There were 18 rural fire districts from across the state at the tree lighting ceremony to receive a check and a bag full of toys to hand out to needy families in their communities.
Chief Mark King of SE Thurston Fire Authority received a check and a bag of toys from Secretary of State Kim Wyman on behalf of Holiday Kids Tree Project Association, sponsored by the Association of Washington Businesses in Olympia.
The funds will be used to put a smile on the faces of children in Yelm, Rainier, and the surrounding area with Christmas dinners, clothes, toys and games.
The schools of Yelm and Rainier will provide a list of families struggling this Holiday season to the SE Thurston Fire Authority.
This year, a 30-foot Noble Fir came from the Weyerhauser Tree Farm. The tree is decorated with 7,000 lights, ornaments, dolls, and stuffed animals. The choir performed Christmas music, candy canes were handed out, and children talked with Santa.
When the tree is taken down, the dolls and stuffed animals along with a book are donated to the children’s hospital.
Left to right: SE Thurston Fire Authority Chief Mark King, Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman, and Firefighter Tony Brosco
