Community prepares to help families during Christmas
November 25, 2009
By Contributed
When Tina Maloney, of Sterling Savings Bank, took over Giving for Toys nearly four years ago, she promised to expand the program that had provided toys for families in need for a decade.
Donations are already starting to pile up for Sterling Savings Bank Giving for Toys drive. contibuted
To her delight, local businesses and members of the community responded to her efforts, and by the time she became chairwoman last year, one-third more families benefited from the Kiwanis Club Giving Tree Program.
“The first year I came on board, the Giving Tree Program provided toys for 75-100 families,” Maloney said, explaining that families in need sign up between December 1 and 15 at the bank offices. “Last year, it was nearly 175 families and we hope to match that same number, or even exceed it this year.”
Sterling Savings Bank is again sponsoring the annual Giving Tree Program.
Originally started as a toy drive by an ambitious student at Chief Kanim Middle School more than a decade ago, the program evolved to include the sheriff’s office and other organizations outside of the Valley.
When Amy Smith, of the Mount Si High School Key Club, became familiar with the program, she recommended the group work with the Kiwanis Club for more effective distribution of toys around the Valley. The organization eagerly signed up.
Now, the Giving Tree Program works with Snoqualmie Valley Schools, including Fall City, Snoqualmie and Opstad elementary schools, Chief Kanim Middle School and Mount Si High School.
The Giving Tree Program is unique, because it combines youth efforts with business and local government efforts.
“The program wouldn’t be successful without the incredible support of the people who live in the community,” Maloney said. “And it wouldn’t be as effective without the generosity of so many participating businesses, who make space for trees and then collect the toys for distribution.”
Participating businesses include Ace Hardware, QFC, Safeway, IGA of Snoqualmie Ridge, Cascade Office Supply, the Moose Lodge, Sterling Savings Bank, the North Bend Library, Hauglie Insurance Agency (Snoqualmie and Fall City offices), Eastside Storage of North Bend, Sno-Falls Credit Union, the city of Snoqualmie and the Snoqualmie Railroad Museum.
To make certain enough toys are collected for all children ages birth to 17, a three-child limit per family ensures enough toys for all families. Tags are placed on trees with an age range, along with suggestions for age-appropriate toys.
The trees and tags will go up the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Donations are collected until December 15, and then provided to the Kiwanis Club for distribution Dec. 17 and 18 at 400 S.E. Orchard Drive, North Bend. The 17th is reserved for parents, and the 18th is for grandparents.
For more information, call Maloney at Sterling Savings Bank at 888-1616.
Sarah Gerdes is a freelance writer. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
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