find out how good it feels to give!
The winter season can be difficult for families living in poverty. Parents feel pressure to create a festive atmosphere while struggling to meet basic needs.
The YWCA Adopt-a-Family program helps bridge the gap—it's a fun and meaningful way to get into the holiday spirit while helping families in need.
news alert: Thanks to Rick's Toys For Kids and many generous people in our community, all of our stolen toys have been replaced! Thank you!
faq: Whether you have participated in YWCA Adopt-a-Family for years or this is your first time, please read our FAQs below. Please note, this program serves clients already enrolled in YWCA programs and is not open to the general public.
How do I get started? Fill out the sponsor form and indicate how you want to help:
1. Make a financial donation. Very much needed! We may need to purchase last-minute gift cards for families that enter our programs too late to be adopted.
2. Purchase gifts and gift cards for one or more families. Based on information given on the sponsor form, you will be emailed, faxed or mailed details about the families you adopt so you can shop for them. Return the form by email, fax or mail to the YWCA contact at your delivery location.
What should I buy? For each child, please buy two new gifts or gift cards (suggested range of $25 - $35 per gift). Because homeless and low-income families often have used clothes and toys, we ask for only new items for the holidays.
For the family, please buy a grocery gift card (suggested range of $25 per family member). Popular stores include Safeway, Target and Fred Meyer. Fred Meyer cards can also be used at QFC.
Why are the gifts requests only for the children? Our program focuses on the children. The grocery card is a very welcome gift for the whole family.
What if I want to buy a gift for the parent? You could buy a gift card to the store of your choice or add some money to grocery card. Indicate your wish that the parent buy a gift by leaving a note with the gift card.
Should the gifts be wrapped or unwrapped? Your choice! Many parents appreciate unwrapped gifts so they can see what has been given. It would be great to include wrapping paper.
Some folks just love to wrap gifts and that is fine also. If so, please add a tag with the child's name on it and a brief description of the gift.
How do I package the gifts? Place them in heavy-duty garbage bags so they stay intact when transported to program locations and then taken home by the family who may be on the bus.
Securely label each bag with the Family ID #.
Put the grocery gift card in an envelope labeled with the Family ID # and give it to the YWCA contact at your delivery location.
Where and when do I deliver? Who is the contact? On the sponsor form, you choose a delivery location. Here are the dates, times, and contacts:
Everett:
3301 Broadway, Everett, 98201
Thu. 12/13 & Fri. 12/14, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Luanne Kunz: 425.258.2766 x150 or lkunz@ywcaworks.org.
Issaquah:
930 NE High St. Issaquah, 98029
Thu. 12/13 & Fri. 12/14, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Degale Cooper: 425.270.6804 or dcooper@ywcaworks.org
Lynnwood:
6027 208th St. SW, Lynnwood, 98036
Thu. 12/13 & Fri. 12/14, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Luanne Kunz: 425.258.2766 x150 or lkunz@ywcaworks.org.
Redmond:
16601 NE 80th St., Redmond, 98052
Thu. 12/13 & Fri. 12/14, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Brenda McCallon: 425.556.1354 or mccallon@ywcaworks.org
Renton:
1010 S. 2nd St., Renton, 98057
Thu. 12/13 & Fri. 12/14, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sat. 12/15, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Liz Mills: 206.461.4450 or lmills@ywcaworks.org
Seattle - Central Area:
3201 E. Republican, Seattle, 98122
Thu. 12/13 & Fri. 12/14, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sat. 12 /15, 8 a.m. - noon
Nichelle Hilton: 206.412.1605 or nhilton@ywcaworks.org
Seattle - Downtown:
1118 5th Avenue, Seattle, 98101
Thu. 12/13 & Fri. 12/14, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sat. 12/15, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Liz Mills: 206.461.4450 or lmills@ywcaworks.org
What if none of those times work for me? Contact the staff at your delivery location and we will work something out.
My company matches my financial and non-financial contributions. What do I do? Thank-you! Matching funds are very welcome and needed. Request your company’s matching form, fill it out for YWCA Adopt-a-Family as the program and submit it. Call Liz Mills at 206.461.4450 if you need more information.
Do I need the YWCA tax ID #? Some match forms may require it. Our number is 91-0482890.
Are these gifts tax deductable and do I need a receipt for my tax records? You can choose to include these gifts with your other itemized deductions. If requested, we will give you a receipt when you deliver the gifts or mail it to you.
Can I meet the family I am helping or hand-deliver the gifts? No, we do not offer this option.
How else can I help? Spread the word and help get all of our families adopted! Direct friends, family, and colleagues to our website and encourage them to participate.