To the editor:

The annual Holiday House project, sponsored by the Island County Readiness to Learn Foundation in conjunction with Toys for Tots, is designed to bring the happiness of the holidays into the lives of children whose families are struggling financially and may not have the means to provide presents for their children during the winter holidays.

Holiday House is set up like a store, allowing families to shop for and wrap up those special things that their children want and need. Monetary contributions and gift donations are used to stock the store with popular toys and unique gifts that might be on a child’s “wish list” this year.

Volunteers and community partners from all over Whidbey Island donate their time and expertise to this project as well. We have had many volunteers the past few weeks, both young and old, helping to make this project a success.

Holiday House is open at South Whidbey Primary School through Dec. 18. Drop boxes for new, unwrapped gifts and monetary contributions are available in each community.

To make a monetary donation, please pick up a donation envelope at any toy collection box, or mail to us at The Family Resource Center, PO Box 346, Langley, WA 98260.

We also want to pass along to all of you a wonderful option this year for Holiday House. You can now order toys online and have them sent directly to Holiday House. You do not even have to get out of your pj’s. If you would like to donate a toy you can go to Amazon.com and type in SW Holiday House under wish lists or go to Target.com or Walmart.com and write “South Whidbey” in the blank for the first name and “Holiday House” in the space for the last name. This list will also work at the Target store and the Walmart store.

All toys purchased online will be sent directly to Holiday House, but this needs to be done soon so that toys will arrive on time, which will help make this a nicer Christmas for a needy child.

Thank you for your support

The Holiday House Staff