Boy Scouts donate popcorn to local USO

Boy Scouts donate popcorn to local USO

A local Boy Scout troop surprised some lucky military members at the USO this week.Troop 407 out of Kent delivered more than 70 cases of donated popcorn to the USO at SeaTac airport.Troop leaders say delivering cases of popcorn to military bases has been a Boy Scouts of America tradition for 35 years.The goal is to give back to troops all across the country, and Troop 407 decided to do that at the local USO.“These people risk their lives and put us in a position to where we are in a better world, and I like to teach these boys anything I can to make them feel like they are part of that community,” says Stephanie Lawson, Troop 407’s “Popcorn  Colonel.”This year Troop 407 donated 72 cases, which translates to $11,000 worth of popcorn!

Local chef serves up a special Thanksgiving on the eastside

Local chef serves up a special Thanksgiving on the eastside

A local chef spent his Thanksgiving, giving back to his community.For the past 15 years, Chef John Howie has closed his restaurant, Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar, to the public on Thanksgiving, so he can serve underprivileged guests from the eastside.Hundreds of guests from several eastside service organizations attended today’s dinner.Seastar says while some diners aren’t able to prepare a meal, some can’t afford to, and some others are just in need of fellowship.“So, 15 years ago my wife and decided that we were tired of not feeling very thankful at thanksgiving and decided to open up the restaurant to low-income families and give them something special, and so we did that,” said John Howie.  “That first year we did about 200 and now in our 15th year we’re up to about  650 guests  that'll come through here today .”Chef Howie partners with local vendors to get the supplies donated.Today they dished out more than 600 pounds of turkey, 500 pounds of potatoes, 90 pounds of cranberry sauce, and countless pies.

Dozens of Everett volunteers help bring a Thanksgiving feast to all

Dozens of Everett volunteers help bring a Thanksgiving feast to all

EVERETT, Wash. -- At an Everett Senior Center on the day before Thanksgiving, more than 150 volunteers were on a mission to deliver hundreds of meals to Snohomish County residents.Q13 News tagged along on Wednesday, as helpers packed the Carl Gipson Senior Center and prepared meals for the annual event.From there, food is delivered to those who are disabled, elderly, homebound or simply do not have family in the area.Each person is given enough food for two meals: one for the holiday and one for leftovers."Most of these people -- all of these people, actually -- are the folks who, you know, really built our community," said Martha Peppones, Director of Nutrition for Homage Senior Services."They raised families and they contributed back to the areas in which they live, and to our society, and I think it's our turn to pay back -- and this is a very small way we can do that."Volunteers will be out on their deliveries throughout Thanksgiving Day.

Families in NICU during holidays celebrate Thanksgiving together

Families in NICU during holidays celebrate Thanksgiving together

SEATTLE, WA - Tuesday, dozens of families stuck in the hospital during the holiday season, celebrated an early Thanksgiving.For more than a decade, The March of Dimes has teamed up with Swedish Hospital, and Hotel Sorrento to provide families who will spend their holiday in the NICU a Thanksgiving feast.This year’s meal was made from scratch by Hotel Sorrento and donated to the hospital, officials said.For many in attendance, the night means more than just a hearty meal.“The NICU will always be our family,” said Grace Corpuz.One year ago, Corpuz and her family had their first Thanksgiving meal at the Swedish Hospital, but not by choice.Corpuz gave birth to twin girls, however her pregnancy did not go full term, and she gave birth to the girls after only 26 weeks.

See all Q13 FOX 'Season of Giving' stories

See all Q13 FOX 'Season of Giving' stories

Q13 FOX is hoping to help make the holidays a little brighter for those in need.Season of Giving, brought to you by Harborstone Financial, is one of the ways we live up to our “All Local” promise.For the rest of the year, we’ll feature stories of people and organizations making a difference in our community -- and we want YOU to join us!Each day we’ll share small ways that you can help make a big difference.We'll compile a list of each story on this page -- updated daily:

Salvation Army kicks off holiday bell-ringing season

Salvation Army kicks off holiday bell-ringing season

SEATTLE -- From now through Christmas Eve you can expect to see Salvation Army bell ringers stationed outside grocery stores across Western Washington.The annual fundraising campaign began over the weekend and festive volunteers are deployed around the region, equipped with bells and hoping to fill their famous red kettles with donations for the less fortunate."We raise about 60% of our income during the holiday season," the Salvation Army's Major Butch Soriano said."It's a very crucial time of year for us, and for the Salvation Army, to meet the needs of individuals and families that are in need -- in the holiday season and throughout the year."In honor of the campaign's kickoff in Seattle, several city landmarks were also lit red, including the Great Wheel.

Annual Turkey Trot helps people in need

Annual Turkey Trot helps people in need

KIRKLAND, Wash. -- More than 1,000 people braved chilly temperatures in Kirkland to run and walk for a good cause.The non-profit organization Hopelink held its annual 5K Turkey Trot at Marina Park Sunday morning.Officials with the organization said this festive tradition is a way for the community to come together to help those in need.

Staying warm this winter with one pajama at a time

Staying warm this winter with one pajama at a time

Q13 Season of Giving is in full gear and today we’re giving away pajamas for those in need.Every year, the 180 Foundation partners with Treehouse to make sure that every child in foster care has a comfy pair of pajamas for the winter.