Santa's Helpers Fill Bags of Toys for Kids
Members of Energy Northwest’s Women in Nuclear (WIN) chapter and Public Affairs team helped make the holidays bright for children in need this December. Both groups volunteered with the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program, filling wish lists for children from the community.
The program serves more than 5,000 children in Richland, Pasco, Kennewick, and the surrounding area. In 2022, more than 19,000 toys were distributed. Each family fills out a wish list with the name, age, and interests of each child. Energy Northwest's WIN volunteers helped fill the wish lists from donated toys, picking a small, medium, and large toy for each child, as well as a book, stuffed animal, and stocking-stuffer item.
Santa, Elves Visit Benton-Franklin Head Start
On December 13, the sound of sleigh bells rang across the Tri-Cities as Santa and his elves arrived at Head Start schools to deliver gifts. It took 10 of the jolly ol’ elves, more than a dozen helpers, and 2 Mrs. Clauses to deliver all the gifts to about 350 children at 7 locations in the Benton Franklin Head Start program. Energy Northwest employees have sponsored the Head Start participants for more than 40 years.
Mobile Food Handout Supports 378 Families
A heartwarming team of nearly 30 Energy Northwest employees and their family members joined other community volunteers to hand out fresh produce, entrees, and dry goods to about 378 families during a Second Harvest mobile food drive event on November 17 in Richland, Washington. Second Harvest's Mobile Market has delivered healthy food at no cost to families, children, and seniors experiencing food insecurity since 2006.