by Zanetha Amani Matisse
Orcas Community Resource Center
The Giving Tree is up at Island Market, marking the arrival of the holiday season on Orcas. Since its inception in 1999, the Giving Tree has brought holiday cheer to families and children in need. Tags filled with children’s Christmas wish lists are loaded upon its boughs. That’s where you come in. Won’t you help us make every holiday merry and bright for all of our Orcas youth? You can participate by one or more of the following ways:
• Pick out a tag on the Giving Tree, purchase the gifts that this child has requested, then return the wrapped gifts to the Orcas Community Resource Center (OCRC), via OCRC’s no-contact drop-off and pre-arranged drop-off/pick-up times. Simply call to arrange a time for a no-contact gift drop-off. Once you arrive at OCRC, please ring the front video doorbell. A staff member will then be alerted to take the gift(s) inside for safekeeping until they are distributed to the child or sibling group you’ve selected.
• If you would like to shop for a child, or sibling group, but are unable to stop by Island Market and select a tag yourself, you may contact Jana Daniel-Webb at OCRC ( jana@orcascrc.org/ 360-376-3184) and she will select one for you.
Make a cash donation at any Island Market cash register using the donation tags located next to the Giving Tree. Any amount helps, and will go directly towards the cost of procuring gifts for our Orcas youth in need.
• Donate directly to the Orcas Community Resource Center using our online donation form on our website. (http://www.orcascrc.org/the-giving-tree) Be sure to specify that your contribution goes to “The Giving Tree”, in the Comments box located at the bottom of the form.
• Shop local! You’re encouraged to shop locally to support our Orcas businesses. Many businesses would be happy to help select a gift if you are unable to shop in person. Let’s support our island during this holiday season with our Orcas Strong can-do attitude!
There is still time to place your children’s wish lists on the Giving Tree! While the official deadline has passed, the Orcas Community Resource Center wants to extend cheer to every family in need this year. A Giving Tree form must be submitted for each child. Forms are available at Island Market, via download from OCRC’s website (http://www.orcascrc.org/the-giving-tree), or by emailing Jana Daniel-Webb (jana@orcascrc.org) and requesting a form. Completed forms may be dropped into Santa’s Mailbox at Island Market, dropped through the mail slot in the OCRC back door facing Prune Alley at 374A N Beach Road, or emailed to Jana directly (jana@orcascrc.org). Please return your forms as soon as possible so the elves have plenty of time to shop for your children.
And speaking of elves, Santa’s Mailbox has made its appearance, too. Getting letters to Santa can be a little tricky if you don’t have your own sleigh and elves to help deliver your correspondence. Luckily, Island Market employs special holiday elves who have a special Zoom connection with Santa and Mrs. Claus in their workshop at the North Pole!
The Giving Tree is a program that provides gifts for local children who may otherwise go without this holiday season. The Giving Tree project is coordinated in partnership with Judi Lindgren, Island Market, and the Orcas Community Resource Center. This program is funded by Orcas Island community members (that participate in or donate to the project) and the Orcas Lions Club. If you’re a family in need this year, don’t hesitate to reach out to the OCRC. We have programs and services to help you get through these trying times. For more information on this and other services, visit www.orcascrc.org, email info@orcascrc.org or call 360-376-3184.
