As I write this column, I am sitting near my sparkly Christmas tree, in a warm house, with a warm sweater, with a hot cup of tea. And for many of you reading this, you are ready to welcome the holidays with family and friends in a similar fashion. For some of you, however, this Christmas might be leaner than previous ones, if you or your spouse has lost a job.
I never envisioned, when I moved here close to 11 years ago, that I would see so many foreclosure signs all over Renton. Scary stuff. Yet, in times like these there is so much we can do to help our neighbors in need. Local charities need our help now more than ever. There are so many to choose from—and so many ways to help; I’ll give you a few ideas to get you thinking about where you might donate locally.
The Renton Rotary Salvation Army Food Bank always needs your help. I often pop into my local grocery store and for $25 can fill a bag or two of food. The item that they can never get enough of is cereal, interestingly enough! But other pantry staples are good, as well as ethnic items. And, cash is good too. Are you one of those men with a change jar like my husband? He emptied his the other day at the Salvation Army and it had $117! Not bad!
St. Vincent de Paul has a marvelous sack-lunch program. They operate on the leanest budget imaginable and are good stewards of your donations. They serve as many as 120 lunches a week, mainly to the working poor. You might donate food or dollars there. The new veteran’s center might also need your help with household items for the families that just moved in.
You might take a look at the charitable funds through the Renton Community Foundation (rentonfoundation.org – click on list of funds). A random sampling from that site includes the Maxwell Fund for Youth and Families, established by Steve and Marcie Maxwell to support organizations and individuals serving the needs and issues of children, education, parenting and families in and around the Greater Renton area. Or, the Randy Rockhill fund, which provides funds for band instrument purchase or repair, fees and support required for music students in the Renton School District. Or, the Budkis fund, which helps low-income senior citizens care for their beloved pets.
Located in neighboring Kent but serving many Renton babies born in our local hospital is the Pediatric Interim Care Center. They care for the weakest of the weak—babies born addicted to drugs. Are you a person who loves to knit? Those babies need warm blankets and hats. You could help in that way. As you count your blessings this holiday season, remember those who need our help this year. Even if it is some spare change in one of the those kettles.
Susan Bressler is an active member of a number of Renton organizations, including Piazza Renton. E-mail her at scbressler@comcast.net.
