Seattle, WA, Nov. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Treehouse, Washington state’s leading nonprofit supporting youth in foster care, is calling on individuals, community groups and companies to host donation drives, raise money and make purchases from the organization’s wish list to meet the increased need this holiday season.
While the holiday season officially kicks off November 1 for most people, Treehouse’s Material and Financial Resources team is already assisting shoppers, shipping online orders and processing funding requests for the holiday season.
Demand increases as seasons change, making the need for high-quality winter coats, shoes and warm clothing evident. It is especially critical for youth who don’t have or have outgrown their cold weather clothes.
"We are anticipating a greater need this holiday season compared to last year," said Victoria Kutasz, Resources and Operations Director at Treehouse. "With the recent expansion of statewide eligibility for Treehouse programs, hundreds more youth have enrolled in our programs. We need the public’s support now more than ever."
Treehouse’s school-aged programs opened eligibility to all Washington youth in foster care to ensure that no matter where a youth is placed, a Treehouse staff member will be by their side, connecting them to educational and community resources for long-term success.
During the 2022 holiday season, over 4,200 youth received a gift or other support.
What caregivers have said about Treehouse’s holiday support:
“This support is so vital during the holiday season to ensure more children are included in celebrations and normalcy. Thank you!”
“We are so very grateful to all of you. This year was our first without her mom and that made it tough for us, but she has had an amazing Christmas 2022, and that is what is important.”
How the public can help:
- Host a donation drive and collect winter clothing, toys, books and other items with friends, coworkers and family. Visit treehouseforkids.org/take-action/host-a-drive/#drive to get started.
- Start a fundraising page. The money raised through peer-to-peer fundraising helps to fill in the gaps in inventory at the Treehouse Store, pay for shipping costs and support funding requests for activities and expenses related to school and youth development. Visit treehouseforkids.org/take-action/host-a-drive/#fundraise to sign up.
- Purchase items from Treehouse’s wish list at treehouseforkids.org/wishlist. This list is kept up to date with the items most requested by youth and their caregivers.
About Treehouse
Treehouse envisions — and strives to create — a world where every child who has experienced foster care has the opportunities and support they need to pursue their dreams and launch successfully into independence. We directly support and work alongside thousands of youth in foster care in Washington State as well as their caregivers, educators, school administrators and social workers to ensure each youth has individualized plans and support. We are also taking what we’ve learned on the ground to make larger scale change by influencing legislative policy. Through direct programs and advocacy work, Treehouse is uniquely positioned to close the opportunity gap and positively change the outcomes of youth who have experienced foster care.
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