In addition to providing their usual services to families, many of our PREPARES ministries went above and beyond during the holiday season to make the season bright. We are grateful to the volunteers who made it happen, and we give thanks for the grace of God that made it possible!

PREPARES and Catholic Community Services of Western Washington had the joy of being included in the Giving Machines sponsored by the Church of Latter-Day Saints during this holiday season. The LDS church covers all operating costs, so 100% of funds donated are given to the participating charities. These donation "vending" machines started in 2017 with one machine in Salt Lake City and raised half a million dollars in that first year. The machines are now available on 5 continents and last holiday season raised $32 million!

We were grateful for the chance to be featured in both machines at Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood and South Hill Mall in Puyallup. PREPARES is especially grateful to the groups that sent volunteers to promote the machines on our assigned days: Holy Family Church (Kirkland), St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Bothell), St. Stephen the Martyr (Renton), Our Lady of Hope (Everett), and the Washington State Catholic Conference.

Stay tuned for an update in the spring when CCS is awarded the donations that were made by all the generous members of our community.

You will soon see materials online and in church pews for PREPARES' annual fundraising campaign, which will take place in parishes in Western Washington over the weekend of February 8-9. We are excited that many of our volunteers are helping to spread the word about this important appeal from the Bishops of Washington. Thank you in advance for your generous support of PREPARES, whether in time, talent, or treasure. We are also excited to share that this year we will be able to return a portion of this year's funds back to the parishes with an active PREPARES ministry!