Celebrating LifeWorks NW seasonal traditions
LifeWorks NW has many traditions, old and new, that honor the spirit of giving and community at the end of each year. Below are a few of the ways we have celebrated the season in and around LifeWorks NW in 2025!
Ferguson-Murphy Charities gifts holiday bikes to kids in LifeWorks NW relief nurseries and programs.
Ferguson Murphy Charities continued their tradition of gifting bikes to kids and families in LifeWorks NW programs in late December. Organized by cousins Bart and Ted Ferguson, the annual drive gifts over 100 bikes and helmets to kids across the Portland area. Their goal is to provide that “magic moment” of receiving a new bike for the holidays. The Ferguson family coordinates the delivery of bikes to the Sylvan campus, and the LifeWorks NW Facilities team distributes the donated items across four different sites. Many thanks to Ferguson Murphy Charities for such an incredible partnership over the years!
Learn more:
- The magic of the moment (December 2024)
- Bikes for LifeWorks NW programs' kids (December 2023)
Santa visits and other fun at LifeWorks NW programs
LifeWorks NW staff members go the extra mile to celebrate the holidays with cheer.
Our Project Network residential program enjoys the festivities with holiday crafts and food. Staff and residents make stockings, wrap presents, and watch holiday movies. The families gather for pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, aka Clinical Supervisor Archie Moore and Senior Program Director Francesca Barnett, and end the celebration with an on-site holiday meal.
Ben Jones, Maintenance Tech, also took on the role of Santa at a few sites last year after agreeing to grow out his beard for the event. He had such a great time he decided to do it again this year! You can learn more about Ben's path to becoming Santa in his staff profile.
The Sharing Tree at Washington Square Mall makes holiday dreams come true
LifeWorks NW volunteers returned to the Sharing Tree at Washington Square Mall for another season of giving. LifeWorks NW has participated in this tradition for 30 years. A large tree adorned with thousands of felt ornaments sits in the mall, each with a tag with a desired item written on it. Washington Square guests select one or more ornaments to purchase the item on the tag(s). They then return to the Sharing Tree with the purchased items, which are distributed to participating nonprofits.
Learn more:
Jesuit High School food drive supports local families
Each year, Jesuit High School organizes a large food drive, and LifeWorks NW partners with Jesuit to provide food for families receiving services. Now in its 57th year, the food drive provided food and other items to 380 families across the area through partnering organizations. We are so grateful to be one of them!