EVERETT — At least one little girl in Snohomish County is going to hop out of bed on Christmas hoping Santa didn’t forget her.
That child will find a sparkly purple bike with training wheels and streamers.
The gift wasn’t carried to her home on a sleigh. Instead, it was transported part of the way on a bike rack attached to the front of a bus.
Some charities ring bells; others put out bins. Employees of Everett Transit and members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 883 use a 35-foot red Everett Transit bus.
This holiday season, dozens of volunteers stood outside a south Everett Fred Meyer and asked people to donate toys, food and clothing. This year, the community reached deep.
“You see a certain toy come in and you think some little girl, some little boy is really going to enjoy this,” said Matt Coomes, an Everett Transit employee. “It hits you that this is going to allow some families to escape their troubles for a season.”
It was so rewarding that he volunteered 12 hours and donated $80 from his own pocket — even though pipes burst in his house during the recent cold snap and he had an unexpected plumbing bill.
On Monday, a bus crammed with gifts rolled into the parking lot of Volunteers of America, the group that will connect all those donations with families in the community.
Every corner of the bus was filled: Candyland, Operation, Yahtzee, Littlest Pet Shop, Barbies, Transformers and plush animals of every stripe. Children’s outfits hung from the ceiling.
The sparkly purple bike was hooked to the front of the bus on a bike rack.
Food was stacked up by the ton. It wasn’t just canned peas. There were signs that people really thought about what they were giving. For example, grocery bags were filled with everything for holiday meals, complete with seasonings.
In total, folks gave 5,500 pounds of food — a full ton more than last year.
It’s needed.
“We’re seeing a lot more families that have never asked for support,” said Caterina Tassara, a director at Volunteers of America. “Times are really difficult.”
A lot of those families have small children, she said. She and her staff plan to spend the week making special deliveries to families.
Volunteers are taking the time to match people with just the right gifts.
“Our community is so generous,” Coomes said. “This is going to improve Christmas for a lot of families.”
Debra Smith: 425-339-3197, dsmith@heraldnet.com
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
