Give a Little Joy: Brighten the Holidays for South Student Families
The 2026 Giving Tree is back, and the giving period runs November 10 to December 4. Here's how a tag, a coat, or a bedtime story can carry a South student parent through finals week.
Picture this. It's 10 p.m. the week before finals. The kids are finally asleep. On the kitchen table sits a laptop, a stack of flashcards, and a grocery receipt that came in a little higher than expected. And somewhere between the study guide and tomorrow's work shift is a quiet question: How am I going to make the holiday season feel special this year?
For a lot of South Seattle College students, some version of that night is familiar. Our students are going after degrees and certificates while working, raising kids, and holding a whole household together. They're building better futures for their families one quarter at a time. And when the holiday season arrives right on top of finals, an already tight budget can stretch to its limit.
That's where you come in.
Meet the Giving Tree
In its second year, the Giving Tree invites our whole community to show up for student families. Neighbors, local businesses, community groups, alumni, faculty, and staff all pitch in so that kids get a little holiday magic, and their parents get one less thing to worry about.
The program supports children age 17 and younger in the care of students currently enrolled at South's West Seattle, Georgetown, and NewHolly campuses. Families stay anonymous to donors, and they pick up their gifts right on campus during finals week. So, the same week a student is sitting for their last exam, they can head home with something wonderful for their kids.
"We See You, and We've Got Your Back"
Sarah Macfarlane, HR Generalist at SSC, leads coordination of the Giving Tree. She's seen firsthand what this support means to students who are carrying more than a course load.
"Our students are building better futures for their families every day," Sarah said. "When someone picks a tag or sends a book or a coat, they're telling a student who has the additional responsibility of supporting a child or children, 'We see you, and we've got your back.' That support means the world during finals week."
A gift tag might look small. To a student parent, it can be the thing that lets them stay focused, finish strong, and still give their kids a holiday to remember.
Six Ways You Can Help
Whether you have five minutes or a free afternoon, there's a way to give that fits your life.
1. Adopt a gift tag. Stop by Human Resources on South's main campus and choose a tag from the tree. Buy the gift, attach the original tag, and return it new and unwrapped by December 4. (Fair warning: picking a tag is surprisingly fun.)
2. Shop the Amazon Wish List. Browse the Giving Tree Amazon Wish List and pick something out. It's the easiest way to give from anywhere, even your couch.
3. Give online. Make a gift through the South Seattle College Foundation to help fill any gaps on the tree, so no child gets left out.
4. Donate new toys or toiletries. Everyday essentials and a few fun surprises go a long way for a busy family.
5. Give a coat. Seattle winters are no joke. A warm coat helps a student family member stay cozy all season long.
6. Stock the Book Nook. New or gently used books help kids keep reading over winter break. Got a shelf of well-loved favorites your family has outgrown? This is their next chapter.
Where to Drop Off
Both drop-off spots are on South's main campus at 6000 16th Ave SW, Seattle:
- Human Resources, on the east side of the Robert Smith Building (RSB) courtyard. Look for the signs.
- Student Services Lobby in RSB, just across the courtyard.
Mark Your Calendar
- October 26- November 9: Students are invited to register their family for the Giving Tree.
- November 10: Public giving opens. Shop the wish list, give online, or pick up a gift tag.
- December 4: Deadline for all gifts and donations.
- Finals week: Student families pick up their gifts on campus.
Student Parents: This Is for You
If you're a current South student raising kids 17 or younger, we'd love to help make your holidays a little brighter. You can request support October 26 through November 9 here. Your information stays private, and there's no shame in asking. This program exists because our community wants to show up for you.
Be Part of Someone's Holiday Story
The kids who wake up to these gifts won't know your name. But their parents will know that a whole community was rooting for them, right when it mattered most.
That's the South way. We take care of each other.
So, grab a tag, click "add to cart," or dig that extra coat out of the closet. Every gift tells a student, "Keep going. We believe in you."
Ready to give? Find all the details here.
Questions? Email SouthGivingTree@seattlecolleges.edu.