Umpqua taking Wish Upon a Star nomination
Umpqua Bank is taking nominations for its 16th annual Wish Upon a Star program that grants wishes for individuals and families struggling through hard times in Puget Sound now through Dec. 6.
The Wish Upon a Star program has granted $540,000 in wishes since 1998 tackling basic needs like furnace installations to unique requests like building wheelchair ramps for children. Umpqua is partnering with 94.1 KMPS, which will broadcast this year’s granted wishes weekdays at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 2-13.
To nominate a friend, neighbor or family member, go to www.umpquabank.com/wish or call 1-866-486-7782 to speak with a bank associate.
AAA holds Soap for Hope drive
AAA Washington has kicked off its 6th annual Soap for Hope donation drive to collect toiletry items for local shelters, food banks and other charitable organizations.Donations of new, full- and sample-size toiletry items such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes will be accepted year-round at all AAA locations.
Donations made at the AAA office in Bellevue, located at 14404 N.E. 20th St., Suite 150, will benefit YWCA Women’s Center. For more information, visit www.aaa.com/SoapForHope.
Donations needed for coat and book drives
Bellevue Youth Link is collecting new and gently used coats – as well as books for youth, teens and adults in the community. Last year, the Kids Care Coat Drive collected and distributed over 3,500 coats for Bellevue families in need .Bellevue Youth Link is a partnership of the city of Bellevue and Bellevue Public Schools. Coat and book donations can be dropped off through Monday, Jan. 6, at City Hall, Crossroads Mall Mini City Hall, all community centers and the following schools: Bellevue High, Newport High, Sammamish High, Interlake High, International School and Big Picture School.
Volunteers are also needed to help sort and distribute the donations. For information about other donation locations or volunteering, contact Patrick Alina, Youth Link program coordinator at palina@bellevuewa.gov or 425-452-5254.Donated coats and books will be distributed from 4-8 p.m. Jan. 7, at Crossroads Community Center, 16000 N.E. 10th St., while supplies last.For information about the coat and book distribution event, contact Vicki Drake, community services supervisor at vdrake@bellevuewa.gov or 425-452-4874.
Family holds food drive
The Families Helping Families Thanksgiving food drive will kick off Nov. 15 to collect food for 1,000 area families.Organized by the Kneip family, the seven-day event will take place at the Bellevue Village QFC. It is the sixth year for the collection.The food drive strives to provide full traditional Thanksgiving meals for families in need. It focuses specifically on those who do not qualify for outside aid, but still have to face the decision of what they can give up in order to feed their children.Volunteers, donors, and recipients are all residents of the same area. More information is available at thanksgivingfooddrive@hotmail.com.
Sleep Country holding toy drive
Sleep Country is holding a “Secret Santa Toy Drive” to ensure the Northwest’s nearly 20,000 foster children have a joyful Christmas.During the holidays, many foster children and youth enter new and unfamiliar homes. To make sure these children awake Christmas morning to find a present under the tree, the mattress retailer is asking its community to make a donation of a new, unwrapped toy or gift. All donations will be distributed among Sleep Country’s 24 partner foster organizations.
