Two women are arranging gift bags and items in black shopping bags inside an office or store space. There are various items, a purple cart, and shelves with photographs and decor in the background.

● Programs

Annual Holiday Drive

The holidays can be an especially difficult time for teens and young adults in foster care. P48’s Annual Holiday Drive exists to ensure youth feel remembered, supported, and cared for during a season that can otherwise feel isolating.

Claim a bag on Dreamlist, here.

● Program Overview

Delivering Joy

Each year, P48 partners with Child Welfare and community supporters to provide customized Holiday Bags for teens and young adults in foster care. These bags include essential items, personal care products, and meaningful extras selected to reflect each young person’s needs and preferences. Since its inception, the Holiday Drive has served more than 3,056 youth ages 13–21, reminding them that they are valued and supported by their community.

Important 2026 dates:

  • November - Bags and needed items are posted on Dreamlist; giving tree tags become available for pick-up or delivery

  • Fri 12/11 - corporate partners drop filled bags at P48

  • Sat 12/12 - community members (using Dreamlist) drop filled bags at P48

  • Mon 12/14 - remaining bag drops at P48 for both corporate partners and community members

    • Need volunteers these three days!

  • Tues 12/15 - Volunteers deliver bags to DHS branches

  • Weds 12/16 - Volunteers deliver bags to DHS branches

    • Need volunteers these two days!

Drop off location: Project 48 Office 2505 SE 11th Ave. Suite 122 | Parking instructions here

There several ways to make a difference this holiday season

Sponsor a Holiday Bag

Make the holidays personal! Through our Dreamlist, you can select a young person to sponsor and shop for a Holiday Bag customized to their interests, needs, and preferences.

How it works:

  1. Browse available youth on Dreamlist and reserve a Holiday Bag.

  2. Review the young person's preferences and our required shopping list.

  3. Purchase the items and gift cards for their bag (plan for approximately $200+).

  4. Bring everything to P48 during our December collection days. No wrapping necessary!

What Holiday Bags Include

Bring your workplace, business, school, or community group together to support local youth in foster care!

We can provide Giving Tree tags with three ways to participate:

  • Sponsor complete Holiday Bags: Individuals or teams shop for all the items requested for a young person.

  • Collect individual gifts: Participants purchase specific items, such as blankets, earbuds, or gift cards, that help us complete Holiday Bags.

  • Collect donations: Invite customers, employees, or community members to contribute financially toward the Holiday Drive.

Make a Donation

Don't have time to shop? You can still make a big difference.

Financial contributions help us purchase requested gifts, fill gaps in Holiday Bags, and ensure every young person receives a complete bag.

Every contribution helps us reach our goal of 600 Holiday Bags this year.

Volunteer

It takes a lot of hands to bring hundreds of Holiday Bags together!

Volunteers help us prepare our space, check incoming gifts, assemble and decorate bags, organize deliveries, and transport completed bags to Child Welfare offices.

Most volunteer opportunities take place in early and mid-December. Reach out to volunteer@p48nw.org.

  • Three women standing outside a building with large black gift bags filled with holiday items on the sidewalk in front of them. They are smiling and wearing ID badges, with a glass door behind them displaying hours of operation.
  • Two women in Christmas-themed shirts and hats smiling in front of a neon sign that reads 'Project 48' with a red background.
  • A smiling man holding a bag of snacks labeled 'Kylie' in a room decorated for Christmas, with a 'Project Forty Eight' backdrop and holiday decorations.
  • Three people standing in front of a decorated Christmas backdrop with a Christmas tree, gift boxes, and a banner from Project Forty Eight, holding bags of gifts and wearing holiday sweaters.
  • People gathered around a table packing bags, with shelves of supplies in the background, in what appears to be a community or volunteer event.
  • Young man holding a large black gift bag with a pink label that reads 'Happy Holidays', standing near a decorated Christmas tree and other gift bags in a room decorated for the holidays.
  • People standing inside a bike shop with several bicycles on display, including pink and red bikes in the foreground, and a table with accessories. There is a sign that reads 'project 48' on the wall.
  • A woman standing in front of a decorated Christmas display with Christmas presents, a decorated Christmas tree, and a woman smiling, holding a gift wrapped in red and green holiday wrapping paper, with penguin-themed boxes and Santa hats around her.

● Program Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Youth are referred through Child Welfare partners and community agencies.

  • Yes. Community members and corporate partners can support through donations, sponsorships, or volunteering.

  • Yes. Each bag is tailored to the individual youth whenever possible.

    • Cozy blanket

    • Hat and gloves

    • Wireless earbuds

    • Journal and art supplies

    • Favorite snacks and treats

    • Hygiene items (such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrush, and deodorant)

    • $25 gift card to their favorite restaurant

    • Special request item (up to $50) OR $50 gift card to their chosen store

  • Yes. Individual Dreamlist sponsors commit to purchasing every required item for their selected young person. Their preferences help guide the specific products you choose.

  • Plan for approximately $200 for a complete Holiday Bag. The final amount varies based on the items purchased.

  • No! Please bring items unwrapped. Our team checks every bag for completeness and then packages and decorates the gifts.

  • Absolutely. A cheerful, encouraging holiday card is welcome. Please leave the envelope unsealed so our team can review it. Please keep messaging non-religious.

  • Please do not include sharp objects (such as razors or scissors), religious items or messaging, or period products.

  • Email nikia@p48nw.org. Our team can help clarify preferences and may contact the young person's caseworker when necessary, although additional information isn't always available.