The holidays are a big time for fundraisers, whether people are donating money, food, clothes or even toys to those in need.
Bonney Lake’s fourth-annual Mayor’s Food Drive on Nov. 16 had its biggest year since its inception, having more than 560 households donate 6,600 pounds of food that was donated to the Bonney Lake Food Bank.
“I am very happy and thankful to see the generosity of 500-plus homes,” Mayor Neil Johnson said. “DM Disposal has been a great partner to work with, so with their help and a few minor tweaks, our goal for Nov. 15, 2018 will be to net 9,000 pounds for Stew at the Food Bank.”
Following that, the United Service Organizations (USO) held a toy drive at the Bonney Lake Wal-Mart on Black Friday, collecting toys for the children of deployed soldiers.
According to volunteer Debbie McDonald, the drive yielded more than $3,000 in cash and toys.
People who want to learn more about the toy drive or donate toys can contact Victoria Shilley at 253-720-2536.
Bonney Lake Police Department’s annual Shop With A Cop event is scheduled for Dec. 9 at 7:15 a.m. at the local Target.
Officer Daron Wolschleger said there will be approximately 20 officers from the BLPD and another five from Orting assigned to students shopping at the event.
With help from Target, the BLPD collects enough money to give each kid a $100 gift card to use however they want in the store that day, plus take pictures with Santa Claus.
“The kids are great, they buy things for their parents, their sisters, their brothers, and then a little thing for themselves,” Wolschleger said. “It’s an awesome program, to see these kids’ eyes light up.”
Cash gift card donations for the event can be delivered to the BLPD lobby.
In Enumclaw, the Community Food Basket Program and the Toys for Tots ‘n Teens fundraiser is in full swing, thanks to the Enumclaw Fire Department taking over the Food Basket program when funding ran dry.
The goal of both programs is to help provide a holiday meal for close to 200 families and gifts for more than 400 kids in the Enumclaw area.
The Santa Run, from Dec. 6 – 9, is their big donation-receiving time when Santa and firefighters parade around Enumclaw.
Food-wise, the department is looking for Enumclaw grocery store gift cards ($25 or less), canned pineapples, veggies, green beans and pumpkin, pre-made pie crusts, evaporated milk, gravy packets, stovetop stuffing, instant potatoes or french fried onions.
Donations can also be dropped off at the fire department at 1330 Wells St. by Dec. 14, so volunteers can distribute food and gifts by Dec. 16.
The fire department is working in conjunction with Fugate Ford for toys — drop off points are at Work Sports and More and Grocery Outlet in Enumclaw and Blue Max Meats in Buckley.
Fugate Ford is also hosting a food drive with the same drop off points, with all food donations going to local food banks.
Both drives are being held through Dec. 31.
Of course, even people on the naughty list deserve a gift too — that’s why Palmer Coking Coal Co. is once again offering lumps of coal as a gag gift for your loved ones in exchange for donations to Vine Maple Place in Maple Valley, a non-profit dedicated to serving homeless children and their families.
For more information, email William Kombol at palmercokingcoal@aol.com or call 425-432-4700, or visit the company at 31407 Highway 169 or their website, www.palmercc.com.
