Throughout the fall season, Elves signed up to provide a personalized gift package for individual children who had previously registered with the program.  On this day, beautifully wrapped gifts began pouring into Jubilee, quickly filling the holding room.  This continued all week until the floor, tables, and walls were covered with a sea of color.  It was magical!

Families registered for this first distribution day mainly came through Jubilee REACH’s Groceries for Families program, so there is an existing relationship.  The outside space under the canopies was transformed by volunteers into a festive space, setting the stage for fun, joy, and a very special event.  While we told families it opened at 3:00pm, we secretly opened at 2:00pm and enjoyed the flow of families for the next four hours.  Volunteers were staged throughout, with one directive: “just love the person right in front of you.”   

Here’s a quick view: 

• 362 families were served 

• 800 children and 15 toddlers are in these families 

• Families received: 

• Gift package for each child 3 to 12th grade 

• Small gift card for each toddler under 3 

• Fred Meyer gift cards for the family to buy groceries 

• Jubilee tote bag 

• Fleece blanket 

• Christmas wreath 

• Knitted hats, gloves, and scarves 

• Freshly baked bread 

• Wrapping paper and bows 

• Hot chocolate and cookies 

This day was divided into two phases:  

1. At 8:00am, truckloads of toys from various donor groups in the community began arriving at Jubilee REACH.  Volunteers were scheduled in shifts all day to unload, sort, and set up a “toy shop” in our Big Room.  By the afternoon, volunteers transformed the room into a place of wonder and excitement, ready for families to come. 

2. From 3:00-6:00pm, families came to pick up their Christmas gifts.  All of these families came referred through the Bellevue School District, with many experiencing homelessness.  For most of them, it was their first time to Jubilee REACH, and they had no expectation of what was to come.  It was a fun chance to surprise them and wrap them in love.   

Here’s a quick view: 

• 97 families were served 

• 161 children and 8 toddlers are in these families 

• Families received: 

• Gift package for each child 3 to 12th grade 

• Small gift card for each toddler under 3 

• Safeway gift cards for the family to buy groceries 

• Jubilee tote bag 

• Knitted hats, gloves, and scarves 

• Time to choose toys for each child in the toy shop 

This day was more intimate, as families with children at Lake Hills Elementary are part of the Jubilee REACH’s Before and After-School program attended this day. We know them very well, as we see them nearly daily. 

Here’s a quick view: 

• 22 families were served 

• 53 children and 3 toddlers are in these families 

• Families received: 

• Gift package for each child 3 to 12th grade 

• Small gift card for each toddler under 3 

• Fred Meyer gift cards for the family to buy groceries 

• Jubilee tote bag 

• Fleece blanket 

• Knitted hats, gloves, and scarves 

• Time to choose toys for each child in the toy shop 

During the event on December 8, there wasn’t space or time for families to go through the “toy shop.” We invited all 362 families to return on this day from 8:30am-1:30pm to choose toys for each child. Super fun! 

We invited families participating in ECEAP (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program) through the Bellevue School District from 4:30-6:30pm on this day. The BSD Family Engagement Specialists, who have strong relationships, referred all these families, joined us, and volunteered, making it even more special. 

Here’s a quick view: 

• 165 families were served 

• 336 children are in these families 

• Families received: 

• Safeway gift cards for the family to buy groceries 

• Time to choose toys for each child in the toy shop 

Throughout the fall, Jubilee REACH was contacted by many families seeking Christmas assistance, but they couldn’t be allocated into any existing category to be included. Additionally, the BSD Family Engagement Specialists also had families in need of Christmas help but nowhere to place them. The morning was set aside to invite all of those families to come to choose toys from the “toy shop,” which still had a nice selection available.   

Here’s a quick view: 

• 40 families were served 

• 85 children are in these families 

• Families received: 

• Time to choose toys for each child in the toy shop 

During the pandemic, Jubilee REACH partnered with El Dios Viviente Church in White Center, West Seattle, to assist them in supporting many struggling families in that community. On this date, we transported all remaining Christmas items and winter coats over to the church so they could distribute them to families in time for Christmas day.