Donating to those in need this holiday season

As always, you can help out those less fortunate in a number of ways this holiday season. Here are a few:
The Phinney Neighborhood Center hosts its annual Giving Tree for kids in need. Pick up a tag with a child’s age and gift request, then return the wrapped present by Dec. 13.
The Greenwood Senior Center at 525 N. 85th St. will have a Giving Tree set up by the end of this week. It will have gift requests from the Dorothy Day House, a housing program for formerly homeless women.
Greenwood Hardware (a PhinneyWood sponsor) at 7201 Greenwood Ave. N. has its own Giving Tree just as you walk in the front door.
PlayMatters at 7720 is sponsoring visits by the Binky Fairy with a donation to Toys for Tots. The Binky Fairy flies into PlayMatters from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. Your child can put their binky in a special box, then choose a new big kid toy from a treasure box. After making your donation to Toys for Tots, your child can stay and play for half off the regular price.
National Drycleaners at 8757 Holman Road is teaming up with the Ballard Food Bank for their 2009 Holiday Food Drive. The shop is now collecting any shelf stable, non-perishable food items, as well as any hygiene items (shampoo, deodorant, etc.). Drop off donations in the National Drycleaners barrels during normal business hours: Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sun., 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
We’re sure there are numerous other businesses around the neighborhood with Giving Trees or other ways to help, so if we’ve missed something, please put a note in comments.