It was a rainy, grey day, not unusual in Portland during this time of year, right before Christmas.
The rain outside was blowing down sideways; however, inside the With Love warehouse, it was warm and joyful as volunteers prepared stockings for the annual With Love toy drive.
“I just want to give a piece of my joy to someone else,” answered a young With Love volunteer who was being interviewed by KATU about why he enjoyed volunteering.
The best way to chase away those wintertime blues on a dreary day?:
do some good for someone else.
This year, volunteers from Churchill Mortgage and Nike Woman’s Business Operations team filled the 700 tie -dyed pillowcases (created, once again, by Nike design team)
Toys, supplies, blankets and books were donated from various churches, stores and groups from around the community.
The volunteers were divided up into several tables as they worked in an assembly line to fill up each pillowcase to the top with surprises, completing the task by tying an elegant ribbon at the very top.
One of the many things I love about With Love is the attention to detail in every single part of the volunteering experience.
The time spent investing in the project at hand is used efficiently.
Every time I spend time at With Love, nothing is wasted. This experience proved to be the same.
Volunteering here not only accomplishes a lot of good, but it’s also a mixture of fun and hard work; and there is definitely a spirit of camaraderie.
One of the things that added a special little perk to the morning was Randy at Intentional Espresso.
Randy is an entrepreneur who runs a little espresso stand. He was stationed at this With Love stocking event to keep volunteers fully caffeinated. It’s these small, but meaningful, additions that make the volunteering experience at With Love special.
And, there is a job for everyone!
Among the group volunteering that day were four kids from the Churchill Mortgage group. Ranging from age 3 to age 14, each person there was able to do something.
I watched as a smiling little three year old chose a special book and put it in the stocking.
This was something that was worth missing some school for; there are lessons that can not be learned from reading a book in class.
The task was accomplished in about 1.5 hours and the stockings were then distributed the following day at a drive - through event- complete with donuts and sideways rain.
150 foster families were served; approximately 260 stockings to children ages 0-6.
They were also given to two foster parent night out events and to the Salem Angels.
DHS from three locations (Alberta, East County and Washington County) picked up the stockings as well.
Even through this tumultuous season, With Love has never stopped working, and this Christmas, it is no different.
Searching for joy this season?
I found it here.
