Holiday giving drive a big success

The results are in on the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District’s annual holiday giving drive, and they are meaningful.

* The number of gifts collected from patrons and THPRD staff surpassed 600 – more than double the previous year.

* Those gifts created a brighter holiday for 24 Beaverton-area families (11 more than the previous year) and 149 individuals.

* In addition, more than 1,000 pounds of linens, towels and personal hygiene products were donated to the Union Gospel Mission’s LifeChange for Women and Their Children program in Beaverton – at least triple the amount of last year. In fact, the volume exceeded the program’s capacity so the surplus was donated to Beaverton High School and Merlo Station High School.

For this year’s giving drive, emphasis was placed on serving the most vulnerable and least privileged members of our community.

This included 12 families and unaccompanied youth who meet the federal government’s definition of homeless: “lacking a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.”

“I see the gift drive as a way to reach out and connect THPRD to some of the most vulnerable families in our community,” said Jose Esparza, community engagement specialist, who led the effort. “We want to make them feel welcome, even before they step into a THPRD center.”

Esparza thanked Beaverton School District staff for their help in identifying families in need. But the real heroes, he said, were those who donated.

“The gift drive requires a lot of work but it’s very rewarding work,” he said. “We saw a few happy tears from moms on delivery day. Thank you all for your support.”

About THPRD
Formed in 1955, THPRD is the largest special park district in Oregon, spanning 50 square miles and serving about 240,000 residents in the greater Beaverton area. The district provides year-round recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Offerings include thousands of widely diverse classes, 95 park sites with active recreational amenities, nearly 70 miles of trails, eight swim centers, six recreation centers, and about 1,500 acres of natural areas. For more information, visit www.thprd.org or call 503-645-6433.