People in Need

Single parent families. Grandparents raising grandchildren. Mothers laid off. Fathers looking for work. No money. No food. Many are hungry. Thousands of Clark County residents are barely able to afford the bare necessities, let alone gifts for their children during the holidays. Can you help a needy family celebrate the spirit of the holiday season?

The Columbian’s late owner and publisher, Don Campbell, launched the People In Need Program in 1979. He felt The Columbian, with its broad readership and spirit of community outreach, should be a positive force in helping the less fortunate in Clark County. Today, third and fourth generation Campbell family owners believe in the same founding principles of the program. Donations to The Columbian’s People In Need Fund are distributed to the local non-profits serving the urgent needs of children and families throughout Clark County, including The Salvation Army’s Adopt A Family program during the holidays.

You can make a difference in our community several ways:

  1. Through December 8, by contacting The Salvation Army (call (360) 448-2880 or email kathleen.pisors@usw.salvationarmy.org).
  2. Send your tax-deductible donation to:
    The Columbian People In Need Fund
    c/o The Community Foundation for Southwest Washington
    610 Esther Street, Suite 201
    Vancouver, WA, 98660
    Proceeds from your donation benefit at-risk children and families.
  3. Drop off your donation of toys for children or food for gift baskets for families at:
    Salvation Army
    11018 NE 14th Street
    Vancouver, WA 98684

All proceeds from your donation will benefit children and families in need throughout Clark County. You will receive a receipt from Community Foundation for your contribution.

This year’s families:

