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State Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Open to Public |
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Written On: November 29, 2006 |
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OLYMPIA—The 17th Annual State Capitol Holiday Kids’ Tree Lighting Ceremony, sponsored by the Association of Washington Business and the Capitol Campus Volunteers, will take place in the Capitol Rotunda Dec. 1 starting at 6:00 p.m. It is open to the public free of charge.
AWB has sponsored the event since 1989. Over that period AWB, the state’s chamber of commerce, has raised more than a quarter million dollars to fund the state’s Christmas Tree and to help rural fire departments purchase food and gifts for local families in need.
AWB partners with the Capitol Campus Volunteers, who decorate the tree, and the Washington Forest Protection, the state’s private forest landowners organization, to provide the 30-foot Noble fir, which becomes the state’s Christmas Tree. This year, West Fork Timber Company of Mineral provided the tree, which was cut Thanksgiving weekend, then delivered to the state capitol on Monday.
Governor Christine Gregoire and AWB Chair Kirk Nelson, CEO of Qwest-Washington, Seattle, will speak at the tree lighting ceremony. "This has become a very important project for fire departments in small towns where there are fewer organizations to help families in need," AWB President Don Brunell said. "So far, we have received more than $15,000 in donations."
Each fire department sends a representative to receive the money at the tree lighting ceremony. "The local firefighters have a better understanding of what their communities need," Brunell said. "By giving them the donations, they can focus on what their community needs more."
Along with Gov. Gregoire and Nelson there will be a choir of young children. Santa and his elves will also attend. The tree will be lighted and on display in the state capitol until New Year’s. There is no charge for admission.
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