Giving Tuesday 2024 In Gig Harbor, WA
I’m all about giving back—it’s a cornerstone of my business. In fact, I believe so much in giving back that I started the Chelsea Paige Foundation, and a portion of every real estate transaction goes to local organizations.
In anticipation of Giving Tuesday coming up on December 3, 2024, here are as many of our local charities that I could find in and around Gig Harbor. Consider following them on social media or visiting them online to give—they need every donation they can get! If you can’t give funds, though, these local charities are always looking for hands-on volunteers, which are the lifeblood of any organization.
With over 10,000 children in foster care in Washington State, and the average cost to send one child to prom being over $900, many foster teens report missing prom purely for financial reasons. Since 2015 we have received thousands of donated dresses and countless shoes and accessories. In 2018, we expanded and are thrilled to now be serving all low-income teens in need of assistance, in addition to continuing service for our local foster youth. We are accepting donations and welcoming volunteers to help make this exciting event possible. The goal is that every teen will have the opportunity to attend prom feeling confident and care-free...free of charge.
There are multiple ways to get involved: you can donate a dress, give financially, support them through AmazonSmile or Fred Meyer’s Community Rewards Program, shop their wishlist on Amazon, or volunteer at their boutique!
THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SOUTH PUGET SOUND
Our mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Boys & Girls Clubs give kids a place to call their own, where they can have fun, get a hot meal, be creative, be a part of a team, get help with homework, and hang out with friends. We offer safe, fun, inclusive, and inspiring places that kids and their families count on every day.
Pierce, Kitsap, and Mason counties have nine locations with open doors that offer spaces for children and teens to learn, create, and attain their best in academics, athletics, and more. We also operate a variety of licensed childcare and extended learning opportunities at local schools.
Read more about volunteering or donating.
CHEW Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing abandoned dogs, dogs scheduled for euthanasia due to shelter space limitations, and other dogs who need us. We are always looking to find additional foster homes and acquire funding for veterinary care and other essential elements of dog rescue to allow us to help more dogs in need. CHEW (Canine Health Education and Welfare) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.
Organized in 2006 to advocate for a fenced off-leash dog park in the Gig Harbor area, we now dedicate our time to rescuing dogs in need. We also promote responsible dog ownership including canine health and behavioral topics. Feel free to download CPR for Dogs and a Pet Disaster Checklist.
Check out the website to learn more about how you can foster, volunteer, donate, or adopt.
COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS, PENINSULA
Communities In Schools is dedicated to empowering students to stay in school and on a path to a brighter future. Working directly inside 10 schools in the Peninsula School District and one school in the South Kitsap School District, we connect kids to caring adults and community resources designed to help them succeed.
In addition to donating money or volunteering your time, you can also help out by participating in their Fall Clothing Drive until November 22nd. Check back here for more updated information about their annual Holiday Gift Drive.
Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank began in June 1976 and was incorporated in August 1985 from a group of people who believed that every person in our community is our neighbor. Neighbors care and take care of one another. “Neighbor helping neighbor” has been our motto since our inception. Everyone in the greater Gig Harbor/Key Peninsula area belongs to Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH by nature of contributing food, money, clothing or housewares, or volunteering in some aspect of its operation or by receiving services.
FISH offers multiple ways to help out, including volunteering, donating through partner programs, or contributing items to their toy drive.
It’s all about Feeding Kids! Food Backpacks 4 Kids exists to meet the nutritional needs of hungry and food-insecure children and their families living on the Key Peninsula and in Gig Harbor. Children thrive when they have access to healthy food and our community volunteers work hard to collect and distribute food to any family in need with children in the home.
Besides providing food backpacks to students in the Peninsula School District they also run a Family Pantry, school Care Cupboards, and home delivery for any families not able to shop themselves.
Take a look at their website for more information on how you can get involved.
THE GIG HARBOR & KEY PENINSULA SUICIDE PREVENTION COALITION
Our mission is to reduce the number of suicide attempts in both youth and adults in the region. We do so by offering free training sessions to help others learn what to listen for—from someone who may be having thoughts of suicide and can help guide individuals to resources to help save lives!
Donations can be made directly on their website.
GIG HARBOR TIDES SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
The Gig Harbor Tides Scholarship Foundation is a group of volunteers that facilitate Gig Harbor High School Seniors in applying for and obtaining local scholarships.
The funds come not only from fundraising efforts, but also community members, organizations, other public schools in the Peninsula School District, and local business owners.
See how you can get involved today!
GIG HARBOR YACHT CLUB JUNIOR SAIL PROGRAM
The vision of the junior sail program is to “inspire local area youth to have a life-long dedication to and love of sailing.” They work with sailors of all skill levels and offer summer sailing camps and private lessons as well as facilitate racing teams for three different age groups.
As a non-profit organization, they are grateful for any ways you can assist, whether donating time, money, or even a boat.
At Girls on the Run we inspire ALL girls to build confidence and make intentional decisions, while fostering care and compassion for self and others. Trained coaches use physical activity and dynamic discussions to build social, emotional, and physical skills in every girl while encouraging healthy habits for life.
There are so many ways to get involved! Coach a team, become a junior coach, volunteer, start a team, learn how you can provide financial support, and more!
The Greater Gig Harbor Foundation works to strengthen our greater Gig Harbor and Key Peninsulas community through collaborative engagement to build, bridge, and enrich the region by raising funding, advocating for, and providing support to help meet diverse needs in five core areas–arts and culture, education, environment, recreation, and social capital–all essential to supporting vibrant, healthy, and sustainable communities.
Learn about different ways you can help by donating funds, volunteering your time, or developing a community service project.