  1. This family has a single mother who has been having a difficult time, with four children in the home, three girls ages 14, 11, and 2 and one boy 18 months. Mom is hoping to be able to provide a few gifts for Christmas for them. This family could use clothing and necessities as well as a few toys for the children.
  2. The family is struggling to create a Christmas environment for their two children, a girl aged 11, and a boy aged 8. The girl would like headphones and arts and craft supplies, while the boy is hoping for Legos and action figures. Neither parent is proficient in English and basic housewares and necessities would be appreciated.
  3. With 5-year-old and 11-year-old daughters in the home, mom and dad are struggling due to several financial challenges this year, on their limited income. The 11-year-old wishes for some books and craft supplies, the five-year-old would like some stuffed animals and arts and craft supplies as well. Mom and dad only ask for clothing for the girls, and household toiletries and supplies.
  4. Mom is a single mother, of 17-year-old and 7-year-old daughters. There aren’t financial resources to celebrate Christmas for the children at all, without the assistance of others. The younger girl is hoping for some girl bedroom accessories and Shopkins. The older girl would like earphones and the Spiderverse Movie DVD. Mom really needs some help with clothing for the younger girl and basic kitchen and bathroom necessities. They all read and do arts and crafts together.
  5. This family of four are Ukrainian refugees, who only recently arrived in Clark County. The husband and wife have a household of four people, with two boys aged seven and five. Having come here with almost nothing, they could use help with clothing and basic necessities. The boys would love playdoh, construction sets, and cars.
  6. This single mother, having just relocated from a warmer climate with her 9-year-old son, they are looking for winter clothing. The 9-year-old is hoping for some Legos and educational toys.
  7. Challenged with housing and food insecurities, this husband and wife have 3 children, 2-year-old and 12-month-old boys and a 9-year-old girl. The 9-year-old girl is hoping for some headphones and clothing. The 2-year-old boy is hoping for a remote-controlled car. Mom is hoping to be able to get the 12-month-old some educational toys. With both parents struggling with English as a second language their employment options have been limited, and any help would be much appreciated.
  8. Dad and Mom say, “this family of 6 older children in the home is financially strapped this year for Christmas and hopes for support in getting his children something for the holidays”. This family is looking for some community to help to aid with basic necessities and clothing for their 4 children, an 18-year-old boy, a 16-year-old daughter, a 14-year-old son and an 11-year-old son.
  9. This single mother is hoping for assistance from the community for Christmas this year. She has 3 boys, ages 13, 7, and 4 and a daughter aged 15, and they need basic clothing items as well as gifts, such as action figures, headphones, and Legos. Mom works full time, but money is very tight due to the escalating rent and other costs.
  10. This single mom with a full-time job finds herself quite challenged this holiday season. She has two sons ages 9 and 7 who are both developmentally challenged and require extra care. Mom is hoping for basic household necessities and the two boys wish for Legos, remote control car, and board games.
  11. This struggling family with 3 children and a single mom needs your help this Christmas. Mom has had a variety of financial challenges this year and needs things as basic as beds for her children. There are 3 boys aged 12, 9, 8 and the number one wish for each of them is a bicycle, and they would also like Legos as well.
  12. This small family includes a single mom, her 5-year-old boy, and their beloved dog. Mom has had serious surgery this year and could use help getting back on her feet this Christmas. She only asks for household necessities, while her son is hoping for Hot Wheels and dinosaurs.
  13. Here’s a 4-person family that could use your support during the holidays. Mom and dad both works full-time but are challenged to keep up with rising rent and utilities. Their children, a 9-year-old boy and 7- year-old girl are hoping for Legos and arts and craft supplies, while mom and dad just need clothing and basic toiletries.
  14. This single mother has 5 children has 4 boys ages 2, 4, 9, 13 and one girl aged 15. With a full house, she’s struggling to provide much for Christmas this year for her children. The children hope for Legos, headphones, and clothing. Mom could use housewares, from towels to frying pans.
  15. This is another small family who is hoping for community support this Christmas. Mom lives alone with two daughters ages 16 and 10, and they wish for plush toys and clothing for Christmas. Mom could use household necessities including blankets and cleaning supplies.
  16. This single mother has 5 children, including 4 boys aged 17, 15, 13, 8 and a 6-year-old daughter. The girl wishes for some dress up clothing toys while the boys are hoping for gifts such as Legos, Nerf guns, and headphones. They’ve had a difficult 2023 financially and are thankful for your consideration.
  17. This small family consists of a single mom and a daughter, 8-years-old. She is wishing for a Lego set or a doll this Christmas. They’re struggling to make ends meet this year, and any help for the holidays would make a big difference.
  18. Dad and Mom have two children in this household, a baby boy and a 7-year-old daughter. Both parents are working, but trying to get enough hours to cover the bills has been difficult. Their daughter is hoping for a Barbie doll, and her parents need baby supplies and toiletries.
  19. A single mom with two sons is challenged financially to make Christmas special this year. Ages 8 and 2, the boys are hoping for children’s books, building blocks, and toy cars with remote control for the older one. Mom would like cooking supplies, as money is very tight.
  20. There are two children in this household, with a single mom who is trying to navigate the job market. Her daughter, age 8, is hoping for puzzles for Christmas, while her 16-year-old son needs clothing. Mom needs basic household necessities, from toiletries to a frying pan.
