The Readiness to Learn Foundation of Whidbey-Stanwood Camano this month received more than $6,000 from donations and a grant that will help fund a variety of its service programs geared toward vulnerable children and their families during the holiday season.

The funds are the result of a $5,000 grant from the Paul Glaser Foundation to support the local Families in Transition program and donations from US Bank in Langley and the South Whidbey Soroptimists. US Bank provided an unrestricted donation of $1,000 to assist area students and their families. South Whidbey Soroptimists donated $500 to help fund the upcoming Holiday House.

“We are deeply grateful to these organizations for their generous financial support of our various programs to maximize the potential of vulnerable children and families,” said Gail LaVassar, executive director of the Readiness to Learn Foundation.

“These important contributions come at a crucial time for the foundation. The need is great and the number of families and children seeking our services has increased compared to last year,” she said.

The nonprofit Readiness to Learn Foundation, which assisted 1,350 local children last year, sponsors a variety of support programs including the Back To School Project, Mother Mentors, Families in Transition, Single Mom’s Support Group and Holiday House, among others.

Foundation services are offered through the South Whidbey, Coupeville, Oak Harbor and Stanwood Camano school districts and are free of charge.