Sons of Norway Lodge joins Toys ‘n Joys program | Community briefs
Published 5:00 am Thursday, December 11, 2014
Sons of Norway Lodge joins Toys ‘n Joys program
Scandinavian festivities, gingerbread houses and Toys ‘n Joys are coming to Mercer Island on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 12:30 until 3:30 p.m. at the Mercer Island United Methodist Church, at 7070 S.E. 24th Street.
Cascade Lodge Sons of Norway is asking the community and all affiliate lodges to help support the Salvation Army’s Toys ‘n Joys Program, to collect toys and gifts for children in need. Please bring a new, unwrapped gift or toy for children ages six months to 14 years. Cash donations are also accepted.
Join in the holiday party complete with Scandinavian dancing, Santa Lucia and Musa Visa programs, Christmas songs, a visit from Santa, a cookie potluck and much more. Admission is open to the public, for $2 or free with a toy donation.
Lots of free children’s activities are planned. Come early and make Norwegian Woven Hearts and Sugar Cookie Christmas ornaments. The Barneleikarringen Cultural Foundation is also providing 30 gingerbread houses ready to decorate. The Gingerbread House project is a suggested $5 donation per house. One per person, while supplies last.
For more information or to participate as a volunteer please call (425) 313-0193.
Island Giving Tree helps local families in need
The Mercer Island Community and Event Center (MICEC) and Mercer Island’s Youth and Family Services (YFS) are asking the community to help in providing some of life’s necessities to low income Island families this holiday season.
The Giving Tree is displayed at the MICEC. Hanging on the tree are tags for grocery gift cards, health care items and family products. Participants may remove a tag and are encouraged to return these new, unopened items starting Monday, Dec. 1, to the MICEC’s Giving Tree Collection Box. Items will be accepted as late as Friday, Dec. 19.
“Help others achieve their dream, and you will achieve yours,” said Cheryl Manriquez, YFS Family Assistance Coordinator. “Your participation in our YFS Holiday Giving Tree Program will help ensure all Islanders have a meaningful 2014 holiday season.”
YFS will make these products available at the Food Pantry to families in need during the holidays and throughout the year.
For more information about YFS Services, please visit www.miyfs.org.
Sleeping bags for homeless
The Grassroots group Sleepless in Seattle raised over $75,000 in November 2014 through an Indiegogo crowdsourcing campaign to purchase and distribute sleeping bags to every homeless person in Seattle and King County. Over 500 donors contributed to the campaign.
The campaign featured a brief video featuring some of the stories of the homeless on the streets.
On Saturday, Dec. 13, volunteers will gather at 1808 18th Ave, in Seattle, for the Big Give. They will receive a brief training before being sent out in teams to homeless hotspots around Seattle & King County to meet those in need and distribute sleeping bags. The Sleepless in Seattle team has purchased 3,500 sleeping bags to be distributed on the Big Give. Any remaining sleeping bags will be sent to over 20+ non-profit partners around the county.
A number of corporate sponsors have backed this initiative, including MM Comfort Systems. Columbia Sportswear donated 200 beanies, and PinkaBella Cupcakes will be donating a cupcake with every sleeping bag. For more, contact eddiewng@uw.edu or (425) 765-0010.
SJCC Annual Fund Drive on now
For 65 years, the J has helped generations of families and individuals build community and with help it will continue to do so for years to come.
Contributions allows the J to welcome more than 1,000 people through it’s doors daily, curate a vibrant cultural arts program, provide scholarships for its Early Childhood School and summer camp, and so much more.
Donors can also contribute to the Seattle Jewish Film Festival that foster meaningful connections across the community.
To find out more and to give, go to http://sjcc.org/donate-to-the-j.
