WAGAP seeks sponsors for the Tree of Joy
Holiday program links donors with children in need in Klickitat and Skamania counties

Bingen, WA (October 30, 2024) – Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) hopes to reach 300 children from families in need this holiday season through the Tree of Joy program that provides essential winter items like cold weather coats, clothing, hats, gloves, and boots, with a special gift item or toy that brightens a child’s holiday season.

To reach this new goal, WAGAP invites local businesses, organizations, and individuals to join the Tree of Joy sponsor team, which it says is essential to lifting the financial burden for parents during the holiday season.

The program is run through the WAGAP Food Bank Network, including the Mobile Food Bank, which covers Klickitat and Skamania counties. Most requests are received at the Bingen and Goldendale Food Banks. Last year, 230 children were provided warm clothes and a toy through the program.

“Central and eastern Klickitat County has more requests this year due to the recent additional outreach for the Energy Assistance program to rural and native communities,” said Juan Reyes, WAGAP associate director. “We are working hard to meet the demands and invite new donors to join us in supporting the Tree of Joy.”

Reyes says sponsors can assist in a couple of ways. “Some may choose to donate funding and let WAGAP do the shopping,” he said. He added that, alternatively, they can choose to be more active and receive lists of the children’s winter clothing needs and wish list items and do the shopping and wrapping for a child or children. All recipients remain anonymous. “WAGAP can accommodate whatever works best for our sponsors,” Reyes said.

Service groups like the White Salmon-Bingen Rotary Club are helping to step up the efforts. “This year, our Rotary Club members elected to double the number of children we support for the Tree of Joy,” said Travis Cieloha, the club’s co-coordinator for the holiday program. “We were able to secure matching funds from our Rotary District 5100 grant program, allowing us to expand from 25 up to 50 children. Our club members are ready to get busy shopping!”

To join the Tree of Joy donor team, a group or individual can register online as a sponsor at https://forms.gle/jb5XGMZocyVvw3az9. A sponsor can list which general geographic area they want to support. Sponsors can also indicate the number of children they would like to support and whether they would like to shop for gifts or have the WAGAP team do the shopping.

Sponsors can also connect directly at the following offices:

- The Bingen office supports western Klickitat County and the Underwood area, and a sponsor can also connect with Patty Gallardo Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at patty@wagap.org or call 509-493-2662.

- The Goldendale office supports central and eastern Klickitat County, and Kristi Packer is available to help with questions Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at kristi@wagap.org or by phone at 509-773-6834.

- The Stevenson office supports Skamania County requests, and Brandee Huber is available to organize sponsors and can be reached Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at brandee@wagap.org or by phone at 509-427-8229.

Sponsors need to register by Wednesday, November 20, to participate. Sponsor shopping lists will be available before Thanksgiving so shoppers can take advantage of specials. Gifts should be wrapped, clearly indicate family and child numbers, and be returned to the assigned Food Bank by December 16, in time for the families to pick gifts up starting December 18.

“Thank you to all of our neighbors who step up to help children in our community,” Reyes said. “These contributions go a long way for a family in need and make their holidays brighter.”

# # #

Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Action Agency that helps individuals, families, and communities. WAGAP addresses basic human needs, including food, shelter, energy assistance, and more, in Skamania and Klickitat Counties. For more than 50 years, WAGAP has helped people help themselves and reach self-sufficiency. Learn more at wagap.org, or contact WAGAP at (509) 493-2662 or info@wagap.org.