Thursday, December 4, 2008 – Redmond, Washington
On Thursday, December 4, 2008, volunteers with Charity Through Youthful Living, a local charity based in Redmond, Washington, will descend on area retailers to purchase gifts for more than 100 children, teens, and parents in need this holiday season.
The hub of CTYL’s annual Holiday Shopping giving program will be the Fred Meyer store in Redmond, which will be providing special discounts on gifts for more than 80 local families and teens in need. Another local major retailer, whose employees have generously “adopted” another 27 of CTYL’s families and teens, is also actively involved in this year’s giving program. Several other individuals and private donors have stepped up to adopt both individuals and entire families as a part of this year’s festivities.
CTYL’s Holiday Shopping program began humbly in 2005, with CTYL and a handful of volunteer shoppers providing approximately $2,000 in holiday gifts to 20 local teens without family support during the holiday season and throughout the year. This year, with holiday budgets tighter than ever for most everyone, CTYL expects to provide more than $10,000 in holiday gifts to more than 100 children, teens, and families in need.
Even with the economy down this year, CTYL has seen an increase in donations over past years. Additionally, CTYL’s volunteer involvement is up, with nearly 100 volunteers expected to participate in various aspects of this year’s Holiday Shopping program as shoppers, gift wrappers, and coordinators. “Our Holiday Shopping program has tremendous momentum, and has benefitted greatly from the ever-growing support and enthusiasm of so many here in our own community,” said Richard Anderson, President of CTYL. “No matter what the economic conditions, there is never a shortage of holiday spirit among our donor and volunteer base.”
Beneficiaries of this year’s Holiday Shopping program include Cocoon House, a teen shelter in Everett, Washington, and Peace for the Streets by Kids from the Streets (also known as PSKS), a Seattle-based program for teens, families, and other individuals faced with or threatened by homelessness.
More information about participating in CTYL’s holiday events as a donor or volunteer is available on their website at www.ctyl.org. CTYL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support and inspiration to local children in need, which also works to spread a spirit of giving throughout the community by sharing the joy of giving and the fun of youthful living!
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