The Seward-ish Giving Tree traveled Seward County the week of Oct. 10 offering free Halloween costumes.
Cati Havens, president of the Giving Tree, and Sue Stutzman listed a schedule of locations on the organization’s Facebook page to allow for members of the community to come and select from the 46 costumes available from donations.
“We spent an hour in each location. We went to Beaver Crossing, Cordova, Utica, Tamora, Seward and Goehner,” said Havens. “Tamora was too dusty with the wind so we made a change to our schedule and came to Seward instead.”
The organization also visited Milford on Oct. 13.
Seward-ish Giving Tree’s Facebook group explains their intent is to show that humanity exists and to make a difference in other people’s lives by donating items no longer needed in a home. The group has an executive board and strives to become a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
“We have seen a tremendous amount of growth. At this time last year our Facebook group had 88 members. Today we have 815,” Havens said. “We accept all kinds of donations in our ministry: food, clothing, toys and giftable items.”
A giftable item is something in excellent condition, new or used, that would be a good present.
“It can be a candle, an air fryer; really anything that is clean and in good shape that makes for a kind gift,” Havens said.
The organization does not have an official storage space at this time to drop off donations.
To make a donation, a member of the executive board will coordinate a time to meet by reaching them on their Facebook page.
Seward-ish Giving Tree also sponsors families for Christmas by referrals. Last year they provided gifts for 27 families. When the organization started two years ago, seven were served.
“Our mission is to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our local communities,” Havens said. “We desire to be a hand-up, not just a hand-out, while utilizing local resources, encouraging independence and instilling the joy of paying it forward.”
