Looking to give back this holiday season? There are plenty of volunteer opportunities in Seattle year-round, but in December there are even more chances to make a difference in your community. You can bake, supply a gift, donate warm clothes, or donate your time or even cash to the below non-profits. We will be consistently adding more to this list so bookmark it and check back soon!
Read on for our roundup of current volunteer opportunities, holiday gift drives, and winter coat drives in Seattle:
1. The Christmas People’s Cookie Drive
Do you love to bake? The Christmas People are once again gathering Christmas cookies to donate to community members in need of some festive cheer. They’re hoping to distribute 9,000 homemade cookies this year. Drop your cookies off at the below address in West Seattle between December 21 and 24.
📅 When: December 21-24, 2024
📍Where: West Seattle Co-Working (9030 35th Avenue SW)
ℹ️ More info here
2. West Seattle Food & Coat Drives
There are several food and coat drives coming up in West Seattle this December:
December 7: SPD Warm Clothing Drive, 11 am-3 pm at Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster).
December 7: Caudle Family Food & Coat Drive for the West Seattle Food Bank, 10 am-3 pm. Just drive up to the back lot at Hope Lutheran (4456 42nd SW) and drop off your donations.
December 15: Cocoa and Coat Drive at the Farmers’ Market with the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, 10 am-2 pm. Bring new or gently used coats, hats, gloves, scarves.
To see even more West Seattle donation drives, follow the info link below and scroll down to “Giving opportunities.”
3. Toys for Tots in Seattle
Seattle’s Toys for Tots drive is now in full swing! See their Amazon wishlist here and toy drop-off sites in Seattle at the link below.
📅 When: December 9-20, 2024
📍Where: Toy drop sites
ℹ️ More info here
4. Pike Place Market’s Giving Tree Drive
The Pike Place Market Foundation distributes over 1,000 gifts and warm winter clothes to the local community every holiday season. Support their mission by purchasing gifts from their Amazon Wish List. You can also make a cash donation or donate gift cards.
📅 When: now through December 15, 2024
📍Where: online (email ashleym@pikeplacemarketfoundation.org for in-person drop-offs)
ℹ️ More info here
5. The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition
Despite its silly name, this annual caroling competition is the Pike Market Senior Center and Food Bank’s most important fundraising event. You can participate as a volunteer, as part of a caroling team, or as one of the thousands of spectators who make donations in the form of a vote for their favorite carolers!
📅 When: Saturday, December 7, 2024 from noon to 2:30 p.m.
📍Where: Pike Place Market
ℹ️ More info here
6. Friends of Youth Giving Tree
Friends of Youth is working on getting gifts to local young people this holiday season. You can purchase a gift from the Amazon wish list and then ship them or drop them off in Kirkland. They also accept cash donations.
📅 When: November 24 through December 16, 2024
📍Where: online or via mail to: Friends of Youth office “Attn: Giving Tree” 13116 NE 132nd Street, Kirkland WA 98034
ℹ️ More info here
Looking for more volunteer opportunities in Seattle? Visit the United Way of King County website for both seasonal and year-round volunteer work. The University of Washington has also compiled a handy guide of ways to volunteer in the community.