Holiday Shopping with Kids

Each year the Rotary Community Service Committee, in conjunction with the Rotary Boys & Girls Club, creates a wonderful opportunity for all Rotarians and their friends and families to take a deserving, less-fortunate child on a holiday shopping outing.  All of the children are from the Rotary Boys & Girls Club and are selected for the program on the basis of need.

The idea is simple: on one day in December, volunteers who are willing to donate and spend their own money are paired with a child (typically ages 6-16) and accompany them on a 1-3 hour shopping excursion in downtown Seattle.  Typical destinations are Macy’s, Old Navy, Nordstrom Rack, or other stores that may have what each particular child needs (within the $200 spending limit).  Meeting at the Club at 19th and Spruce in South Capitol Hill, transportation is provided to and from the downtown shopping core.  Many volunteers, who often bring members of their own family to participate, have included lunch with the child as well (no obligation, of course).  This event is a wonderful way to help a child in need during the holidays.

Our meeting/departure times will be between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm.  Vans from the club will depart approximately every 15-20 minutes from the club and will rotate between the club and our drop-off/pick-up point at or near the Convention Center.  Our last pick-up from downtown back to the club will be at 3:00 pm.

Please contact Joel Ferrell as soon as possible if you are able to join us this year.  We have a limit of 40 pairings available and last year we had to establish a waitlist!  Please provide a meeting time that works for you, any age/gender preference, as well as a cell phone number in case we need to contact you while you are shopping.