Tree of Joy Holiday Gift Project in Klickitat and Skamania Counties Seeks Donors for Families in Need
From Washington Gorge Action Program:
By Tammy Kaufman
Bingen, Washington, November 8, 2023 - The call for donors is in high gear to meet the demand for the Tree of Joy holiday gift project in Klickitat and Skamania counties. The goal is to help families in need by providing new essential items, such as winter coats, hats, gloves, clothing, and shoes, with other gifts and toys to brighten a child’s holiday season.
Tree of Joy is coordinated through Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP), primarily through the Bingen Food Bank, which assists a wide range of clients from Klickitat and Skamania counties.
“Donor count is down this year,” said Leslie Naramore, WAGAP executive director. “We are noticing the trend that started during COVID-19 is continuing.” She explained that a shift to remote work seems to have disconnected workers from holiday activities with their companies that support local communities.
Traditionally, when employees were at office locations, past Tree of Joy efforts centered around hanging gift tags in lobbies on trees or decorations, where workers could see the holiday effort daily and get excited to participate. It created a friendly competition as wishes were fulfilled and gifts were placed under trees until delivered to WAGAP for distribution.
“What we haven’t seen a corresponding decrease in requests from families,” Naramore said. “If anything, the demand is higher as our supply is dwindling. So, we want to engage with local businesses and individuals to join the program. Donors from the past are encouraged to rejoin the effort, and we invite people who have never done it before to make this their first year of Tree of Joy giving.”
In recent years, the program rose from 200 to 300 children registered, but the team is concerned it won’t be able to help all children this year due to a lack of donors. Donors are welcome to shop for individual children and family groups or to donate money, and then staff will shop to fulfill wish lists.
For individuals and organizations interested in joining this year’s Tree of Joy effort, please contact Modesta Espinoza at clerk@wagap.org or call (509) 493-2662 extension 200 for further questions or instructions. Let her know how many children your organization can support.
Donor shopping lists will be available by November 21 in advance of Thanksgiving. Gifts should be wrapped, clearly indicate family and child numbers, and be returned to the Bingen Food Bank by December 18, in time for the families to pick gifts up starting December 19. “We are always so thankful for neighbors who step up to help children in our community,” Espinoza said. “A small contribution can go a long way for a family in need.”
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Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Action Agency that helps individuals, families, and communities. WAGAP addresses basic human needs, including food, shelter, energy assistance, and more, in Skamania and Klickitat Counties. For more than 50 years, WAGAP has helped people help themselves and reach self-sufficiency. Learn more at wagap.org, or contact WAGAP at (509) 493-2662 or info@wagap.org.
