West Seattle holiday help: Urgent need now = Donations for teens

| High Point | How to help | West Seattle news

A new postscript in the saga of the High Point holiday donations: Rebecca Hall from High Point Community Center says that while, as she updated us all last night, they have exceeded the goal of 400 toys overall for Monday’s distribution (backstory here), they still need items for teenagers – and are working with other West Seattle groups that have the same need. They ask you to please drop off the presents for teens during two specific windows TOMORROW and MONDAY. Here are the specifics:

Gifts for teens are still in high demand and can be dropped off at High Point CC on Sunday, 12-2 pm, or Monday at noon. These items will be distributed to various groups in West Seattle that work with teens.

Don’t know what a teen would like? Here are some suggestions:

-sport equipment such as basketballs, soccer and volleyballs

-pajama sets

-hat / scarf / glove sets

-t-shirts

-athletic pants/shorts

-vanity mirrors

-hair accessories/brushes

-nail polish

-the type of metal waterbottles that are so popular this year

-music cd’s

-journals

Rebecca also says they could use “games for older children.” Again, they’ll be able to accept these donations in two limited windows over the next two days – noon-2 pm tomorrow (Sunday) and at noon on Monday – the main distribution is later Monday afternoon. High Point Community Center is at 6920 34th SW (here’s a map). And as for the items donated so far for the rest of the drive, Rebecca says via Facebook, “The turnout has been amazing and residents of West Seattle and the surrounding communities should know that they REALLY are making a difference this holiday season!”

GenHillOne December 19, 2009 (9:37 pm)

(re-posting from forum where HunterG suggested a Target gift card drive)
I think you’re right on with the gift card idea. It’s my experience that teens tend to get forgotten when people think of “children’s causes” – they’re young enough to want to be included and old enough to appreciate the ability to shop for themselves. Westwood Village has options to cover a lot of the wishlist on the homepage too. Good call!

Alice Kuder December 19, 2009 (9:58 pm)

Thanks to your recent post on FB, I was over at the Delridge Community Center earlier this evening, and they are in pretty much the same situation. They got lots of donations today, but still in need of gifts for teens. Deadline for donations is tomorrow at noon. Contact Phillippia at 935-2999 for more info on how to help.

OP December 20, 2009 (12:38 am)

Not that i’m trying to downplay the importance of ‘feeding/housing your own’ but somewhere in the world a child is wondering ‘ you need a f***ing vanity mirror….i’d just like a semi-warm half meal…”

Poverty. We don’t know what that is.

HunterG December 20, 2009 (1:29 am)

This is true OP, I agree with your statement, BUT what individuals are trying to do with these comments is try to solve… or bring suggestions to solve solve a situation at hand, at home.

If the people of West Seattle could feed the world’s hungry children I am sure they would, the fact is, as unfortunate as it is, there will always be hungry people, including children. I am not saying this to be insensitive, but I am trying to put your statement into perspective. Don’t belittle someones hand that reaches out genuinely to help another, no matter how small.

HunterG December 20, 2009 (1:41 am)

Oh and BTW, make sure to check out OP’s blog, where he brags about golf, and his profile picture is of him (I am assuming) sitting on some tropical beach.

I bet you could have taken the money for those green fees and sent it to those hungry children.

Shimmy December 20, 2009 (3:05 pm)

I dropped a gift by High point cc today, and the people working there were so very appreciative; I wish I could afford to give many more gifts.

WSB December 20, 2009 (3:15 pm)

Thank you, Shimmy, and to everyone who has given as they are able – or even just given by sharing the information – We have been invited to cover the distribution tomorrow and while we don’t want to intrude on the families’ privacy, we will do our best to report on the good cheer and generosity of what everyone has done to help out. Also please note that you can still take donated gifts for the teens to High Point at noon tomorrow and they will be received in time for the 2 pm distribution – TR

Dan\'a December 21, 2009 (3:02 pm)

I dropped off a few things for older kids today and everyone there was so gracious and appreciative. I am so happy that so many kids will have toys and things this christmas.
And yes, OP, there are children who need food all over but I hope at least at Christmas they can enjoy just being a child by getting a new toy to play with and experiencing that type of happiness too.

WSB December 21, 2009 (3:07 pm)

We were there to cover the distribution today – and a story is coming up within an hour or so – the amazing volunteers (this was coordinated by a church that meets every Sunday at High Point CC) indeed thank EVERYONE for their help and good thoughts … TR

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