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Submitted by Association of Washington Business

What is the Holiday Kids’ Tree Project? The Holiday Kids’ Tree Project is a charitable project of the Association of Washington Business (AWB) that benefits children and families in rural communities statewide. AWB members, including large and small employers from across the state and individuals support the program with donations.

A long line of eager children visited with Santa and posed for pictures with him and his North Pole entourage in front of the 2017 Holiday Kids’ Tree on Friday, Dec. 1, in the state Capitol rotunda. (Photo: Brian Mittge/AWB)

AWB also hosts the annual tree-lighting ceremony at the state Capitol Rotunda where money and gifts are presented by AWB and the governor to the rural fire departments. While the tree-lighting ceremony is the most visible symbol of this effort, the real joy is in the hundreds of needy families supported through donations from AWB member businesses and individuals.

When did this program begin? Started in 1989, this year’s ceremony marks the 30th anniversary of the Holiday Kids’ Tree. The first year of the event, AWB raised just enough money to set up the tree.

Who contributed to the effort this year and how will the donations be distributed? To date, 67 AWB member businesses and individuals from around the state have donated to the project. Each of the 18 fire districts will receive $1,000 and a large bag of gifts to distribute to families in need this holiday season.

Northwest native animals decorate the 2017 Holiday Kids’ Tree in the Capitol rotunda. At the end of the month when the tree is taken down, the stuffed animals will be donated to children’s hospital patients. (Photo: Brian Mittge/AWB)

How much money has the project raised since it first began? Since 1989, AWB has raised more than $420,000 for families who benefit from this project.

What does AWB do with the money for this project? The money is distributed to 18 rural fire districts in nine counties, which use the funds to buy food and gifts for families in their communities. The counties that will receive funds are Grant, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Spokane, Thurston, Okanogan, Chelan and Walla Walla.

Who provides the decorations? What is this year’s theme? AWB purchased the decorations. The tree will be decorated with 7,000 LED lights and festive traditional decorations, along with stuffed characters representing this year’s theme of “Military Bears” and will represent all branches of the U.S. military. The stuffed ornaments will be donated to an area children’s hospital when the tree comes down at the end of December. The stuffed characters will be individually wrapped and then handed out to children at the hospital.

Who provides the tree? The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services provides the tree. Like last year, Weyerhaeuser’s Vail Tree Farm donated the tree.

How tall is the tree? What kind of tree is it? This year’s tree is a 25-foot Noble fir, donated by Weyerhaeuser’s Vail Tree Farm in Rainier, Wash. The elevation of the tree farm is roughly 2,100 feet.

Gov. Jay Inslee joins Washington Department of Enterprise Services employees to help put the 2017 Holiday Kids’ Tree into place in the Capitol rotunda on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The 30-foot noble fir was donated by Weyerhaeuser and grown on its Vail Tree Farm. (Photo: Brian Mittge/AWB)

Who decorates the tree? The State Visitor Services helps coordinate this event each year. Staff from the Department of Enterprise Services put the tree in place and decorate the tree alongside AWB. The tree was donated by Weyerhaeuser.

Who will light this year’s tree? Gov. Jay Inslee and First Lady Trudi Inslee will light the tree with help from Officer Jon Hazan, Olympia Police Department, and former Sergeant in the Army Reserves with the 448th Civil Affairs Battalion, along with his wife Christy and their 6-year-old son Matthew and 5-year-old daughter Allison.

Moment of Silence: This year’s Holiday Kids’ Tree lighting ceremony falls on December 7, which marks the 77th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. Kris Johnson will lead attendees in a moment of silence in remembrance prior to the tree lighting.

Whom do I contact for more information? AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at 360.943.1600 or BonnieM@awb.org.

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