News

Need was Great, So was Outpouring

January 23, 2010

On behalf of the Christmas House Board of Directors I would like to thank all of the contributors, volunteers and the Everett Boys and Girls Club for helping us make this year’s Christmas House a success. The need was even greater this year and our army of volunteers (625) contributed over 9,500 volunteer hours and helped serve nearly 3,900 families and nearly 11,000 children from Snohomish County. It was a true joy to be able to help so many families in need. (Rick Kvangnes, President, Christmas House)

City Bank Donation

December, 2009

Greg Noren, Vice-President of marketing for CITYBANK (right), presented a $20,000 check for “Kids On Wheels” to Christmas House President, Rick Kvangnes (left). With this donation Christmas House purchased more than 350 new bicycles and tricycles in 2009 that were given to children from qualifying low income families throughout Snohomish County.

Charity Helps Parents Find Gifts

December 23, 2009

Christmas can be an expensive holiday. To prepare for this week, many Snohomish County residents have been scrambling for months to find their Christmas hams, trees, lights and of course, presents. So as the struggling economy means more residents are losing jobs, taking furlough days or just trying to make ends meet, groups across the county are helping others meet the financial cost of Christmas . (see Tribune article).

Charity is in Demand

December 7, 2009

Christmas House expects to have a record-setting year as it celebrates its 29th anniversary. The nonprofit organization will spend 15 days this month giving away tens of thousands of gifts to low-income Snohomish County families. (see Herald article).

Clean Air Superhero Oxy Gene Turns 10

October 23, 2009

To celebrate the superhero Oxy Gene turning 10, Community Transit is hosting a birthday party and everyone is invited. The party is scheduled for Oct. 31 (10 am-2pm in the McDonald's parking lot at 176th & Hwy 99 in Lynnwood). Oxy Gene doesn't want gifts for himself so everyone is asked to bring a new, unwrapped present that will be distributed by Christmas House. "The good people of Snohomish County are very generous and I know they want to help their neighbors!" boomed the chiseled 6-foot-2 superhero. "Just as I help stop pollution, everyone can help to make the holidays a little brighter for our fellow citizens by bringing a toy for Christmas House." Put on a costume (it's Halloween!), bring a new toy, and come join the fun!

Judd & Black Golf Tourney Benefits Christmas House

August 23, 2009

Christmas House board members accepted a $10,000 check from Bob Long at the conclusion of the Judd & Black’s annual charity golf tournament held at Battle Creek Golf Course in Marysville on August 23. Pictured below (L to R): Bob Long, Larry Lark, Charlotte Wood, Jane Jacobson, Pam Sorenson, Rick Kvangnes, Silvia Bauman, and Sylvia May.

Motorcycle Club Donates $2,000 to Christmas House

May 30, 2009

Saturday, May 30 was a beautiful day for a motorcycle ride. Eighty-five bikes were registered in the annual "Blue Crew Fun Run" and participants enjoyed a 120-mile ride from the Smokey Point Cycle Barn to Everett Powersports on Everett Mall Way. Riders stopped at checkpoints along the way to collect numbers for a chance at winning prizes donated by area businesses. The annual event was organized and sponsored by the Gold Wing Touring Association, Chapter C, "Evergreen Wings." During the closing ceremonies, club representative Gerri Atkinson presented Pam Sorenson, Christmas House Vice-President, with a $2,000 donation. Many of the club's members also volunteer in December to help when the Christmas House "store" is open to shoppers.

photo of event photo of donation

EverTrust Foundation Makes Generous Donation

May 2009

EverTrust Foundation recently donated a generous $15,000 to Christmas House to support the non-profit’s warm outerwear program.

Last year Christmas House provided gifts and clothing to over 9,500 children and more than 3,300 families from 21 different cities in Snohomish County. These numbers reflect a 14% increase over 2007.

More than 650 volunteers logged more than 8,000 hours to make this possible. Please contact Christmas House to make contributions, volunteer or gather more information.

Board Elects New Member

March 2009

Erik Azar was elected as a new Board member and joins the organization for a three-year term. Erik is an Occupation Software Development Manager with Vertafore, Inc.

Board Sets 2009 Schedule

February 2009

The Board of Directors established the December 2009 Christmas House schedule. There will be 18 shifts open to shoppers this coming season (there were 17 in 2008). A calendar is available on the "Volunteer" and "Receive Help" pages.

Board Elects Three New Members

February 2009

Kim Howard, Dawn Jones, and Jerry Thomas were elected as new Board members and each joins the organization for a three-year term. Kim is a community volunteer and served as a Board member a few years back. Dawn is a dispatcher for King County Metro and Jerry is a salesman for Crown Distributing.

News Archive

Christmas House - P.O. Box 717, Everett, WA 98206 - 425-338-2273