To the editor:

The generosity of the South Whidbey community this season ensured 558 local children and youth, experiencing financial hardship, woke up to gifts on Christmas morning.

Volunteers and financial contributors made Holiday House 2009 a great success. The Holiday House provides an opportunity for eligible parents to choose gifts in a festive store-like atmosphere for their children. Christian Life Center, St. Hubert Catholic Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, South Whidbey Kiwanis and South Whidbey Rotarians all coordinated teams of volunteers to help manage the store. Many parents who shopped for toys gave back to the project by volunteering their time to help the store run smoothly. Toys for Tots led a spectacular toy drive that yielded thousands of toys through collection boxes hosted by bighearted business owners.

The South Whidbey School District provided the facility for the store, which was decorated by Langley Middle School students. Throughout the month of December, students of all ages showed up daily after school to volunteer their time for tasks such as cleaning, pricing inventory and helping with anything that coordinator Lori Cavender requested.

Last, but not least, publicity provided by the South Whidbey Record improved the project’s visibility and added to our overall success.

Thanks to all, and happy holidays!

Gail LaVassar

Director

Readiness To Learn Foundation