By The Nisqually Valley News
In 2024, Community Youth Services (CYS) supporters provided holiday gifts to over 400 youth, young adults, and families, and secured over 5,000 warm-clothing items for last year’s Winter Wonders drive, according to a news release from CYS.
Now, Winter Wonders is back, and CYS invites the community to help meet urgent seasonal needs again this year.
“Winter Wonders is community care in action,” Derek Harris, CEO of Community Youth Services said. “Every gift, coat, and card reminds young people that they matter — and that this community stands with them.”
From Saturday, Nov. 1, to Wednesday, Dec. 31, CYS invites individuals, families, community groups, and workplaces to make a difference by participating in its holiday gift giving program and warm clothing drive.
The release stated that ways individuals can help include:
• Selecting an individual or family. Choose a youth, young adult, or family from CYS’s wish list and complete a short confirmation form, available at https://tinyurl.com/yfajz93f. Gift bags for young people at Rosie’s Place can also be sponsored.
• Financial contributions. Donations ensure CYS can purchase gifts for youth and families not yet matched with a donor, and can be made at https://tinyurl.com/5x32ac5b.
• Amazon Wishlist, viewable at https://tinyurl.com/2ppma44a. Ship essentials directly to CYS to support youth and families.
• Gift cards offer choice and dignity for food, clothing, and essentials.
Gifts should be delivered to 711 State Ave NE, Olympia by Dec. 17, with each bag/box labeled with the family number and donor’s name/organization on it.
Gift-wrapping supplies are encouraged, but gifts should not be wrapped upon dropoff.
For questions or more information, Contact Sarah at 360-918-7881 or shodge@communityyouthservices.org.
