Holiday collection of gifts underway
By Catholic Charities Communications
Catholic Charities of Oregon is gathering presents for families the agency serves
Oregonians can make Christmas and the holiday season joyful and memorable for struggling families by giving to Catholic Charities’ annual toy drive.
The collection, conducted mostly via Amazon wish list, runs from now until Dec. 16 and culminates with the Dec. 20 Toy and Joy Shoppe at Catholic Charities’ North Pole headquarters, when households served by Catholic Charities will be able to pick from donations.
Donors are asked to buy gifts valued at about $30.
The Catholic Charities elves will be on hand to assist in choosing gifts and wrapping if desired. Or families can do their own wrapping, enjoy holiday music and sit in the glow of Christmas lights.
Recently, a University of Portland student told Catholic Charities that when she was a girl, she received a winter jacket from the Catholic Charities Christmas toy drive. It was a moment when she first felt love from the wider community, and it helped set her on a successful path.
“I will never forget that moment,” says Lucy Nem, whose family were refugees from Myanmar. “I got a really warm coat. We couldn’t even say thank you because we were so happy and excited to open the gifts. It was very heartwarming. It is one of the memories I most can recall at this point.”
Here is a list of needed gifts:
– gift cards to Target, Walmart, Fred Meyer, Amazon and craft stores
– action figures
– board games
– Legos
– Hot Wheels
– Barbie and other dolls
– Melissa & Doug toys
– educational toys
– books
– stuffed animals
– arts & crafts
– sports equipment
Alternately, donors are invited to drop off gifts during business hours at one of three sites where Jen Toohey, volunteer services coordinator at Catholic Charities, will pick them up by Dec. 18:
– St. Pius X Parish, 1280 NW Saltzman Rd., Portland, OR 97229
– Holy Cross Parish, 5227 N Bowdoin St., Portland, OR 97203
– Catholic Charities, 2740 SE Powell Blvd., Portland, OR 97202
Questions? Contact [email protected] or 503-807-9441.
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