Once again, the Rotary Club of Edmonds managed the gift-giving trees to support the Snohomish County CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates for Children) and the Volunteer Guardian ad Litem Programs.  These programs provide court-appointed special advocates for children who are victims or alleged victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect.  This year, we had a herculean request of 304 requests to fulfill.  Miraculously, we fulfilled all requests!

A huge thanks goes to Mr. Jack Tawney and the staff and members of Harbor Square Athletic Club who every year maintain the main tree with about 275+ mittens.  We also wish to thank Tom and Marci Kretzler and their crew and patrons of Gallaghers’ Where-U-Brew; Dick Mergens and Shawn Dowling and their crew and patrons of Crucible Brewing in Everett; and our fellow noon club Rotarians.  We are well aware that many individuals took more than two mittens to fulfill all these requests.

Everyone should feel special pride in being the angel guardians for these infants, young children and many teens. The generosity of everyone was overwhelming to those of us that work this program and we cannot express how much joy and love filled our hearts when we were processing the gifts. Those 304 kids will have glee on their faces and warmth in their hearts on Christmas Day. Everyone should feel delight in their hearts as once again, another successful year of giving.

Happy Holidays!

Santa Jim Welsh and Santa’s backup Chris Steiner and elves Diane Buckshnis, Sharalyn Ramm, and Joelle Kelly and her CASA elves.

For more information about CASA visit:   snohomishcountywa.gov/881/CASA-Program

For more information about Edmonds Rotary visit:  www.edmondsrotary.com/