over 30 trees for annual fundraiser
TACOMA – Several volunteers decorated and designed over 30 trees at the Tacoma Convention Center Wednesday.
Local seniors help homeless community
BURIEN, Wash. – For the last two years, Sally Dunn and Mary Alice Bueser have made weekly trips to drop off boxes and bags of clothing, toiletries, food and other supplies to those in need.