Foundation Holiday Recap

During the holiday season, Windermere offices throughout the Western U.S. worked with some outstanding organizations to provide assistance and services to low-income and homeless families. Thank you to all who helped make this season brighter for those in need in our local communities. Here is a recap of some of the Windermere Foundation activities that took place in December.

Windermere Marysville – Christmas House

On December 5, agents with the Windermere Marysville office spent the day helping low income families “shop” at Christmas House—the donation store at the Everett Boys and Girls Club. Christmas House is a 100% volunteer, non-profit organization in Everett, Washington that provides an opportunity for qualifying, low-income, Snohomish County parents to select free holiday gifts for their children. Windermere Marysville agents have been volunteering at this event for the last seven years.

“Christmas was always a very special time when I was young, and I just cannot imagine a child not getting a present,” said Windermere agent Connie Redden. “Volunteering at Christmas house is both fun and rewarding. We have the opportunity to put a smile on the face of a truly grateful parent who now has gifts to put under the tree for their children.”

“Having never participated at Christmas House, I had no idea what to expect,” said Windermere agent Judie Chambers. “The first family I assisted had ten children. What a rewarding experience it was helping so many families. Thank goodness for all those who donated toys and clothing to such a worthy cause.”

“Christmas House to me represents the true meaning of Christmas,” said Windermere agent Laurie McKenzie. “It was such a blessing to serve and assist others in making a difference in their lives.”

“This was my first year with Christmas House,” said Windermere agent Rose Morrison. “I had the most gratifying experience working with this wonderful program for families in need.” 

Windermere Real Estate/East, Inc. – Target for Kids Event

On December 1, instead of having a company holiday party, the Windermere Real Estate/East, Inc. offices participated in their “Target for Kids” event. This event gave children in need an opportunity to shop for gifts for their families for the holidays. The children were selected by working with schools and/or charitable organizations located in east King County. Agents accompanied each child while they shopped and took photos with Santa. All gifts were wrapped on-site by agents, for the children to bring home.

Windermere Mount Baker – Toy Drive for Treehouse

Each year, during November and December, agents at the Windermere Mount Baker office raise money for their toy drive for Treehouse. This was their tenth year working with Treehouse, and this year agents donated over $1,900, which consisted of a check for $1,000, four gift cards to Old Navy, and $900 in clothes, art sets, toys, makeup, boots and two snow boards, which were delivered to Treehouse at their holiday luncheon.

Windermere Woodinville – The Forgotten Children’s Fund

The Windermere Woodinville office hosted their annual holiday party for the community on December 7, where they collected donations for The Forgotten Children’s Fund. They provided live holiday music, treats, beverages, and free photos with Santa (pets were welcomed, too!).

Windermere Professional Partners offices – Multicare Treehouse

On Saturday, December 8, agents from the three Windermere Professional Partners offices in Tacoma volunteered to cook and serve dinner at Multicare Treehouse, a housing facility for families to stay when their children are sick or receiving care at Multicare’s Mary Bridge’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit or Tacoma Generals Neonatal ICU. This saves the family the pain and expense of having to commute to the hospital over long distances or pay for a hotel room. The agents had a wonderful time making sure families at Treehouse had a great dinner and delicious Christmas treats!

Windermere West Seattle – Santa Paws Event and Coats for Kids Coat Drive

The Windermere West Seattle office held their annual Santa Paws event on December 8, providing free photos with Santa for members of the community and their pets. They also kicked-off their Coats for Kids Coat Drive for the children of West Seattle and Concord Elementary—collecting new or gently used warm winter coats.

Windermere Alderwood – Clothing Drive for St. Vincent de Paul

During the months of November and early December, the agents at the Windermere Alderwood office held a clothing drive for St. Vincent de Paul. The office wanted to encourage a healthy competition, so agents and staff split into three teams. Over the course of the month, the teams competed to collect the most clothing by cleaning out their own closets and engaging the community and their clients. Their drive was so successful; they filled an entire donation truck with items.

Windermere Monroe – Winter Clothing Drive for “Take the Next Step”

During the month of December, the Windermere Monroe office held its second annual winter clothing drive for Take the Next Step – a drop-in and networking center for homeless and those in need of assistance in the Snohomish Valley area. The items they collected included coats, gloves, hats, tents, tarps, non-perishable food, socks, diapers, and personal hygiene items.

Windermere Mukilteo – Holiday Family Drive

For the past 11 years, agents in the Windermere Mukilteo office have celebrated the holidays by donating money to their annual Holiday Family Drive. Through their work with the Mukilteo Food Bank and representatives of the Mukilteo Schools, two families are selected every year to receive gifts and a gift card for groceries. This year, $815 was donated by the agents and $100 was donated from the recipient family of last year’s Holiday Family Drive. The Snohomish County Windermere Foundation also matched the funds with a $500 donation. Once all the funds are collected, agents shopped for the gifts, and wrapped them and delivered them. It’s a wonderful tradition that the agents look forward to each year.

Windermere Ballard – Salvation Army Toy ‘N Joy Drive

In December, the Windermere Ballard office participated in the local Salvation Army’s Toy ‘N Joy Drive. Through their efforts, they were able to donate over 150 toys, and a large number of gift cards to various local grocery stores, to very deserving families.

Walla Walla – Toys for Tots Drive

In December, the Windermere Walla Walla office collected donations for the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Sixth Annual Toys for Tots Drive. Through the collective efforts of local businesses and organizations, they were able to provide toys to 996 local children in Walla Walla and Columbia County.

Windermere Seattle-Lakeview – Holiday Drive for YouthCare

In December, the Windermere Seattle-Lakeview office held a holiday drive for YouthCare to collect clothing and other necessities like toiletries, sheet sets and towels, and bus tickets. YouthCare’s mission is to build confidence and self-sufficiency for homeless youth by providing a continuum of care that includes outreach, basic services, emergency shelter, housing, counseling, education, and employment training.