11.27.2019

More Than 30 Reasons to Be Thankful

By Catherine Krummey, Treehouse Marketing & Social Media Manager

This holiday season, we have a lot to be thankful for at Treehouse. For the past 30 days, we have been celebrating by sharing our gratitude for our youth, volunteers, donors, caregivers, community partners and more on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with our #30daysofthanks posts.

Youth, Caregivers and Staff

“I’m thankful for the young adults who I get to meet with every week. I’m thankful to walk alongside them, building relationship and striving together to help them achieve their goals,” said Janelle Smith, Treehouse Senior Education Specialist. “I’m also thankful for social workers, caregivers, teachers and school counselors. It is amazing to see what can happen when a team of supporters partner together for a student. Thank you for being invested, being present and being strong advocates for these young adults!”

Sherry Edwards, our Senior Education Specialist in Shoreline Public Schools, gave three shoutouts to individuals and groups she works with on a regular basis.

“I’d like to thank our In-School Mentors in Shoreline,” Sherry said. “You are available when I am not. You let me know when youth are in need. You remind me about important events that are school specific, like assemblies and testing days. You are one of the links that support youth everyday. Former Mentors Leslie Buchanan and Eric Solbakken—and new Mentor Hirut Mamo—I am thankful for you!”

Lindsay Hastings, our Annual Giving Manager, recognized our Builders Monthly Giving Club for their support of our programs.

“Thank you, Builders, for your ongoing commitment to our 2022 goal, so youth in care will graduate from high school at the same rate as their peers with support and a plan to launch successfully into adulthood,” she said.

Amy Shafer, our Holiday Magic Coordinator, honored the donors who support our Holiday Magic program.

“Being able to receive a meaningful gift during a time that’s not always bright makes a world of difference,” Amy said. “Thank you for supporting us as we distribute over 5,000 holiday gifts!”

She also called attention to our outstanding volunteers: “I don’t know how Holiday Magic would get by without our volunteers coming in to assist with registrations, answering questions and labeling gifts so they are ready to be sent to folks’ homes. Thank you!”

Neeyati Johnson, Treehouse Store Volunteer Coordinator, shared her appreciation for father-son volunteering duo Zachary and Larry Pederson.

“At 9 years old, Zachary is one of our youngest ongoing volunteers,” she said. “He’s an incredibly quick learner, and he does an amazing job at making the Treehouse Store a friendly and inviting place. Huge thanks to Zachary and Larry for their support!”

Community Members and Organizations

We put out a call for the community to donate Halloween costumes to the Treehouse Store, our free store for youth in foster care, and folks came through. One of our youth loves Pokémon and was thrilled with his Pokémon Pokeball costume and matching shoes.

A company donated sample toys just when we were starting to run low in the store. A volunteer group unloaded and processed them so they could move directly into the store. One youth was really excited about her brand new slime kit.

Treehouse Education Advocate Brian Reese shared this shoutout for our #30daysofthanks: “I am thankful for the support that Red Door Café has shown. They always provide meeting space to host foster family and adoption information events in addition to monthly resource development events. At our last event, they provided refreshments and baked goods for the attendees free of charge.”

The reasons we have to be thankful easily add up to more than 30. To everyone who supports Treehouse, we offer our deepest appreciation for your dedication to youth in foster care.

To see more of our #30daysofthanks posts and keep up with what’s new at Treehouse, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter.

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