​Angela Walz, Public Affairs, 509-377-4010
Angela Smith, Public Affairs, 509-377-4154                                                                         

RICHLAND, Wash. – More than 400 children in Benton and Franklin counties will receive gifts from Santa and his elves this week during Head Start holiday parties.

Energy Northwest is sponsoring 11 parties at local schools on Dec. 18 and 19 beginning at 10:30 a.m. both days. The employee-purchased gifts – both toys and needed clothing items – will be distributed by Energy Northwest employees dressed as Santa and his elves.

For more than three decades Energy Northwest employees have brought holiday cheer to local children of low-income families – nearly 11,000 children since 1980.

News media are invited to attend any of the parties at the following locations. Energy Northwest employees will be available to support your news gathering efforts. 

About Head Start: Created in 1965, Head Start is the most successful, longest-running, national school readiness program in the United States. It provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition and parent involvement services to families earning income at or below the federal poverty level. More than 25 million pre-school aged children have benefited from Head Start.

About Energy Northwest: Energy Northwest develops, owns and operates a diverse mix of electricity generating resources, including hydro, solar and wind projects – and the Northwest’s only nuclear energy facility. These projects provide enough reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible energy to power more than a million homes each year, and that carbon-free electricity is provided at the cost of generation. As a Washington state, not-for-profit joint operating agency, Energy Northwest comprises 27 public power member utilities from across the state serving more than 1.5 million ratepayers. The agency continually explores new generation projects to meet its members’ needs.
Energy Northwest -- www.energy-northwest.com.

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