Embracing the Spirit of Giving
The employees at DCS are compassionate about donating their time, energy, and money to help make the holidays brighter for those in need. Each year, DCS teams up with a variety of charity organizations in both Seattle and Austin. “Throughout the year our team is involved in many giving opportunities. I am touched by the kindness of our team members who go out in their communities to volunteer their time and help fundraise for causes they are compassionate about. The amazing thing about compassion, it’s very contagious!”, Sheri Sherrell, Chief Giving Officer at DCS. Sheri is excited to share the organizations that DCS is working with this year:
Northwest Life Foundation – http://nwlifefoundation.com/
We helped the Northwest Life Foundation with their annual The Great Big Thanksgiving Grocery Give. Over 500 turkeys along with all the meals fixings such as bags of 5lb potatoes, vegetables, gravy, pies, and stuffing were provided to deserving families. Our staff also helped prepare and served lunch to the nearly 500 families that came to receive their meals just prior to Thanksgiving.
December 12th our staff helps to wrap donated gifts for the big Christmas Toy Giveaway.
Salvation Army – http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/red-kettle-history/
We raised nearly $1000 for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign in early October to kick off our giving season. DCS volunteers will once again be Red Kettle Ringers outside a local grocery store.
The More Love Project – https://www.themoreloveproject.org/
We donated winter coats, warm sweaters, gloves, and hats for the Winter Coat Drive on December 1st, 2017. The More Love Project distributes coats to homeless adults and children in the Seattle area.
The Maple Valley Food Bank – http://www.maplevalleyfoodbank.org/
We donated a truck full of food to the Maple Valley Food Bank. The Food Bank serves over 1000 families during the holiday season.
Make a Wish Foundation and Red Balloon Society – https://give.childrens.com/
Megan Shirley in the Austin office, gave all of us an opportunity to give through a wish granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation by purchasing a book authored by her cousin Christopher Shirley. At sixteen, he was diagnosed with end stage renal disease. He has spent a majority of his teenage years in and out of the ICU at Children’s Health in Dallas. Christopher decided that he wanted to write and publish a children’s book for other kids that are living in hospitals and battling illness. His book was published and is available for purchase online from Barnes & Noble (link below). Christopher Shirley will be donating all of the proceeds back to Children’s Health where he’s been receiving treatment. We were so moved by this sweet book, we became donors through the Red Balloon Society.
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-giant-who-played-checkers-christopher-d-shirley/1127161532
Shop With A Cop – http://maplevalleyrotary.org/
This event is sponsored by the Maple Valley Rotary Club. Over 450 under privileged kids get the opportunity to receive a $50 holiday shopping spree at Walmart. They are paired up with a police officer to help them shop.
Wreaths Across America – http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/
On December 16, 2017, we will be participating in wreath-laying ceremonies at Washington National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. The mission of Wreaths Across America Day is to Remember, Honor, and Teach. These ceremonies are held at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as over 1,200 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad.
From all of us at DCS, we wish you a joyous holiday season.