Mary’s Place, a shelter that caters to women and families, held a massive holiday party for homeless individuals and families on Dec. 19 to make sure that everyone, regardless of income, can enjoy holiday cheer. More than 1,700 people attended the event.
The organization has been planning the event for months, harnessing the power of hundreds of volunteers for a day of caroling, gift wrapping and food. More than 145 companies, organizations and congregations contributed 6,300 gifts for children to select for their loved ones at the “Santa Store.”
The shelter has done a Christmas dinner event for years, but when the number of people experiencing homelessness began to skyrocket, they moved the event to the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall.