OLYMPIA — The Association of Washington Business will host the 20th annual Capitol Holiday Kids’ Tree lighting ceremony this Friday, Dec. 5, in the rotunda of the Washington State Legislative Building.
The program will begin at 6 p.m. and will include musical performances by Kids in Koncert, an Olympia-area youth choir. Gov. Chris Gregoire will read an official proclamation and join Maj. Kristian and Karine Harjo and their two sons in the lighting of 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.
AWB members — representing large and small employers from across the state — support the program with donations. This year’s 25-foot noble fir tree is provided by Port Blakely Tree Farms. The Toysmith Group, an Auburn-based toy retailer, is donating $2,500 worth of toys. And, in keeping with this year’s theme, “Wonderland of Books,” Barnes & Noble partnered with AWB on the event and will be donating books to Seattle Children’s Hospital.
To date, more than $15,000 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.
“While the tree is the most visible symbol of this effort, the real joy is in the hundreds of families supported through donations from AWB members,” said AWB President Don Brunell. “Christmas will be tough for many families this year. We’re glad we can help make their holidays a little brighter with the gifts that are generated through this project.”
WHO: Association of Washington Business
• Don Brunell, AWB President
• Jack McRae, Senior Vice President, Premera Blue Cross
and AWB Chair of the Board
Gov. Chris Gregoire
Santa Claus and his elves
WHAT: AWB Capitol Holiday Kids’ Tree
WHERE: Washington State Legislative Building Rotunda
Capitol Campus
Olympia
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 5
Program begins at 6 p.m.
• Official lighting to occur at approximately 6:27 p.m.
OTHER: This event is open to the public.
About the Association of Washington Business
Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association, serving as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturing and technology association. While its 6,500 members include 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.
