OLYMPIA—More families in Washington state will have a merry Christmas this season thanks to an increase in donors and donations to the Association of Washington Business’ Holiday Kids’ Tree Project.

Despite record tough economic times, the association’s annual holiday fundraiser for families in need drew a record number of donors and donations this year: 145 individuals and businesses contributed more than $23,000. 

“The first year we did this, we didn’t even have enough money to buy decorations for the tree. More than 20 years later, it’s wonderful to see how much this program has grown and how many lives it touches,” said AWB President Don Brunell. “This is going to be a really difficult Christmas season for so many families in our state, with so many people affected by unemployment and leaner times.

“I’m very proud of the AWB member businesses and individuals who contributed to this program and happy that we are able to help so many more families and children as a result of their kindness and generosity,” he said.” That ‘s really what this season is all about.”

The AWB Holiday Kids’ Tree Project relies on donations from AWB members —small, medium and large employers from across Washington state — as well as individual donations to give local fire districts funds to purchase food and gifts for families in need.  This year, because of the increase in donations, three fire districts in Eastern Washington will be added to the distribution. All told, fire districts in Grays Harbor, Mason, Lewis and Thurston counties, along with Spokane County District No. 3, Grant County Fire District No. 3 (Mattawa) and Walla Walla County No. 4 will receive donations to distribute in their communities. The Toysmith Group, an Auburn-based toy retailer, also worked with the Toy Industry Foundation to provide $2,500 worth of toys.

Tonight’s tree-lighting ceremony in the state Capitol will begin at 6 p.m. and includes musical performances by Olympia’s Kids in Koncert. The youth singers, ranging in age from 8-18, will debut a new Christmas song, “Christmas Lights,” written specifically for the chorale group by Academy Award-winning composer Al Kasha.

Gov. Gregoire will join in the festivities with a proclamation and will assist Staff Sgt. Stephanie McDowell of the Army 448th Civil Affairs Battalion at Fort Lewis in the actual lighting of the 48-foot Noble fir tree. McDowell just returned from a year-long deployment in Iraq and will be accompanied by her fiancé, Curran Edwards, and son Marcus.

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. Photos from the event will be available via the AWB Flickr account. 

                    
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 6,800 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.