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Home / Press Releases - 2007 / Holiday Kids’ Tree Donations Top $25,000 |
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Holiday Kids’ Tree Donations Top $25,000 |
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Written On: November 30, 2007 |
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Written By: Richard Davis |
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OLYMPIA—Donations to the Capitol Holiday Kids' Tree project are up 60 percent this year, according to Association of Washington Business President Don C. Brunell. Contributions are expected to climb even higher before the annual tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 7.
AWB has sponsored the Capitol Holiday Kids'Tree since 1989. Last year, donations topped $15,000 for the first time. Brunell credits a good economy and "people wanting to help people" as the reason for the large jump in contributions. The money comes from more than 100 AWB members and friends throughout Washington.
In just 18 years, AWB, Washington's state chamber of commerce, 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 Association, the state's private forest landowners' organization, to provide a 25-foot Noble fir every year. This year, Rayonier of Sequim, WA provided the tree that will be delivered to the State Capitol on Dec. 3.
The 18th Annual State Capitol Holiday Kids' Tree Lighting Ceremony, sponsored by AWB and the Capitol Campus Volunteers, will take place Dec. 7 at 6:00 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda. The event is free and open to the public.
Gov. Chris Gregoire and AWB Chair Brad Carlson, owner of Evergreen Memorial Garden of Vancouver, WA will speak at the ceremony.
"This has become a very important project for fire departments in small towns where there are fewer organizations to help families in need," Brunell said. "So far, we have received more than $25,000 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 most."
In addition to Gov. Gregoire and Carlson, there will also be musical entertainment and a visit by Santa and his elves.
The tree will be lighted and on display in the Capitol Rotunda until the beginning of the new year. There is no charge for admission to view the tree, and all are welcome.
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