Gifts of Hope was established by Samona J. Burleson in October 2017 in response to the stark reality of homelessness in Seattle, WA, impacting over 12,000 individuals, including children, with limited avenues for community support.

 Recognizing the community's genuine desire to help, GOH pioneered the concept of a Christmas wishlist at the Othello Village Tiny House Camp in South Seattle. Subsequently, Samona extended outreach to schools, shelters, camps, and low-income housing residents.

Initially aiming to support 50 individuals during Christmas, by December 13th, 2017, over 500 people were embraced by the community. This spirit of assistance persisted throughout the year, encompassing initiatives such as providing backpacks for students, offering free haircuts, organizing birthday parties for children, settling school fees, and more. In 2023, our outreach extended to over 6000 individuals across Seattle, with our impact steadily growing. The number of both donors and families assisted has tripled as we approach our 7th Annual Christmas Assistance Program anniversary, symbolizing the enduring commitment to spreading hope and support within our community.