Santa is greeted by one of his many young fans as he arrived for the annual Home for the Holidays in Snohomish celebration on Saturday morning. Old St. Nick arrived in grand style riding on a fire engine while the Glacier Peak High School band’s drum line led the way up First Street. The event concluded with the lighting of the Community Christmas Tree at 5 p.m.
EVERETT — For the last 38 years, Christmas House has been fulfilling the holiday wishes of Snohomish County families. From a modest start in 1981, the “store” operated out of late founder Roy Fraser’s garage and gifted handmade presents to more than 100 children.
The nonprofit organization is now run by over 800 volunteers, who are keeping the spirit of giving alive the same way the effort has for almost four decades.
“(Last year) we served more than 7,200 children from over 2,400 families in Snohomish County,” said Gregg Milne, Christmas House’s president.
Christmas House will once again be hosted at the Everett Boys & Girls Club, 2316 12th St. in Everett. It will open Thursday, Dec. 5 and operate Tuesdays through Saturdays until finishing its season Dec. 21.
The donation-driven store relies on contributions from the community to help local families. Donations can be made in a variety of ways; new or handmade gifts, funds donated by mail or online, even volunteering time.
“High school kids will come in to volunteer. They enjoy doing it and also to get credit for their school community service hours,” Milne said. “We only have a couple (volunteer) spots left, we are almost full. It fills up pretty quick, people really enjoy volunteering”
In addition to over 30 donation sites, many school districts in the county are helping as well.
“The schools are a large supporter, they do a variety of things,” Milne said. “They do toy drives, book drives and they are great at getting the message out to the families so they have enough information.”
For 15 years, North Middle School in Everett has been helping Christmas House collect gifts as a service project for students in Honor Society.
“The Honor Society students begin showing themselves as Santa Elves in the halls of school the first week of December and get donations from staff and students,” said Kenleigh Kelly, North Middle School Honor Society advisor. “In the past three years alone we have been able to collect and donate over 1,600 gently used stuffed animals, books and new toys for Christmas House.”
Not only are students helping fellow members of their community, but they get a first-hand look into a large-scale nonprofit organization.
“It is a wonderful giving and learning opportunity for all,” Kelly said.
Christmas House has a few rules, but volunteers are strictest about disallowing children or infants from entering. The reason is because the parents are supposed to surprise their children with the gifts.
No day care is available onsite.
The store also has a family section, stocked with decorations and wrapping paper.
To shop, you must be a Snohomish County resident living 150 percent below the federal poverty line.
For a family of three, this is a family earning $31,995 a year or less, which is $615.29 a week or less.
You must bring photo ID, bring proof you are the custodial parent of every child you are shopping for, bring proof of your spouse or significant other (if any) living in the household to count them in the family’s size, and bring proof of your income. Current DSHS forms and pay stubs can provide much of this information.
Christmas House is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Dec. 21. It is closed Sundays and Mondays.
For more information on shopper qualifications, volunteer registration, or how to donate, visit Christmas House online at www.christmas-house.org or call the message line at 425-338-2273.
