Helping the helpers: Give to groups that make Vashon better

The holidays are a time for giving back. Here are just some of the many worthy causes on Vashon that support our neighbors in a variety of ways, 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 Eagles Club. Additionally, monetary donations can be made via check (make payable to Vashon Toy Drive and mail to 13401 Vashon Hwy SW, Vashon 98070) or through Venmo (Heidi-Grimsley-1).

By donating to the Vashon Toy Drive, you are telling more than 100 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 school district, 40-50 students per month receive an individual bag of healthy, 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 98070, writing “Backpack Pantry” in the memo line.

Comunidad is dedicated to fostering a thriving Latino community. Its focus areas include the environment, health, and climate justice; youth power through leadership and democracy, community-led economic development, and community pride and action. Comunidad also annually presents lively Mercados on Vashon that celebrate Latino cultures, entrepreneurship and community spirit. Ongoing efforts include a partnership with MLK Labor Council to connect Latino youth with career pathways; monthly youth leadership meetings to build confidence; cultural pride and action plans for systemic change; an alliance with Skyway Coalition and White Center CDA (United for a Community-Led Economy) to catalyze the talents and ideas of BIPOC communities in unincorporated King County; skill-building workshops, and an active internship program. Future projects include the creation of a full-time bilingual daycare. Find out more at the Facebook page Comunidad Latina Vashon.

The 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.

Friends of Mukai supports programs of the historic Mukai Farm & Garden including Japan Festival, Haiku Festival and Studio Ghibli Fest, and Day of Remembrance. Currently, the nonprofit has embarked on transforming the Mukai property’s Fruit Barreling Plant into a significant community hub for Vashon’s agricultural community in partnership with Vashon Island Growers Association. Donate at mukaifarmandgarden.org.

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.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society helps island individuals and families 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.

Outdoor youth programs — consider a donation to Journeymen/One Village (journeymen.us); Camp Burton (campburton.com/donate); Vashon Wilderness Program (vashonwilderness.org/support-vwp); Camp Sealth (campfireseattle.org/ways-to-give).

Partners in Education (PIE) raises money to fund innovative supplemental educational projects by local educators. Find out more and donate at vashonpie.org.

Sam Yates Community Foundation brings 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. Send donations to Sam Yates Community Foundation, PO Box 912, Vashon, 98070.

VashonBePrepared — volunteers and member organizations of VashonBePrepared band together to fulfill the motto: Neighbors Helping Neighbors. Groups under the VashonBePrepared banner include its Medical Reserve Corps, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and Neighborhood Emergency Response Organizations (NERO). To sustain this bedrock community effort, visit VashonBePrepared.org/Donate.

Vashon Bird Alliance — helping islanders enjoy, learn about and preserve birds and the diverse natural habitats of Vashon Island and beyond. Find out more at vashonbirdalliance.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 Food Bank provides nutritious food to island individuals and families each week and has now launched a capital campaign for its new home adjacent to Vashon United Methodist Church, in the center of Vashon, close to all other services and transportation. Donate food, volunteer time, or money at vashonfoodbank.org.

Vashon HouseHold provides a wide array of affordable housing options for islanders. Donate at vashonhousehold.org.

Vashon Island Grower’s Association supports growing, farming, and food production on the island while working to build a local agricultural economy that is equitable, accessible, and sustainable. Give at vigavashon.org.

Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust works to conserve and care for Vashon’s wild and working lands. Find out more and donate 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 Parks Foundation supports Vashon Park District projects, programs, facilities, and trails through fundraising support and community outreach. Key efforts include the restoration of Inspiration Point, the replacement of the Tramp Harbor Dock, support of the Vashon Pool, and the addition of pickleball courts to the Burton Area Recreation Center. Find out more and donate at vashonparksfoundation.org.

Vashon Schools Foundation helps support enrichment programs and helps Vashon Island School District meet unfunded needs. Find out more and donate at vashonschoolsfoundation.org.

Vashon Community Scholarships provides scholarships to all graduating Vashon high school seniors who apply. Find out more and donate at vashoncommunityscholarships.org.

Vashon Senior Center caters to seniors’ needs with activities and clubs, transportation programs, a 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; monthly donations are encouraged.

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.

Women Hold the Key, a women’s community center, offers classes, workshops, game nights, professional development opportunities, drop-in community days, movie and supper club events, and more. Monthly donations are encouraged. Find out more and donate at womenholdthekey.com.

Donate to Vashon Food Bank to ensure good food for all on Vashon, and support a capital campaign for a new and improved food bank in the center of Vashon. (Courtesy photo)

Support the transformation of Mukai Farm & Garden’s barreling plant into a hub for community growers by donating to mukaifarmandgarden.org. (Courtesy photo)