Just a handful of the many gifts received and wrapped for presentation at the Looking Glass Regional Crisis Center.
2021 was a difficult year for a lot of people, including our understaffed programs and the vulnerable youth they serve. But despite the many challenges community members faced this year, they gave generously to the Looking Glass Giving Tree program and allowed most of our programs to spoil the youth who so richly deserve the extra goodies this year. Looking Glass program staff is incredibly thankful to all this year’s Giving Tree supporting businesses, organizations and community members including Valley River Center and Active 20-30 Club, Oakway Center, patrons at Oregon Contemporary Theatre, Coldwell Banker of Eugene, Umpqua Bank in Springfield and Eugene branches and the Eugene Director’s Mortgage staff members. More than 400 youth requested gifts through programs this year and all of them had their wishes fulfilled and basic needs met!
The needs and wishes from youth this year varied from socks, pants and coats to skateboards, pots and pans and fun stuff like board games, toys and art materials.
Thank you notes are creatively scribbled on the white board at Pathways Girls residential treatment program, from the youth to program staff after receiving this year’s Giving Tree gifts.
As happens most years, Looking Glass fielded several calls from donors seeking to know more about the youth requesting items and additional ways they could help. One donor called after donating more than a dozen giving tree packages and asked if there were any others that still needed to be filled. He said it broke his heart and that of his wife when they saw the ornaments at the mall asking for basic needs for the holidays like socks and jeans and blankets.
Even in a year with so much turbulence and turmoil, the Lane County community members really stepped up and supported the youth of Looking Glass.
Additionally, for this year’s Giving Tuesday campaign, supporters helped programs with funds that enabled each program to hold a staff holiday meal gathering.
Looking Glass staff and youth and family clients are incredibly thankful!