  21. This Ukrainian family has a father who is working two jobs trying to provide, while mom is taking care of their four children. They have 3 daughters, ages 4 to 12, and they’re hoping for headphones, board games, and preschool toys, while their teenage son would like earbuds and winter clothes. Mom and dad could use cooking utensils, and a tool set would be helpful as well.
  22. This is a single mom with two sons, ages 2 and just 4 months old, and they’d be very thankful for your help this Christmas. Dinosaur toys and interactive baby toys would make the boys very happy, and their household could really use a knife set and a microwave.
  23. There are three people in this small household, as the single mom is working hard to care for her two sons, a toddler and a baby. Any toddler and baby toys would be appreciated, from rattles to toy trucks. Mom needs household items, including sheets for their beds, towels, and blankets.
  24. Mom is raising two sons and a daughter alone in this family, ages 9, 11, and 15. In addition to clothing, the boys are hoping for remote controlled car and anything related to Minecraft, while their daughter loves cottage-core items. Mom needs new shoes and boots for the winter weather.
  25. This single mother has three children, sons aged 8 and 5, a daughter aged 10, as well as her young adult son living in the household as well, who is helping. The boys are wishing for remote control cars, and a Lego set, while her daughter would like art and craft supplies and a book. Mom could use clothes, as well as basic toiletries and household supplies.
  26. This family has mom and dad, 2 daughters aged 7 and 9, and a son aged 6. In addition, their extended family had a tragic loss, and now have custody of an older teen, their nephew who is disabled, who had nowhere else to go. They are in need of winter clothing, blankets, and household supplies, while the children are hoping for headphones, Lego sets, and art supplies.
  27. A single mother with two children, a son aged 4 and a daughter aged 6, this family is struggling after an accident that resulted in medical expenses, as well as the loss of the family car. The children have special needs, and mom is hoping for any clothes and educational toys for them, while she needs cleaning and laundry supplies for the household.
  28. In this household, a single mom is raising two sons, ages 7 and 4, and her 10-year-old daughter. They’ve had difficulty with rent and housing, and are hoping for support this Christmas time. The children are hoping for action figures, toy cars, and craft supplies, while mom would really appreciate clothing and household supplies.
  29. This single mother has one son, 5-years-old. He wishes for headphones, puzzles, and age-appropriate books, and she would appreciate warm winter clothing for both of them. While working full-time, she struggles with daycare and rent costs, and would be very thankful for any help.
  30. This family consists of a grandfather who has his three grandsons living in his care, ages 10, 2, and 1-year-old. They are refugees who have recently had to move to this area, and have almost nothing, as he attempts to rebuild their lives together. The boys would appreciate any toy trucks and cars, as well as stuffed animals and puzzles, while their grandpa needs everything for the household, from cookware to blankets to warm shoes.
  31. With 7 children plus mom and dad, this foster family household is having difficulty making ends meet through a tough year. They have 5 girls, ages 8 to 15, and 2 boys, ages 10 and 12. They’ve become long-term foster parents to 4 of these children, after alternative housing situations didn’t work out. The children are hoping for sports equipment, dolls, headphones, and a bicycle, while their parents could use all forms of household supplies and clothing, from dishes to winter coats.
  32. This household is led by a grandmother, who has custody of her three young grandchildren, boys aged 1 and 2, and a 3-year-old girl. The boys would like light-up games and toys that make sounds, while the girl hopes for a doll and play-kitchen times. Their grandma would appreciate cleaning and laundry supplies, as
  33. This two-parent household with 2 small children are having difficulty this holiday season. They have a 4 year old son, and a 2 year old girl, and they’re hoping for construction toys and a princess costume. They have almost no household supplies, so blankets, cleanings supplies, and toiletries would all be a blessing.
  34. As a single parent, this mom has a ten year old son and a five year old girl. Her daughter loves to draw, and is wishing for drawing supplies, while her son would love a remote control car. They appreciate any help this Christmas.
  35. This family has twins aged 14, a boy and a girl, with a single mother. The son would like a desk for his room for homework and studying, while the girl would like any bath accessories and soaps. Their mother needs warm winter clothes, as she hasn’t been able to get anything for herself.
  36. This household has a single mom with three children. They have an 11 year old girl, and twin boys, aged four. Childcare and rent have been very difficult this year, and any toys would be appreciated to make Christmas special, as well as household supplies and clothes for mom.
  37. This family has recently immigrated from the violence in Ukraine, and they’re here in Clark County with dad, mom, and five children. With 3 daughters and 2 sons, several of them teenagers, they’re all in need of clothing, school supplies, and basic cleaning and toiletries of all kinds.
  38. Dad and mom have 3 children, two girls ages 9 and 4, and a 7 year old son. The younger daughter is hoping for a play kitchen set, and the older children would like arts and crafts supplies, and books and educational toys.
  39. This is a single mom who has two boys, ages 8 and 7. They’re hoping for a remote control car, and a Lego set, while mom could use laundry detergent and blankets, and perhaps some candles. Mom says “It has been a “tough year” of trying to figure out how to do things on my own this year.”
  40. With a 16 year old daughter and an 11 year old son, this single mother is in need of support this holiday season. The family needs clothes, both for school and for colder winter weather, and they need many basic toiletries as well – any support would be very much appreciated.
