West Seattle’s generosity has manifested yet again in the outpouring this week for flooded Nickelsville – and many other gestures of help, such as donations to food banks. Here’s another chance to give big, in small ways, this season: Chief Sealth International High School seniors Clint Hewitt and Conrad Hill are launching their senior project, a toy drive they’re calling “Holidays 4 Hope.” Above, they’re with the team at JC’s Deli, one of the dropoff spots they’ve already lined up, and they’re looking for more. Here’s their story:

Families continue struggling with the ongoing impact of a slow recovery from the great recession; we asked ourselves how we as high-school students might be able to help.

Knowing how young children look forward to the holidays, we decided to see if we could make a difference for some local families in the South Park Community area. Through local sponsors, we have purchased holiday donation bins that we have located throughout the West Seattle community. Our goal is to gather new toys, books, games and stuffed animals for ages 3-10 years old, to donate to the holiday party “Winter Fest” at South Park Community Center, who we are working with on this project. It is our intention that “Holidays 4 Hope” will continue and grow in future years.

Our greatest need at this time is making people aware of “Holidays 4 Hope”. Donation bins are located in local West Seattle businesses who are sharing the “Holidays 4 Hope” on their websites or e-mail notices to their customers. So far we have donation bins located in a few local businesses.

We have one located at The Original Bakery, owner Bernie Alonzo, who is a great supporter. Also, we have just placed a donation bin inside a new deli right on 35th ave across from the Southwest library called JC’s Deli, whose owner is Jeanette Cummings. I am hoping to have one more spot somewhere in West Seattle area to place a final donation bin that has already been sponsored. Since these businesses are helping me out, I hope they would get new and more customers from their great support. We are encouraged by the response so far, but realize that starting up this endeavor will require hard work and persistence.

So their request for you is twofold: 1. Donate toys at those dropoff spots; Original Bakery is at 45th and Wildwood in Fauntleroy’s Endolyne mini-business district; JC’s Deli is at 35th and Henderson, across from Southwest Library. Join Ms. Forsell‘s third-grade class from Shorewood Christian School, which has already done its part:

2. If you have a business that could host a dropoff bin, contact Conrad and Clint at crhill2013@gmail.com and c.hewitt206@gmail.com.