12/04/08

Letters to the Editor

Volunteer for parent enrichment program

Editor,

The holiday season is upon us!  Many of us shall enjoy a grand turkey meal with family or friends, or both, while we also express our gratitude for our blessings.

As a social worker, I meet with a number of families who are less fortunate, struggling economically to meet the needs of their children and selves.  A blessing that I witness many of these families being grateful for is that they have each other.

Our community steps forward to meet the needs of our families by providing help, from turkey meals for Thanksgiving to gifts for Christmas.  Our families are grateful for the care and generosity extended by their community.

As we near the New Year with all its promises of CHANGE and HOPE, readers may be seeking a local way to make a difference, right here in our Snohomish County.

The unit that I work in is the “Parent Enrichment Program.”  We serve children and families throughout Snohomish County who are experiencing significant challenges.

As we are amidst our family and friends this holiday season, mindful of our own blessings and taking stock of possible resolutions for the New Year, readers may consider becoming a volunteer for the “Parent Enrichment Program.”  Opportunities range from being a weekly tutor to a child – right now there are children who need academic support; being a mentor to a teen – be a positive role model; being a support to a parent – single parents who can use a helping hand; or helping to make a birthday special for a child by being a birthday ‘santa’.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer or donor may contact me at 425-583-7037 or fosj300@dshs.wa.gov.

Jeannine Fosca

Parent Enrichment Program

OMCC thanks helpers

Editor,
Operation Marysville Community Christmas wishes to extend our deepest appreciation to the volunteer spirit that a number of our Marysville citizens demonstrated on November 1, 2008 during our All City Food Drive.

 
 Grocery store patrons’ generous donations of food items helped our team collect 6,650 pounds of food and $1,978 in cash and gift certificates. These donations will help serve a forecasted 1,700 families in need of the Marysville Community Food Bank’s services this holiday season.

 All of the local grocery stores in Marysville participated in this year’s event. This event would not have taken place without their support. Various stores continue their specific support for this activity by allowing the placement of the OMCC red food barrels at store’s entrances. If you missed the November 1 All City food drive but would like to still donate, please look for the red food barrel in your favorite grocery store.

 
We’d also like to recognize and thank the Snohomish County Thunder Football team, who helped collect and transport donations to our Marysville Community Food Bank to be readied for distribution.

 
 Lastly, we had a number of civic organizations that provided volunteers for the All City Food Drive. We would not have been able to help those in need without the support of Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Kiwanis, Lions, Soroptimists and various high school groups. We want to thank every one of the volunteers that stood out in the rain on November 1 and donated their time and voice to this important cause.

Vicki Seiders
On behalf of OMCC

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