December 9, 2005
News Release 05-21
Brad Peck, Corporate Communications Officer
(509) 377-8247 / 727-2808
RICHLAND, Wash. – This year marks Energy Northwest’s 25th year of support to the Benton-Franklin Head Start program with employees once again providing gifts to help brighten the holidays for young people in the lower Columbia Basin.
Energy Northwest employees “adopted” a total of 447 local children in the Head Start program, donating gifts to ensure every adopted child receives one toy and one clothing item. The gifts will be distributed to the children by Santa and his elves (aka Energy Northwest employees) at Head Start Christmas parties on Wednesday and Thursday at the following locations and times:
9:00 a.m. Wednesday December 14 |
Point of contact at the party |
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9:00 a.m. Thursday December 15 |
Point of contact at the party |
Central Pasco 3203 W. Sylvester Pasco, WA |
Sheri Bird |
Sunnyslopes 1915 W. 4th Place Kennewick, WA |
Dolly Richendrfer |
|
Martin Luther King 205 S. Wehe Pasco, WA |
Amy Brown |
Benton City 313 #B 3rd St Benton City, WA |
Mary Zilar |
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Children’s Center 1549 Georgia Ave Richland, WA |
Mary Zilar |
Children’s Center 1549 Georgia Ave Richland, WA |
Sheri Bird Amy Brown |
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Finley 222204 Game Farm Rd Finley, WA |
Dolly Richendrfer |
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In addition to the Christmas parties and gifts, Energy Northwest employees are raising funds to buy books, supplies and other teaching materials for area Head Start programs. That campaign continues into January 2006 when all the funds raised will be delivered to Head Start.
Enthusiastic support for both programs is provided from throughout the organization including Energy Northwest’s Board of Directors, Executive Board and senior management staff.
Head Start is one of three major fundraising campaigns Energy Northwest sponsors each year. The others are United Way and March of Dimes. Employee support is strong for all three programs.
Created in 1965, Head Start is the most successful, longest-running, national school readiness program in the U.S. It provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low income children and their families. More than 21 million pre-school aged children have benefited from Head Start.