The Plateau has a little over a week left to help share the holiday spirit with local kids and their families.
Every year, the Plateau Kids Network organizes a large toy drive for families experiencing financial insecurity — this year’s drive ends on Dec. 12.
Although it’s now known as the “Holiday Helping Hands” program, the tradition spans back to the 1970s when it was run by the Retired Teacher’s Union; Plateau Kids Network took over the drive in 2020 with the Enumclaw Fire Department.
The drive is a spectacular sight — after all the donations are collected and organized, past drives have filled up half of the Enumclaw Expo Center’s RestorX Activity Hall with dozens of tables of puzzles, stuffed animals, coloring books, and so, so much more.
Around 400 kids have been recipients of the toy drive in the past.
“We aren’t just giving a child a gift to open on Christmas morning, we’re giving them a Christmas story to have and share,” said Plateau Kids Network founder and President Maryn Otto. “It’s very gratifying to serve our community and share the magic of Christmas with our neighbors.”
For younger kids, the Plateau Kids Network recommends cozy blankets, art supplies, legos, sports gear and equipment, board games, and crafts for all ages.
However, the nonprofit wants to steer donors away from Hot Wheels cars, toy and remote-controlled vehicles, dolls and Barbies, nerf guns, and bicycles.
Donating for teens can be a little tougher; there are suggestions for Bluetooth gear like headphones and speakers, fitness equipment, drones, wallets, purses, winter clothes and name-brand hats and hoodies, and books.
Lists of gift ideas can be found at plateaukidsnetwork.com/holidayhelpinghands.
Donations can be dropped off at the Enumclaw Fire Department, Fugate Ford, Grocery Outlet, Work Sports & Outdoors — or can be given directly to Santa during the yearly Santa Run through Enumclaw neighborhoods.
SANTA RUN
Santa is once again teaming up with the Enumclaw Fire Department to hand out candy and collect toy and food donations for the Plateau Kids Network.
The jolly old elf will start his tour on Dec. 7, with his final run on Dec. 11.
On Dec. 7, Santa will be driving around the southern neighborhoods between Roosevelt Aneuve and Warner Avenue.
On Dec. 8, he’ll be in the western neighborhoods between 248th Street and Semanski Street — and the following day, Santa will be right next door to homes from Semanski Street to the highway.
Sleigh bells will be jingling on Kibler and Griffin Avenue on Dec. 10, and he’ll finally visit downtown homes near Cole Street and along Porter Avenue on Dec. 11.
You can track where Santa goes, or find a map and more route details, by visiting enumclawfire.org/santa-run.
VOLUNTEERING
If you want to volunteer with the Plateau Kids Network, head to plateaukidsnetwork.com/volunteer to register.
The nonprofit does more than just the annual toy drive, and volunteers can also help out with its several other programs like being a defense decision-instructor assistant, help staff the free helmet campaign, and find mentorship opportunities with local firefighters.
