Stemilt's Community Investment Committee Brings Christmas Cheer to Foster Children
WENATCHEE, WA – Stemilt employees and growers went the extra mile this holiday season by providing Christmas gifts for 133 children in foster care in its community.
According to a press release, Stemilt’s Community Investment committee organized the effort that granted every child in the care of both Washington State’s Division of Child & Family Services in Wenatchee and Community Resource Group of Wenatchee/Yakima with each of their three Christmas gift wishes.
“It’s incredible to see the response of the entire Stemilt team, and we are thankful for their generosity in fulfilling the wish lists of every child in foster care in our community this year,” said Courtney Mathison, Chair of the Community Investment Committee.
According to Courtney, this is the second year that the Stemilt team provided Christmas gifts for foster children in its community.
Owens Barrios, Program Manager for Community Resource Group, was left “speechless” after seeing a room full of gifts ready to be shared with the foster children.
“It’s amazing. This is the first time I can recall that a single company was willing to take on the wish lists of all of the kids in foster care in central Washington. We are truly blessed to have people with giving hearts in our community. Our kids in foster care are blessed because of the Stemilt team’s kind spirit and this will certainly be a memorable holiday for each and every one of them,” Barrios said.
Jennifer Godfrey, Area Administrator for Division of Child and Family Services in Wenatchee, added, “When I think of how these gifts will lift the spirits of our children this holiday season – especially the many teens that have been in our care for so long – it brings me to tears. They deserve this and we are so grateful for the Stemilt team’s support and generosity in making a difference.”
Recently, Stemilt has also provided a truckload of Piñata® apples for King 5 TV’s annual Home Team Harvest event that benefits Northwest Harvest and the many local food banks they provide food to.
The generosity and care Stemilt showed in granting the wishes of these children showcase the best of the men and women working behind the scenes in our industry. The word heartwarming is over used by today's media. For this story, however, it is entirely appropriate. Great work, Stemilt!
