December 2023 marked the 43rd year of Christmas House helping families in need from over 20 different cities in Snohomish County. Parents got to select free holiday gifts for their children at the “Christmas House” store. In 2023, the store opened on November 30th for a three-week period. When the store finally closed on December 16th ,8,239 children from 2,940 families received over 52,000 free gifts. This included children from about 100 families in transition.

Christmas House again sets up at the North Everett Boys and Girls Club. Thanks to the Boys and Girls Club for letting us use the gym, it’s truly a perfect facility to host Christmas House. Each morning at 7:00am we start handing out numbers to parents, 200 each .day during the week and 300 on Saturdays. Anyone who was unable to wait in line for a number due to documented medical reasons, was given an appointment. When their number is called, parents provide proof of Snohomish County residency, children’s birth dates, custody, income, and family size at our registration desk. Once registered, they were escorted through Christmas House by a volunteer.

Parents select a large and small gift, book, stocking hat and warm gloves, stuffed animals, and stocking stutter for each child. On average, each child receives about $60 worth of gifts. Parents were also invited to select an item from our family gifts.

Once again, the citizens of Snohomish County and beyond met the challenge of helping their neighbors celebrate the holidays. Thanks to many individuals, local businesses and foundations, cash donations from January through December of 2023 were $126,000. Throughout the year, we applied for and received foundation donations and workplace donations. People generously brought in toys, gifts, and money to our donation sites. Individuals, families, clubs, churches, and businesses all made significant contributions. Thanks to the generous donations, we were also able to give away a total of 450 bicycles, skateboards, and tricycles.

A very special “thank you” for the help of our over 800 volunteers from Snohomish County and beyond. Without every one of them, we could not have met and served the needs of these families. Our volunteers were enthusiastic and warm hearted. Their goodwill touched the hearts of the thousands of people they assisted.

Christmas House is already preparing for 2024. With the continued support of our loyal donors and volunteers, we will continue to meet the challenges and needs of children in our community.

Sincerely,
Gregg Milne
Christmas House President