  41. This recent immigrant family is challenged in building a new life here in Clark County, with their 6 children, ranging from 4 years old to 19, three boys and three girls. They need all the basics of a household, in addition to clothes and school supplies for their children, as they work to rebuild their family in a new country.
  42. As recent refugees from Ukraine, this mother and father have three children. They’re all boys, ages 14, 10, and 7, and they’re hoping for remote control car toys, winter coats, and school supplies. Any household supplies would also be very helpful for this family.
  43. This single mother has three girls, ages 7, 5, and 3, and one boy, aged 2. The little boy would like building or construction toys, and the girls would like dolls, play kitchen toys, and arts/crafts supplies. The family also needs pots and pans, and cleaning supplies would be helpful as well.
  44. In this household, mom and dad have three children, two girls aged 9 years and 7 months, and one two year old boy. Infant toys, art supplies, and toy kitchens would be appreciated for the children. The family could use blankets and sheets, as they try to provide warmth for their children in a difficult housing situation.
  45. A single mother of three children, mom has 2 daughters aged 6 and 8, and a 17 year old son. The girls are hoping for Barbie dolls and any dress-up costumes as princesses, and mom and the son both need clothes, including warm winter clothing, as they’re often unhoused this winter.
  46. With twelve year old twin girls, this single mother is struggling to provide what she’d like to for her girls. The girls would like school supplies, winter clothes, arts and crafts, Legos, and mom is very thankful for your help.
  47. This single father is a refugee from Micronesia with two daughters, ages 10 and 7. The girls are hoping for Barbie dolls and dress-up items, and dad could use any clothing for his daughters, and school supplies as well, as they try to build a life once again in Clark County.
  48. This single mother has custody of her teenage niece and nephew, and also has 4 children, three sons aged 11, 7, and 6, and one daughter, aged 10. As she’s working hard to support 6 children, any gifts would be much appreciated. The family needs clothing of all types, especially for school, and mom would really like a coat for the winter.
  49. Dad and mom are recent refugees, working to rebuild their lives in Clark County. They have 3 small children, with 2 year old twins, and a 4 year old daughter as well. Warm winter clothing is a major need, as well as pots and pans, blankets, and cleaning supplies for their house.
  50. This two-parent household has four children, three daughters aged 12, 11, and 9, and a boy who is under 2 years old. They’ve struggled to make ends meet this year despite several jobs, and are in need of household supplies and toiletries, in addition to the dolls and clothes hoped for by the daughters, and the toddler educational toys they’d like for their son.
  51. In this family, a single mother has three children, a son and daughter ages 11 and 10, and a 20-month old son, who loves dinosaurs. The oldest loves to paint and draw, their son would like any Lego games, and the family all needs clothing for school and the colder weather.
  52. With two children ages 7 and 4, mom and dad are challenged financially this Christmas to do anything for their son and daughter. The children would like a scooter, bike, educational toys, and a doll, while the parents need household supplies, including toiletries and laundry detergent.
  53. This family has two parents, along with two boys ages 4 and 2, and a 6 year old girl. She is hoping for arts and crafts supplies, while the older son is hoping for anything related to Spiderman, and the younger boy likes Coco melon toys. They are very thankful for any help during the holidays.
  54. Along with mom and dad, this family has a 7 year old daughter, and a 4 year old son. Rent and transportation has been difficult recently, and they’d appreciate your help. This family is all hearing-impaired, and creates many challenges for them – winter clothing, toiletries, and household supplies are all greatly needed.
  55. This recent refugee family has escaped the violence in Ukraine, and are now living in Clark County. With two parents, they have five children, four sons ages 10, 8, 6, and 3, and one 12 year old daughter. The boys would like soccer equipment, toy remote control cars, and Legos, and the girl would like any clothes or room decorations.
  56. This single mother and her five children are currently unhoused, and are in great need of toiletries, winter clothing, and warm blankets. There are three girls between the ages 8-12, and two boys ages 11 and 3. They will be incredible thankful for anything you can do to help them in this very difficult situation.
  57. This household consists of a single mother who is struggling to support her three child, two girls aged 12 and 4, and a new baby boy. There have been several significant health challenges this year, which have made Christmas difficult. The children would like any age-appropriate toys, and the whole family needs clothing and toiletries.
  58. With two children, this single mother is balancing a full-time job with caring for her son aged 6, and her daughter aged 4. The boy loves to read, and hopes for books for Christmas, and the girl would like anything princess-related. Mom needs any cleaning supplies and laundry detergent.
  59. There are four children in this family, with four sons between 7 and 11 years old, and a 6 year old daughter. With a single mother, it’s been difficult to keep up with clothing needs for the children, and they all need clothes, as well as any age-appropriate toys, especially outdoor toys.
  60. This single mom recently immigrated to Clark County as a refugee, and is working to rebuild their lives together with her three daughters, ages 11, 9, and 6. They need all the basics, from food and toiletries to winter clothing and blankets for their household.
  61. This two-parent household is managing two jobs, along with caring for their three children, two boys ages 15 and 11, and an 8 year old daughter. The children would like headphones, games, a doll, and sports equipment, and mom and dad really need work clothes and laundry detergent, among other household needs.
  62. In this family, dad and mom have two sons, 8 and 12 years old. They’ve struggled financially this year, and would be thankful for any help. They’re in need of winter clothing, and the boys are hoping for books, games, and remote control car toys this Christmas.