"We would not be able to do what we do without donations and volunteers," said Thomasina Cooper, development director for SafePlace Olympia.

SafePlace Olympia is an advocacy agency and confidential shelter for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Thurston County. It offers support groups, legal advocacy, emergency shelter and a 24-hour HelpLine.

"Gifts of time and people's skills are also critical to what we do," Cooper said.

However, due to the sensitive nature of the survivors being helped, SafePlace Olympia hosts three comprehensive volunteer training seminars throughout the year; the next one will be Monday, Jan. 6. Prior to attending that, potential volunteers must complete an application, which can be found here, along with a list of available volunteer positions: www.safeplaceolympia.org.

SafePlace, which uses the majority of its space to house survivors, also takes in-kind donations for specific items, to include: women's undergarments, socks and sweats, phone cards, daily bus tickets, diapers in all sizes, toilet paper, paper towels, bottled water, snack crackers and full-sized toiletries and hygiene products, from toothpaste to shampoo.

"I use the analogy of thinking what it takes to run your house ... and then multiply it by 28, because that is how many people are staying here," she explained.

There is also a constant need for gift cards in denominations ranging from $5 to $50 for stores such as Target, Fred Meyer, Safeway, Walgreens and Rite Aid. Gift cards for gas stations and local grocery stores are used to fund transportation and purchase basic sustenance. Toys R Us gift cards are welcome all of the time, especially during the holidays.

"Really, the best thing we can give folks is a gift card," she said. "They are the gift of empowerment for folks who haven't had the opportunity to make decisions for themselves. This allows them to make decisions, however small, for and by themselves."

SafePlace is also able to collect used cell phones, because they can be utilized to call 911 for help, regardless of whether they have service or not. In case of a surplus, the excess phones can be sent to a recycling program that pays a stipend, which can then be used for daily operations at the nonprofit.

Physical donations can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to noon and then 1-5 p.m. between Monday and Thursday at the SafePlace Community Services Office, 314 Legion Way SE in Olympia.

Financial donations are also appreciated and can be made via the website, by mail or in person. In fact, close to 40 percent of the funds for SafePlace come from individual and business donors. Since it strives to keep overhead and administrative costs low, Cooper clarified that 80 percent of every dollar donated goes directly to SafePlace programs and services.

For more information on how you can support SafePlace Olympia, visit safeplaceolympia.org.