27 Years of Compassion in Action

Who We Are

For 27 years, Compassion in Action of Clackamas County has been helping local families experience a brighter Christmas. Our program was built around a simple belief: when families in our own community are struggling, neighbors can come together to help. For nearly three decades, that belief has brought individuals, businesses, organizations, donors, and volunteers together to provide Christmas assistance to families throughout Clackamas County.

Compassion in Action is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing Christmas toys and holiday food assistance to qualifying local families. Our toy program serves children from newborn through age 13. Families apply for assistance, tell us about the children in their household and their interests, and let us know whether they also need food assistance. This helps us provide support that is thoughtful, organized, and appropriate for each household.

Although Compassion in Action has evolved over the years—including updating our name, website, and the way families apply—this is not a new program. We are carrying forward a community Christmas assistance program with a 27-year history in Clackamas County. The systems may look different today, but the purpose remains the same: helping local children experience the joy of Christmas and helping parents and caregivers through a season that can be financially overwhelming.

The need for this program remains significant. Last year, approximately 1,200 children were served, and more than 1,000 applications for assistance were received. Each application represents a real household in our community reaching out for help. As we continue into our 27th year, our goal is not simply to maintain the program, but to strengthen it so that we can continue meeting the needs of Clackamas County families for years to come.

Our Mission

Our mission is to bring hope, dignity, and Christmas joy to children and families experiencing financial hardship in Clackamas County. We do this by providing Christmas toys for children from newborn through age 13 and holiday food assistance for their households.

We want families who come to Compassion in Action to feel respected and supported. Asking for help can be difficult. Our goal is to make the process as welcoming and dignified as possible while responsibly using the resources entrusted to us by our community.

Our Approach

Our work begins with families. Through our online Christmas Assistance Program, households can apply for toy assistance, food assistance, or both. Parents and caregivers provide information about their children—including ages, interests, favorite things, and gift ideas—so that donated resources can be matched as thoughtfully as possible to the children we serve.

From there, Compassion in Action brings together community support. Donations from individuals, businesses, organizations, toy and food drives, and other community partners help us prepare assistance for approved families. Our program is designed to turn community generosity into direct, practical Christmas assistance for local households.

Our Community

Compassion in Action belongs to the community it serves. Clackamas County is our home, and our work has continued for 27 years because people throughout the community have continued to step forward when their neighbors need help.

There are many ways people can be part of this effort. Businesses and organizations can make monetary or in-kind donations, host toy or food collections, display information about the program, or help spread the word. Individuals can donate, volunteer, organize collections, or simply share our mission with others. Every contribution—large or small—becomes part of a much larger community effort.

Our Impact

The size of the program demonstrates just how important community participation is. Approximately 1,200 children received assistance last year, and the program received more than 1,000 applications. Those numbers represent children, parents, grandparents, guardians, and households throughout Clackamas County.

Our impact is about more than the number of toys or food packages distributed. It is about helping relieve some of the pressure families experience during the holidays, giving children something to look forward to on Christmas morning, and reminding families that people in their community care about them.

What We Provide

Our Christmas Toy Assistance Program serves children from newborn through age 13. Families can tell us about each child's interests, favorite things, toy wishes, and gift ideas. These requests help guide our efforts, although specific toys, brands, or requested items cannot be guaranteed.

Our Holiday Food Assistance Program helps participating households with food during the Christmas season. Together, the toy and food programs allow us to support not only individual children but the family as a whole.

Looking Forward

After 27 years, Compassion in Action continues because the need continues—and because Clackamas County continues to care.

As we move forward, we want to strengthen relationships with local businesses, community organizations, donors, and volunteers while making it easier for families to find and understand the assistance available to them. Our goal is to build on nearly three decades of service and ensure Compassion in Action can continue helping local families for many Christmases to come.

Giving Hope • Sharing Love • Making a Difference