Sometimes we don't realize the impact we can have in the mundane duties of our daily life. I'm sure that's how Janice Schauer felt when she was driving a school bus for Chimacum School District. Back in 1973, she had no idea the changes she would make for generations to come because of one encounter with some children while she was the driver on their route.
In 1973, after returning from Christmas break, Janice was greeting the kids on her route and asking them the age-old question, 'What did Santa bring you?' Much to her surprise, Santa had missed these children in his travels and these children confided in Janice that they had received nothing for Christmas despite being good all year. Heartbroken, Janice vowed to fix this the following year. The following Christmas, Janice took it upon herself to buy socks and small presents for the children on her bus route that she knew were in need. From that one act of kindness came the birth of the Tri-Area Christmas4Children program. With each passing year, the program has grown with the number of families it serves. Janice's daughter, Laurie Schauer Liske and her husband, Tony, became the next generation to join the ranks of providing Christmas joy to needy children. They were soon joined by their son, Tony and his wife, Kelly Liske. Three generations of Schauers/Liskes are now involved with the daily operations for Christmas4Children. It won't be long, and the next generation will be old enough to take the reins.
In 2013, a similar charitable program in Port Townsend folded with no one willing to step forward to continue the program. The Tri-Area Christmas4Children organization was asked to take on those Port Townsend families. In doing so, the program tripled in size. The program now serves families in Port Hadlock, Port Ludlow, Nordland, Chimacum, and Port Townsend.
Christmas4Children is supported by generous contributions received from community organizations like Rotary and Kiwanis, together with financial support from local businesses and individuals who believe in the Christmas Spirit, such as the SKP Park on Anderson Lake. Christmas4Children has developed strong partnerships with the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, wherein we have access to the toys they collect and then distribute toys on their behalf. The organization also works in tandem with the local food banks and DSHS to see that folks are notified of the application availability and deadlines. Local businesses help spread the word when applications are available and when they are due back.
The Schauers and Liskes have a small army of volunteers who work tirelessly throughout the year to make sure the needs and wants are met at Christmas time for the families they serve.
By October 1 of each year, applicants who are seeking gifts for their children fill out an application, which is then submitted to program volunteers to generate tree tags for the 'wants' and 'needs' for each child. The deadline for applications is November 15. Those tree tags are then distributed throughout Jefferson County to approximately 35 Tree Hosts to be placed on Giving Trees. The local businesses that accept the tags see that their customers or employees take the tags and then purchase the requested items. The purchased gifts are returned to the Tree Host site by a set date to be picked up by Christmas4Children volunteers.
There are often gift tags that are left over from the Giving Trees that the Christmas4Children organization must try to fill. This is where critical cash donations received throughout the year come into play. Those donations allow the organization to make good on those gift promises to each child they serve.
Shopping day for families who have applied to the program is Dec. 17 at the county fairgrounds. Applicants must show a proof of address to receive their donations. Walk-ins are welcome that day and are encouraged to download the application online and bring it with them with proof of address to shop for their children. Gift donations are available for children aged 0-16, with functional age being considered.
This year there are more needs than ever with over 39 giving trees locally. Please stop by one today and help support this amazing program for the local children of the Tri-Area and Port Townsend.
To find out more about this amazing organization or to make a donation, please go to https://www.christmas4children.com/.
