RICHLAND, WASH. - Energy Northwest’s fundraising campaign for area Head Start schools raised $6,806.75 this year. The campaign committee presented a check in that amount to the Benton Franklin Head Start Program at Energy Northwest’s Executive Board meeting today. This represents an increase of over $2,000 from last year’s donation.
Early Head Start Program Service Coordinator Joel Cortina accepted the check from campaign chair Zeny Myers on behalf of James Skucy, Executive Director of the Benton Franklin Head Start Program. According to Cortina, “As in years past, this money will be used throughout the area’s Head Start program to purchase needed items such as books, chairs, shelves, and classroom supplies.”The money was raised through raffle ticket and blue jean day sticker sales, a coin war, and donations. According to Myers, “Employee participation was quite high this year, as reflected by the fact that we raised 43 percent more money for the program.”
In addition to raising funds for the program, Energy Northwest employees donated gifts of clothing and toys to 438 children in December, an increase of 67 children over last year. The gifts were distributed to children of families who elected to participate at holiday parties held at all six area Head Start schools. The parties featured visits by Santa and his elves who sang carols with the children and their teachers before distributing the gifts.
This marks the 24th year Energy Northwest employees have participated in the program, one of three major fundraising campaigns the company sponsors each year, the other two being United Way and March of Dimes Walk America.
Created in 1965, Head Start is the most successful, longest-running, national school readiness program in the US. 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.