Never Too Early To Bring Holidays To A Child

It’s hard to be a child when the holidays approach and your family has no financial means to purchase gifts. When you're homeless as well, it's even tougher.

That's why Everett Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors are raising money for the Ambassadors’ annual holiday party for students of the Volunteers of American’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), a state-funded preschool program for four and five year old low-income and special needs students.

Chamber Ambassadors ask Chamber members and members of the community to dig deep for contributions. All donations will be used to purchase holiday gifts and much-needed personal items.

The money will go to the Dick Stevens Volunteers of America Memorial Christmas Fund, named in honor of the late Everett Chamber Ambassador, who died in October 1998. Even during his illness, Dick gave much of his time to the VOA school, organizing the first children’s party in 1997.

Donated personal hygiene items are welcome as well. Santa Claus himself will distribute the gifts at a party in mid-December. A gift-wrapping party for Ambassadors and volunteers will precede the event.

ECEAP serves a variety of families, including homeless, bilingual and English as a second language, and children with special needs. Children are provided with a fun and interactive learning experience that includes health and nutrition education. The families served through the program are housed by the VOA and other Everett-area human services agencies.

For more information and to make a donation, contact the Chamber at 425-257-3222, or mail checks to Everett Area Chamber of Commerce, ECEAP Fund, 2000 Hewitt Avenue, Suite B, Everett, WA 98201.

Do it for the kids.