‘Thrive, not just survive’: Foster dad shares how Treehouse changed his son’s life
Dec 10, 2025, 5:00 AM
KIRO Newsradio’s 37th annual Holiday Magic fundraiser aims to brighten holidays for Washington youth in foster care
When Daniel Magpali and his husband brought home their two-week-old foster son nearly three years ago, they quickly learned the difference between meeting a child’s basic needs and helping them truly flourish.
That’s where Treehouse stepped in.
“The state’s role is to ensure that the foster kiddo has their basic needs met — food, water, shelter,” Magpali, now a co-chair of Treehouse’s ambassador board, said. “But what Treehouse does is help kiddos thrive, not just survive.”
On Dec. 10, KIRO Newsradio will celebrate 37 years of Holiday Magic, a day-long fundraiser supporting Treehouse and the thousands of children in foster care across Washington. The station will feature 13 hours of stories, guests, and reasons to give, highlighting how the organization transforms lives during the holidays and throughout the year.
Magpali’s journey with Treehouse began practically. After getting licensed through Amara, a foster care organization, the couple received their infant son. Amara recommended checking out Treehouse for clothing and other support.
“Once we went into the Treehouse store in Seattle, I was really shocked at how nice it was,” Magpali said. “We got him his clothing there.”
Joining Treehouse’s ambassador board
But eight months later, Magpali wanted to know more about what happened behind the scenes. He looked up the ambassador board and got involved. Now in his second year, he’s hooked.
“I think they have a really strong organization financially, and the staff are incredible,” he said.
Today, Treehouse pays for his son’s swim lessons, exactly the kind of normal childhood activity that helps foster children feel like every other kid.
“These are, what I would say, normal activities for growth and development,” Magpali explained. “It’s being able to get those resources and access to resources that other children may have access to, so that they’re not looked at as ‘Oh, you’re the foster kiddo, you must be different,’ versus ‘Oh, you’re just like me.'”
That includes everything from school dances to safe daycare to school trips, opportunities that have nothing to do with being in foster care and everything to do with simply being a child.
“How do you make it so they are able to socialize just like every other kiddo can?” Magpali asked.
For Magpali and his husband, fostering was always about the child, not themselves. They specifically chose to foster rather than adopt directly, hoping to stabilize children so they could potentially return to their biological families, even knowing they could lose the toddler they’ve raised for more than two years.
“We are willing to sacrifice that because it really isn’t about us. It’s really about the child,” he said. “It has to be about centering the child, not yourself.”
That philosophy extends throughout Treehouse, Magpali said. What makes the organization special is that staff and volunteers bring something extra.
“There’s something else that’s driving them to be here other than ‘this is just another volunteer opportunity’ or ‘this is just another job,'” he said. “It really truly takes a village — volunteers, staff, donors — to really give to these kids because we’re all in it for that kiddo.”
This holiday season, while many families celebrate together, thousands of children in foster care face the holidays without their parents, brothers, and sisters. KIRO Newsradio’s Holiday Magic program aims to make the season brighter while supporting Treehouse programs year-round.
The fundraising campaign begins Dec. 8 with an online auction featuring a variety of items, running through Dec. 10. Then, on Dec. 10, KIRO Newsradio will broadcast 13 hours of inspiring stories from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., sharing the experiences of foster youth, families, and Treehouse supporters.
Throughout the day, special guests will discuss the impact Treehouse has on children across Washington. Each hour, the station will announce limited incentive items available to donors, including gift cards, game tickets, and merchandise. Listeners will need to call quickly to secure these special gifts. Those who want to contribute can call the Holiday Magic call center on Wednesday at (888) 973-5476, text MAGIC to the same number, or donate online.
All proceeds benefit Treehouse and help provide essential services, educational support, and opportunities for normalcy to youth in foster care throughout Washington. For more information about the auction, donation options, and the full day of programming, visit mynorthwest.com/holidaymagic.
Charlie Harger is the host of “Seattle’s Morning News” on KIRO Newsradio. You can read more of his stories and commentaries here. Follow Charlie on X and email him here.
