The spirit of Christmas is alive and well in West Seattle.

Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of YMCA and community members, this Christmas was a bit more merry for many here in our neighborhoods. Through our Giving Tree program at the West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA, more than 1000 gifts and gift cards were collected and given to 285 youth, teens, and adults from 75 low-income families.

For working families struggling to keep food on the table and a roof over the heads of their children, Christmas gifts are luxuries that can seem far out of reach. But because West Seattle people care so very much, these families could share in this special joy of the holidays.

We'd like to thank the many YMCA members, Charlestown Caf