OLYMPIA — The holidays will officially kick off tonight in Washington state’s Capitol Rotunda with the lighting of the 20th Annual Capitol Holiday Kids’ Tree. The tree is sponsored by the Association of Washington Business.
The program begins at 6 p.m. and includes seasonal music by the Capital Playhouse’s Kids in Koncert. Gov. Chris Gregoire will read an official proclamation and join Maj. Kristian and Karine Harjo and their two sons to light the tree. Maj. Harjo is commander of the 116th Weather Flight for the Washington National Guard at McChord Air Force Base and served in Iraq in 2006.
“This is a special time of year, and we are proud to sponsor an event that does so much good for area families and children,” said AWB President Don Brunell. “A project like this is a collaborative effort, and for that we are truly grateful. Our friends at Port Blakely Tree Farms provided us with a beautiful tree this year, which we hope will be a reminder to all of the generosity that is alive in our great state.
“The Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony has become a tradition for many in this community. My own family will be at the tree lighting, and we will have our family photo taken at the base of the tree,” added Brunell. “We are excited to sponsor this project and look forward to doing so for many more years to come.”
To date, more than $20,000 in donations has been raised for this year’s tree project. All toys and contributions collected as a part of the project are distributed to deserving families in rural communities with the assistance of local fire departments.
AWB members — representing large and small employers from across the state — support the program with donations. In addition to Port Blakely’s donation of the 25-foot noble fir, the Toysmith Group and the Toy Industry Foundation are donating $2,500 worth of toys. Barnes & Noble also donated books which will be distributed to patients at Seattle Children’s Hospital. The theme for this year’s tree is “Wonderland of Books.”
AWB also partners with the Department of General Administration to install and decorate the tree. The Capitol Campus Volunteers help coordinate this event each year.
The Holiday Tree will be 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.
About the Association of Washington Business
Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association, and includes more than 6,500 members representing 650,000 employees. AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturing and technology association. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing, Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser, 90 percent of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about AWB, visit www.awb.org.
