Not just at Thanksgiving, but each day

Susie Ormbrek’s eyes lit up when the car drove into the Sign Up, Sign Co. parking lot last Wednesday afternoon.

“Here comes a donation now,” she said as Muriel Wolff of Bothell exited her car and handed off a big bag of blankets.

Once a month over the last year, folks from the Seattle Union Gospel Mission swing their van or large box truck into that same Bothell lot to pick up copious bags and boxes of shoes, clothing and more that locals have donated at the Sign Up drop-off site.

A sign on their red van in front points the way for giving.

“It’s just been amazing,” said Susie. “The outpouring of people has been so tremendous”

Added co-owner Larry Ormbrek: “All from one banner that we have out there.

“One (local school) class brought in 160 pairs of shoes. One lady brought in her SUV, and it was full except where she was sitting.”

Sign Up is located at 19211 Bothell Way N.E.

Here’s what other locals are doing on the giving front:

• Food for the car, food for the needy.

Bothell Automotive started a Thanksgiving food drive at 9 a.m. Nov. 19 with a Craigslist ad that read: “Bothell Automotive is offering free oil and filter changes (most cars, up to four quarts) in exchange for nonperishable food donations of five cans or more, to be donated to a local food bank.”

“The response was such that I had to remove the ad after only four hours or so. We are booked for free oil changes through (Nov. 25),” said Michelle Sweet.

As of Nov. 20, they had six oil changes (valued at $30 each) and received 15 pounds of canned and boxed food and some dry goods.

• Each year, Northshore YMCA members, local businesses and community partners work together to provide Thanksgiving baskets for single-parent families who find it hard to afford the expenses of the seasons. To sponsor a family, contact Mychal-Lynne Pfiester at (425) 485-9797 or mpfiester@seattleymca.org.

• Deborah Fullerton’s Moorlands Elementary sixth-grade class traveled to Northwest Harvest Nov. 14 and bagged 1,500 pounds of coffee and 800 pounds of rice for needy families across the state.

Moorlands’ food drive for Hopelink lasted through Nov. 21.

• The Greater Bothell Chamber of Commerce is collecting nonperishable food donations this month.

Donations will benefit the local Hopelink. According to the chamber, Hopelink is especially in need of tuna and peanut butter.

Donations will be accepted at the chamber office, 10017 N.E. 185th St., Bothell.

• The largest social-services agency serving people in need in north and east King County, Hopelink is on the lookout for volunteers to help with clients in the Northshore area at 18220 96th Ave. N.E., Bothell.

In December, Hopelink will need volunteers to work in its gift room, sorting gifts, stocking gifts and acting as “personal shoppers” for clients picking up holiday gifts for their children or grandchildren.

For information, call (425) 643-1912.