Editor:

We want to say THANK YOU to each and every person that helped with Holly House this year. Because of all of our volunteers, donors, sponsors, and the Holly House team, this was the best Holly House Event we’ve ever had. (We say it every year, but Holly House keeps getting bigger and better, so it’s true!).

Without our volunteers and donors Holly House would not exist (Did you know we only have one paid position in the whole organization?). Many people also brought donations and/or their friends, and helped to spread the word. Our mission is to be able to help every family that requests it, and we need to keep growing in order to do that.

We had over 25 groups donate their time and resources, including Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, sports teams, Rotary clubs, and business groups. Community members baked homemade cookies for the clients to enjoy while they awaited their entry in to Holly House. Thank you to the local restaurants that provided food for the volunteers over the 3 days and to Urban City Coffee (Mountlake Terrace) for providing coffee and cocoa to the clients and volunteers. We also give a big thank you to the many schools, service groups, local businesses, churches, banks, mortgage companies, dental offices, preschools, health care companies, book stores, and all the individuals who gave so much to Holly House in 2015.

Whether it was time, gifts, hosting a drive, and/or financial contributions, we can’t do it without all of you. So many of our families are grateful and touched by the help they have received from Holly House that they have chosen to become volunteers during the event and throughout the year, even though they are still in need of help. We appreciate them so much. We served over 1,800 children at our event December 13, 2015.

If you were involved with Holly House in some way, know that you made a positive impact that is not forgotten or overlooked. Many parents shed tears of joy knowing they don’t have to worry about how to provide the much needed necessities like socks, underwear and pajamas for their children. We’ve heard from many of them personally thanking Holly House for what we have done for them. It was a very touching and powerful weekend. Because of our supporters and the Holly House team, our families left with the ability to give their children a wonderful Christmas.

We look forward to next year!

Pam Martinez, Executive Director