The 5th Annual Joy and Justice Book and Gift Giveaway for kids will be held on December 16-18 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Evergreen Vista Apartments Community Center.
The community is encouraged to share in-kind or cash donations to reach the project's $4,000 goal. The money will be used to purchase new multicultural books and gifts for children aged 3 to 17.
Hundreds of stockings filled with new clothing, books, toys, board games, diapers, and other household items are given out to more families every year.
Accepted donations are cash, new and unwrapped toys, stocking stuffers, Christmas candy, and gently used kids’ books. Donation pick-up, drop-off, and volunteer queries can be emailed by clicking this link.
Community Organizer Talauna Reed started the philanthropic event five years ago after the death of her aunt, who inspired her.
“My aunt loved our Black Heritage and Culture and always prioritized learning about others. She loved feeding people, and often, she spent her holidays serving underprivileged folks. She had the biggest heart,” said Reed.
“What better way to honor her legacy (besides continuing to fight for Justice)," Reed continued, "than to give books and gifts to kids for the holidays?”
Reed also serves as a Thurston Climate Action Team (TCAT) board member, Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) organizer, and is a former member of the Olympia School District (OSD) Board of Directors.
“I cannot do this without help from the community. I haven't done this amazing work alone. I have an amazing group of volunteers and support from local businesses and organizations,” said Reed.
Reed said that some donors in the past years include the Moore Wright Group, YWCA, Evergreen Vista Apartments, Gabis Books and Comics, Psychic Sisters Olympia, and Showing Up for Racial Justice.
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Fluffhead
Hmmmmm
Monday, December 2 Report this
DeepFriedOly
As someone who has volunteered for this event for the past 4 years, I have personally witnessed the children this has helped. Instead of listening to the lies of someone who is attacking an event that has helped hundreds of children in our community, I challenge you to come out and see the event yourself. You will see the truth for yourself. It is a beautiful event for struggling families. It is held at a community center in a subsided apartment complex. It is organized by a team of volunteers and is being supported and uplifted by many businesses and Churches in Thurston County. I am disgusted by the comments making up lies about such a wonderful event.
5 days ago Report this