This is the time of year when we remember how fortunate we are, and find a way to share what we have with those who have much less.
This year, Farallon’s Issaquah and Seattle offices will be celebrating the season with a giving tree to benefit YouthCare, which provides support to homeless young people from ages 12 through 24 through outreach, basic services, emergency shelter, housing, counseling, education, and employment training. A gift of art supplies, or socks, or a new watch will be more than just a present from a stranger, it’s a way to let the most vulnerable young people in our community know that someone cares.
Our Portland, Oregon office is collecting items to support the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. The program helps bring the magic of the holiday to children in need in the Portland Metro area with gifts of new clothing and toys. We want to give children who might otherwise have nothing for Christmas the joy of finding something from Santa just for them. And in our Oakland, California office, we’re participating in a toy drive to benefit the Oakland Children’s Hospital and supporting the Contra Costa Animal Shelter.
At Farallon, we understand that a big part of environmental stewardship is caring for the people who live there, not only at the holidays but throughout the year. Every member of our team can suggest ideas for charitable events, and get support in running them. This year, we’ve collected school supplies and school clothes for elementary-school children through organizations such as Operation School Bell, and new socks and underwear for Transition Projects; we’ve raced go-carts to support the Boys and Girls Clubs and teed off for Take a Swing Against Hunger; sorted and packed donated baby clothes for the Eastside Baby Corner; and donated food and money to the Alameda County Food Bank, Food Lifeline, Engineers Without Borders, the Oregon Food Bank, and Northwest Harvest. We already have even more events planned for 2018!