As in previous years, LifeWorks NW is fortunate that numerous organizations donate gifts and food to hundreds of families we serve to share some holiday cheer.
“The families are so happy, so grateful to be able to have presents for their kids,” said Marylee Stahl, Prevention Services Senior Program director, who oversees the donations program. “We often take some wrapping paper so parents can wrap the presents. And the food lets them have a nice meal.
“It’s awesome to be able to spread some joy and see the excitement.”
Clipped Wings©, an organization of current and former flight attendants, stewardesses and air hostesses, has included LIfeWorks NW in its Sharing Tree program for 27 years. The tree, at Washington Square Mall, has tags from 1,000 LifeWorks NW families, just one of the eight programs Clipped Wings serves.
“The generosity of people is amazing,” said Marylee. “We have families bringing five, six, seven gifts. Some people say, ‘I didn’t take a tag, but I bought this extra gift.’
“I’ve been to the mall twice this morning and brought a car-ful of presents both times. I’m at Tigard and there’s presents everywhere.”
Several schools and community organizations also include LifeWorks NW families in their holiday giving.
· Jesuit High School students packed and delivered food boxes for hundreds of families in the Beaverton area, including 75 for LifeWorks NW families.
· Edison High School adopted six families.
· Valley Catholic high school students adopted 30 families from LifeWorks NW Healthy Families program.
· The LifeWorks NW Board of Directors made a donation gift to support ongoing recreational activities for residents at our mental health residential sites.
· Pumpkin Ridge Women’s Group donated funds for activities and carloads of gifts to Mountaindale, one of our residential sites serving women in recovery for addictions with small children.
· The Ferguson/Murphy Charity included children at Project Network in its “Bikes for Kids” annual holiday drive. Bikes were delivered on Dec. 15.
LifeWorks NW staff picked up Edison and Valley Catholic donations and delivered food and gifts to families Dec. 14 and 15.
“We’ll take whatever we have to people this week,” said Marylee, “and will have some to deliver next week.”