Spread cheer this Christmas!
Giving Tree 2024 has concluded. Thank you to everyone who helped make this year a success! We are always accepting donations to support the continuation of this program, just click below if you’d like to make a contribution today.
Without generous donors like you, many individuals in our community would not have gifts to open this Christmas. The holidays can be a particularly isolating time for our most vulnerable populations. In the best of times, youth and adults with developmental disabilities in supported living and group homes do not always have loved ones or friends to help share the spirit of the holiday season. Often, they have needs and wants that go unfilled.
Give a gift, sponsor a home and spread holiday cheer!
With the help and support of the community, Northwest Autism Center provided nearly 2,000 gifts in the past five seasons, spreading warmth and caring of everyone that participated.
How it works
Northwest Autism Center works with local agencies contracted with the Developmental Disabilities Administration to identify the wishes and needs of those in supported living and group homes within our community. We’ve listed those wish lists here and invite you to don your elf hat and assist us in ensuring that every individual identified this season receives a gift.
Frequently asked questions
When is this happening?
We will be collecting gifts throughout the holiday season. To accommodate the winter break schedule and allow our staff time to shop for the families ahead of the holidays, all donations and gift cards need to be delivered to our offices by Friday, December 6th.
Where do I send my gift or donation?
If you would like to mail your gift, please address it to:
Northwest Autism Center Schade Tower, 528 E Spokane Falls Blvd # 14, Spokane, WA 99202.
You can also drop off your gift during regular business hours, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thank you for your gracious support this holiday season!
Do I have to purchase gifts directly from the WishList?
No. Our WishList is a guide, containing all the gift requests we received. We want to make it easy for you so we provided the option to buy the gift directly from the retailer via the WishList. However you may also choose to go do your own shopping to find like items and fulfill the gift requests listed. We do ask that in the WishList portal you mark which items you plan to buy though so we know what gifts to expect.
What is Adopt a Home?
Any given year we partner with dozens of residential group homes throughout the Spokane region to identify individuals who are in need of a Christmas gift. We invite members of the community to “adopt” one of these homes (usually consisting of 2-10 individuals) and purchase a list of gifts for them based on their Christmas wish lists.
Where do I find the list of gifts?
We have an extensive list of gifts that have been requested by individuals living in residential group homes. From the WishList you’ll have the opportunity to shop and purchase individual items, send them our way and we will get them delivered.
What if I make a financial donation?
Not ready to adopt an entire house? Or maybe you just want to make a one-time donation to cover the cost of items on our gift list? Make a contribution simply by clicking here. These donations will be used to purchase any outstanding gifts that remain on the WishList once we hit our deadline. Any remaining donations will be used for Next year’s Giving Tree.
Can I learn more about who I am buying gifts for?
While we understand the interest in learning more about those receiving gifts through the Giving Tree, we are committed to protecting the privacy and well-being of these individuals. In accordance with HIPPA , we protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge. At this time, we have not been given permission by every resident on our WishList or the residential group homes to release full names, photos or other identifiable information other than what is listed on this site.
Get involved
Make a financial donation
Throughout the year we continue to collect donations to support the ongoing efforts of the Giving Tree. Your contribution will be used to purchase gifts for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities during the Christmas holiday season.
Testimonials
Thanks to the Giving Tree and all the kind donations the magic of Christmas is alive and real for our clients! It really warms their hearts that a stranger would care to give to them so kindly, it teaches them there are good people in our community that care for others. We are so grateful for the amazing gifts our clients receive from the selfless people that donate to the Giving Tree! Thank you for keeping the magic of Christmas alive!
Director of Residential Services
Creative Living Services
Being involved with Giving Tree is the right thing to do. I love having the opportunity to get involved in the lives of those who are in need, especially those with autism and other disabilities. Our church wants to show the love of Jesus to everyone, so we jumped at the chance to do just that with Giving Tree. It was a wonderful experience, incredibly touching and important to be part of.
Lynn
We are humbled by the support and generosity that you have shown to the individuals we support to live successfully in the community. We are happy to say that every person enjoyed and appreciated every gift they received for the holidays. Thank you for providing a gift for those who might otherwise have not had anything to unwrap this holiday season. A big thank you to your team and everyone else who helped make this happen.
Contact
Northwest Autism Center is proud to present this year’s Giving Tree. We are a federally approved nonprofit 501c(3) organization established in 2003 and exist to build, facilitate, and coordinate comprehensive services for those with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities through the lifespan, using community based approaches. Northwest Autism Center is deeply committed to advocacy efforts improving policy development; participating in local, state, and federal committees relevant to the cause of improving services and resources. Visit our website here
Address: 528 E Spokane Falls Blvd Suite 14 Spokane, WA
Phone: 509-328-1582
E-mail: info@holidaygivingtree.org
Address
528 E Spokane Falls Blvd Suite 14 Spokane, WA 99202
Call Us
(509) 328-1582 Mon - Thu, 8:00-4:30, Fri 9:30-2:30
Email Us
info@nwautism.org