Each week I deliver another reason to be thankful for living in Lake Oswego. How about taking that gratitude and paying it forward this holiday season? Here are 5 ways you can give right here in our community.

1. Hasson Company Dress for Success clothing drive. Help local disadvantaged women who are trying to become more economically independent by supporting the Dress for Success clothing drive. Donations can be dropped off at any of the Hasson Company Portland Metro offices, including mine at 15400 Boones Ferry Road, from November 7-11. Items needed include gently used dresses, pants/slacks, blouses/professional tops, blazers/jackets/winter coats, professional shoes, handbags, jewelry, accessories (belts, scarves, gloves, umbrellas), new and packaged bras, hosiery and cosmetics. Financial contributions are also being accepted–$500 supports one woman’s services through the program for an entire year. Clothing is just one piece of the package that Dress for Success offers. Women also receive résumé, job search, and interview preparation as well as job success services. Dress for success is definitely not just a “help out” program but a “hand up.” https://oregon.dressforsuccess.org/get-involved/donate/
2. “Fill a Stocking, Fill a Heart.” Brighten the holidays for clients of Clackamas County social service agencies. Pick up a handmade stocking or two at one of several city locations and fill with unwrapped needed items like socks, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and gifts for kids ages 9 and up. Once the basics have been met, you can add age appropriate extras like stuffed animals, art supplies, movie tickets, bus passes and store gift cards. Then return the stockings by December 2. Pick-up and drop-off locations in Lake Oswego include:

• Bank of America, 16209 Bryant Road
• D.A. Davidson & Co., Two Centerpointe Drive, #325
• Lake Oswego Adult Community Center, 505 G Avenue
• Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation Department, 1500 Greentree Road

In the past, at least a hundred stockings have been filled each year in Lake Oswego alone, and Clackamas County has distributed 2500 to 3000 stockings to over 20 different agencies. For many individuals, this is the only gift they’ll receive. For further information check out the website. http://www.fillastocking.org/

3. Bring a smile to a child by donating to the Lake Oswego Fire Department’s Toy Drive. Starting Thanksgiving week, you can drop off new, unwrapped toys to any of the Lake Oswego fire stations. Donations will go to the Elks Club who will distribute them to families in need.
4. Support Clackamas Women’s Services by visiting the Giving Trees at various business locations in Lake Oswego and fulfilling someone’s wish list. Starting November 18, the Lake Oswego Mother’s Club will be coordinating the trees, decorating them with gift tag ornaments, and collecting donations. Select an ornament, purchase the item and then return the gift unwrapped but in a festive Christmas box by December 9. Pickup and Drop-off locations include the Lake Oswego Library, Burncycle, Lakeshore Learning, both Rite-Aids, Alberton’s, Metro Gymnastics, The Little Gym, Kyra’s Bake Shop, and the Lake Oswego Academy of Dance. Clackamas Women’s Services assists women and children trying to live a life free of domestic violence.
5. Contribute to the canned food drives at local high schools. Both Lake Oswego and Lakeridge High Schools will be sponsoring canned food drives during the holidays, beginning December 5 and running through December 16. You can drop donations off at the high school main office, or if you know a student, send your cans in with him or her. Lakeridge: 1235 Overlook Drive, 503.534.2319; Lake Oswego High School: 2501 Country Club Road, 503.534.2313.

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