The holidays are a time for giving back. Here are just a few of the many worthy causes on Vashon that support our neighbors in need, starting with one of Vashon’s most treasured holiday-giving traditions: a community toy drive.
John L. Scott Community Toy Drive
Help give island kids a happy holiday this year! Vashon’s Holiday Toy Drive, sponsored by John L. Scott, is asking for donations or direct gifts of new, packaged toys in toy boxes located at Ace Hardware, Vashon Thriftway, Vashon Pharmacy, and The Country Store & Farm. Additionally, monetary donations can be made via check (make payable to VYFS and mail to John L. Scott at PO Box 2009, Vashon 98070) or through Venmo (Heidi-Grimsley-1).
By making a donation to the Vashon Toy Drive, you are telling over 125 Vashon families that their community cares about them. 169 island children had a merrier holiday in 2023 because of your generous assistance. (See page 6 for more details.)
Organizations
Backpack Pantry provides weekend meals throughout the school year for Vashon school district students who experience food insecurity. This volunteer-run program operates under the nonprofit tax ID of Vashon’s St. John Vianney Parish. Working in concert with the the school district, 40-50 students per month receive an individual bag of healthy, balanced, easy-to-prepare, kid-friendly food items for assembling meals, with some snacks included. Set up a recurring monthly donation or a one-time donation to the Backpack Pantry at tinyurl.com/68kx94, or mail to St. John Vianney, PO Box 308, Vashon, WA 98070, writing “Backpack Pantry” in the memo line.
Granny’s Attic is a nonprofit thrift shop on Vashon, offering a wide range of merchandise. Run by staff and a cadre of dedicated volunteers, the thrift shop annually shares its proceeds with a wide range of healthcare organizations on Vashon. Shop and donate to this wonderful store. Learn more at grannysattic.org.
Vashon’s DOVE Project offers a wide range of services to support domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. Programs include training on bystander intervention, financial empowerment, self-defense and talks on the root causes of domestic violence. The group’s community outreach is a combination of connection, prevention, and advocacy. Visit vashondoveproject.org to find out more and donate.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society Vashon is dedicated to helping island individuals and families in times of need. It offers help with rent, utilities, food, clothing, transportation and other basic needs. Find out more and donate at svdpvashon.org.
Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness provides direct support to low-income and houseless islanders. Find out more and donate at ifchvashon.org.
Sam Yates Community Foundation has launched an effort to bring life-saving automated external defibrillator (AED) stations to public places on Vashon and works with other organizations to provide awareness and healthcare screenings to lessen the risk of death to islanders of all ages from sudden cardiac arrest. Donate at thumbsupfoundation.org.
VashonBePrepared For more than 20 years, the volunteers and member organizations of VashonBePrepared have banded together to fulfill their motto: Neighbors Helping Neighbors. In 2020, they activated community partners to face the COVID pandemic with reliable, factual public health information, reaching nearly every resident of the island with services that included testing, vaccination, food, housing relief, and business recovery assistance. The organization is still working, even as they plan ahead for the next disaster. To sustain this bedrock community effort, visit VashonBePrepared.org/Donate.
Vashon Land Trust works to conserve and care for Vashon’s wild and working lands. Find out more and donate to the Land Trust’s efforts at vashonlandtrust.org.
Vashon Nature Center creates transformative nature experiences through community science, research, and education for the benefit of Vashon and the entire Salish Sea. Donate at vashonnaturecenter.org.
Vashon Care Network is an all-volunteer organization that provides support circles for both family and independent caregivers, educational forums on topics such as caring for people with dementia, and opportunities for caregivers to practice self-care. Contributions also help the group meet the growing need on Vashon for loaned medical equipment and supplies through its Care Closet. Donate at vashoncarenetwork.org.
Vashon Youth & Family Services is a full-service social services organization. Donations go to scholarships for VYFS programs, materials and educational toys; support to families in crisis and affordable fees for its counseling and prevention services. Donate at vyfs.org/donate.
Vashon Food Bank provides nutritious food to island individuals and families each week. Donate non-perishable items, pet food, your time or money at vashonfoodbank.org.
Vashon HouseHold, the island’s only affordable housing organization, provides a variety of housing options for islanders. Donations help seniors, families and people with disabilities live comfortably. Donate at vashonhousehold.org.
Vashon Senior Center caters to seniors’ needs with a wide array of offerings, including transportation programs, an expansive meal program that includes home deliveries of meals made from scratch, and innovative approaches to senior living including Vashon Villages. Find out more about volunteering and giving at vashoncenter.org.
