Donation trees now up to help Toys for Sequim Kids

Annual event helps hundreds of local children receive gifts Dec. 17

By Matthew Nash • November 13, 2024 1:30 am
Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash Toys for Sequim Kids, seen here in 2023, offers families in the Sequim School District free gifts for children ages 1-18 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17 at the Sequim Prairie Grange.
Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash Toys for Sequim Kids, seen here in 2023, offers families in the Sequim School District free gifts for children ages 1-18 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17 at the Sequim Prairie Grange.

Organizers of Toys for Sequim Kids are preparing for another season of giving.

Volunteers with Sequim Community Aid, the local nonprofit who organizes the Christmas-time event, recently placed donation trees/boxes at five locations in Sequim to provide gifts for children ages 1-18, including new age-appropriate toys, games, clothes, sports equipment, and much more.

Donation locations include: Anytime Fitness, 10135 Old Olympic Highway Highway; The Co-Op Farm and Garden, 216 E. Washington St.; Sequim Electronics (Radio Shack), 680 W. Washington St., B106; Sequim Valley Foursquare, 9090 Old Olympic Hwy.;and YMCA of Sequim, 610 N. Fifth Ave. Donations will be accepted through Sunday, Dec. 15.

Event set

Toys for Sequim Kids takes place 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, at the Sequim Prairie Grange, 290 Macleay Road in Sequim. Parents and guardians must show proof of Sequim School District residency, with only one adult allowed to enter the event, and no child care available.

Co-organizer Kathy Suta said Lego sets and Pokemon items remain popular among children, and presents for teens continue to be a huge need. She said about 40% of the families who visited in 2023, sought gifts for children ages 13-18.

Some of the recommended presents for teens include name brand hoodies, make-up, video games, headphones/earbuds, and Nerf guns.

Last year’s event provided items for about 450 Sequim-area children.

Suta said with the event staying open later in recent years, it’s seen higher participation rates among working parents.

Support for toys

Suta said they need people to help set up Toys for Sequim Kids starting at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 16. To volunteer, call Sequim Community Aid at 360-681-3731 and leave a message.

Blue Sky Realty, 190 Priest Road, will continue to collect new blankets and new clothing for the event, and The Linus Project and the Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Club will provide many quilts, Suta said.

Waste Connections – Olympic Disposal’s employees also donate many bikes for the event.

Information on Clallam County Fire District 3’s Santa’s Toy and Food Fire Brigade is forthcoming.

Support utilities/rent

Along with Toys for Sequim Kids, Sequim Community Aid offers year-round utility and rental assistance for residents in the Sequim School District.

Suta said this year requests are already up about 20% from 2023, with an increase in the winter’s colder months.

To help the nonprofit with donations mail to: Sequim Community Aid, P.O. Box 1591, Sequim, WA, 98382 and specify checks with “toys” in the memo line for Toys for Sequim Kids, or leave the memo blank for utilities, organizers said.

For assistance, to volunteer, or with questions call Sequim Community Aid at 360-681-3731 and leave a message.

Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash/ Volunteer Linda Reichl helps a parent at Sequim Community Aid’s Toys for Sequim Kids’ 2023 event pick out items for her children. Reichl said she loves “to be part of a community that does this for others.” Donation boxes went up across Sequim last week, with donations accepted through Dec. 15. The event is set for 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17 at the Sequim Prairie Grange.

Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash/ Volunteer Linda Reichl helps a parent at Sequim Community Aid’s Toys for Sequim Kids’ 2023 event pick out items for her children. Reichl said she loves “to be part of a community that does this for others.” Donation boxes went up across Sequim last week, with donations accepted through Dec. 15. The event is set for 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17 at the Sequim Prairie Grange.