January 25, 2006
News Release 06-01
Brad Peck, Corporate Communications Officer
(509) 377-8247 / 727-2808
RICHLAND, Wash. – Energy Northwest employees have wrapped up their 2005 Head Start fundraising campaign with a $6,712.80 donation to the Benton Franklin Head Start Program. Mary Zilar, employee campaign chairperson presented a report on the 2005 Head Start Program, and Energy Northwest CEO Vic Parrish presented the donation to Head Start Director Jim Skucy at an Energy Northwest Executive Board meeting in Richland this morning.
Skucy said the funds will be used throughout the area’s Head Start program to purchase books, chairs, shelves, classroom supplies and other needs.
Zilar said the money was raised through raffles, Blue Jean Day sticker sales, a coin war between agency departments, and unsolicited employee donations.
Energy Northwest employees also donated gifts of clothing and toys to 447 children in the Head Start program in December, an increase of 76 children over the last two years. The gifts were distributed to children who participated in 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 was Energy Northwest’s 25th year of support for the Head Start program, one of three major fundraising campaigns the company sponsors each year. The other two are United Way and March of Dimes Walk America.
Created in 1965, Head Start is the longest-running, national school readiness program in the US. It provides 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.