The superheroes at Gamma Ray Games are ready to help you make sure foster kids have new games for the holidays

Did December sneak up on you? We’re feeling a little behind schedule, ourselves. All the more reason to not delay and donate a warm coat, some gloves, or, yup, even games at various Capitol Hill restaurants, bars, and shops this holiday season. If you know of any neighborhood drives we should add, let us know or add a comment. We’ll update this roster through the end of the year so check back if you’re feeling giving. Happy holidays.

• Via Tribunali
  Via Tribunali on Capitol Hill is doing a donation drive for YouthCafe from November 28 through Christmas Eve. Customers can select hangtags on a small Christmas tree in the restaurant to donate most-needed items from the organization’s wish list like coats, books and more. 
• Gamma Ray Games — info
  While there’s always a lot to talk about, (seriously, have you SEEN the new bathroom yet? Your eyes will be blinded by cleanliness), what we’re talking about today is — like it or not, ready or not — it’s December (yes, already).And that means it’s time for our annual USED GAMES FOR NEW GAMES FOR FOSTER CHILDREN DRIVE wherein we ask you, the gaming community, to bring in your old games to us, so that we can turn them into store credit and use that credit to buy new games (kind of like making new cards in Hearthstone) that we donate to the Treehouse Wearhouse so that King County Foster Families can have free games for Christmas this year. It’s a great, completely free, way for you to share your passion and interests with some of our most deserving community members this holiday season so, please, by all means, bring in some used games for us to upcycle. You’ll be glad you did.
• Caffe Vita — info
  This holiday season, Caffe Vita is partnering with Food Lifeline to support local hunger-relief efforts, which provide more than 82,000 meals a day for children, families and seniors in need. For every $1 donated, Food Lifeline can provide four meals for individuals facing hunger. We will be matching donations to maximize funds for Food Lifeline, donate online now, or at any Seattle Caffe Vita location.
• Central Co-op — info
  Central Co-op is raising money for our two local food banks, Centerstone and Jewish Family Service. All money raised through our Community Foodraising Drive is placed on Central Co-op gift cards for these food banks to purchase whatever is most useful for their programs from our selection of nutritious, Earth-friendly foods.Our Foodraising Drive has raised over $5,000 so far this year! How much more can we raise if we all pull together? So let’s Round Up for our neighbors and community!
• 4th Annual Seattle Stand Down December 11th & 12th at Seattle Central — info
  The Seattle Stand Down, a premier project of One Less Mountain, is coordinated and managed completely by a dedicated group of volunteers…many of whom are veterans themselves! We have minimal over head and administrative costs unlike many other non profits, therefore, nearly 100% of your donation goes directly into serving the veterans! Each year we rely on the overwhelming generosity of the community to help make this event happen. If you wish to help in “giving a hand up” to our community’s veterans that are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless please consider making a tax deductible cash donation. These funds will be used to cover the cost of items such as a mobile dental clinic, much needed medical and dental supplies, hygiene items, socks, food and much more!
• Miller Park Community Center Holiday Party — volunteers needed! — info
• Toys for Tots
  The Lyric is an official Toys for Tots drop off location, and we will be collecting toys from now until December 14. We are inviting not only our residents, but everyone else in our neighborhood to help us get enough toys to make a difference this holiday season.Anyone interested in donating an unwrapped new toy or cash for this great cause can stop by The Lyric’s Lobby at 215 10th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102.
• Community Lunch on Capitol Hill — info

  Winter Wish List

  Another way to help is by collecting much-needed items for guests.  Here’s what our guests currently need most:

  • Sleeping bags

  • Men’s shoes (walking or athletic shoes)

  • Warm socks

  • Men’s bluejeans

  • Travel size toiletries

  • Pet food

  • Paperback books

  Items can be dropped off at Community Lunch any Tuesday or Friday morning.  Our offices are at Central Lutheran Church, 1710 11th Avenue.