It is our mission to break the cycle of homelessness among Washington’s youth, and foster independent living by providing shelter, food, clothing, life skills, substance abuse education, referral services, and mentoring.
Give a donation, shop their needs list, or become involved in their Mentoring, Transportation and Provide-a-Home programs.
Our mission is to inspire stewardship for the Puget Sound, and greater Salish Sea, by providing equitable learning opportunities about the environment to our local community and beyond. We do this by offering a variety of programs for students, adults, and families including guided walking tours, community science monitoring, junior naturalist camps, classroom and field STEM workshops, and the operation of a marine interpretive center. Our dedicated staff and volunteers now deliver 600 interactive environmental education programs to over 30,000 residents and visitors of Pierce and Kitsap Counties each year.
Learn more about how you can volunteer or donate.
The Jaycox Gig Harbor Police Benevolent Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to charitable and educational purposes by assisting members of the community in need, especially youth and volunteer programs. Among the goals of this organization is to provide scholarships and tuition assistance to foster academic achievement and encourage exemplary citizenship with the youth of Gig Harbor. These scholarships may be offered on a yearly basis to students who have been accepted for full-time enrollment in an accredited college or vocational institution or who are currently enrolled in such an institution.
If you are interested in donating, contact the main office at the Gig Harbor Police Department.
Key Peninsula Civic Center (KPCC) is at the heart of the Key Peninsula community. Many local organizations call this facility home for meetings, events, and fundraisers. Individuals also find the Civic Center a convenient and affordable option for weddings, memorials, skate parties, and more!
The Key Peninsula Civic Center Association (KPCCA) is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the welfare of the Key Peninsula community and citizens, and to encouraging civic consciousness through active participation in constructive projects that improve our community.
Support the Key Peninsula Civic Center by donating or volunteering.
KEY PENINSULA SENIOR CENTER FOOD BANK
We are an active and vibrant nonprofit Food Bank, Senior Meal Site, and Senior Center serving the Key Peninsula and surrounding communities. Our community organization was founded in 1982 by a small group of dedicated and forward-thinking people who saw a need and found a way to fill it.
Learn more here about ways you can donate to the center.
The Longbranch Improvement Club was formed in 1921 “to encourage any activity for the betterment of Schools, Home making, Roads, Marketing, Dairy, Poultry and all its branches.” Today, the LIC continues to serve the community with thousands of hours of volunteer enthusiasm and furthering their mission of providing an opportunity for the community to meet, interact, and work together for mutual benefit.
Learn more about what they do and how you can give to the Longbranch Improvement Club or its sister organization, the Longbranch Foundation.
The Mustard Seed Project promotes independent living and quality of life for seniors residing on the Key Peninsula in western Washington by providing services and programs in five focus areas: transportation, information and referral, health and wellness, senior housing options, and community education.
Check out the many ways that you can get involved!
New Phoebe House provides housing, services, treatment, and support to Pierce County mothers and their children impacted by chemical dependency. We help our residents reach reunification with their children through healing, self-sufficiency, and clean and sober living.
Learn more about how you can help.
Peninsula Hands On Art is proud to be celebrating 20 years and over 206,000 art projects in the greater Gig Harbor area! Founded in 2003 Peninsula Hands On Art provides art instruction to over 4,000 students each year. Reaching every elementary student in the Peninsula School District, it is our program's foundational belief that students across all socioeconomic backgrounds should have the same educational opportunity and ability to access artist quality materials and art education.
See how you can get involved or donate today!
PENINSULA SCHOOLS EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Their mission is to support the Peninsula School District by providing resources to encourage innovative teaching and educational practices, and to advocate within our community and to pursue resources from individuals and organizations.
There are so many ways to give!
PERMISSION TO START DREAMING FOUNDATION
Started in 2011, the PTSD Foundation seeks to strengthen the physical and mental wellbeing of veterans and first responders in the Pacific Northwest through programs such as monthly huddles, growth workshops, and Warrior PATHH training. They also host the Race for a Soldier held every year on September 11th and the annual prayer breakfast, among other events.
There are multiple volunteer opportunities available, and donations are always welcome.
A non-profit organization located on the grounds of the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor, PPP trains rescue and purpose-bred dogs as service, therapy, and companion animals and operates a boarding and grooming facility to provide vocational education for women inmates. Our program benefits all involved–the animals who are given the chance to lead lives of service, the inmates who learn valuable skills so they may find gainful employment upon release, and the individuals with disabilities who receive well-trained dogs to help increase their level of independence.
Ways to help include giving a donation, volunteering, sponsoring a program participant or rescue dog, and more.
Raising Girls provides necessary hygiene products to girls in the South Sound, and partners with local organizations committed to serving our youth. Our commitment is to eliminate humiliation, promote pride, and share love to thousands of girls in our community!
Check of their website to see how you can donate or offer your support!
Red Barn Youth Center’s mission is to provide a safe, supervised place for Key Peninsula youth in 6th through 12th grade to go after school to have fun, find guidance, develop positive relationships, and become community-minded citizens. They do this through providing a free venue for youth to come to; sports, games, and artistic opportunities; a place to receive homework help after school; encouragement and guidance from caring adults; and opportunities to be involved in community service projects.
Check out their needs for groceries, other items, and volunteers, or make a donation today.
And don’t forget ALL the LOCAL PTA/VPO/PTO’S!
Paige Schulte, top real estate agent in Gig Harbor and your neighborhood expert, has all you need to know about our wonderful community. Visit Paige’s Gig to learn more.
Interested in selling your current home or starting the search for your dream home? Call us today at (253) 313-4093 or book a call at your convenience.