The holiday season is upon us with amazing opportunities to give back to our community. This year, consider a business sponsorship or personal support of events around Lewis County that are sure to have long-lasting positive impact. I want to highlight some local organizations and events for your consideration.
Let me first thank Thorbeckes Athletic Performance and Althauser Rayan Abbarno for another Turkey Trot to benefit the Chehalis Foundation and Boys and Girls Club of Lewis County. Each year, hundreds of runners and walkers trot around Chehalis on Thanksgiving morning. The inaugural trot took place 126 years ago in my hometown of Buffalo, New York.
I am proud that this history and tradition continues here in Lewis County and benefits organizations that truly embrace the spirit of giving by making an impact in lives of families throughout Lewis County. Stay Tuned for the 2023 Turkey Trot!! To learn more and support Chehalis Foundation visit ChehalisFoundation.org and the Boys and Girls Club of Lewis County at BGChehalis.org.
In December, keep your eyes and ears open for Santa Claus coming to town. On December 3rd, you may have seen a certain Santa in Downtown Chehalis sharing his holiday cheer at the 72nd Annual Santa Parade. Thank you sponsors, including the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce, City of Chehalis, and the Great NorthWest Federal Credit Union for your support of the parade.
Santa will also be helping deliver presents for the Forgotten Children’s Fund on December 23rd. The Forgotten Children’s Fund is a volunteer organization that works to give deserving children and their families a truly Merry Christmas. With the support of community volunteers, they are able have Santa and his Elves deliver gifts every year to deserving children and families.
To learn more and support the Forgotten Children’s Fund, visit ForgottenChildrensFund.org.
If you haven’t heard, the Grinch stole the tracks to the Chehalis-Centralia Steam train. However, Santa Claus is not letting that stop him. Visit SteamTrainRide.com and learn more about how you can visit with Santa and have a merry Christmas on the train- even without the tracks.
On December 10, the Lighted Tractor Parade will be rolling through downtown Centralia. I will be announcing the parade from the KELA-KMNT Radio stage on the corner of West Magnolia and Tower Avenue. On the way to visiting us, be sure to visit all the amazing shops downtown.
Other great giving opportunities include:
- Centralia College Foundation – www.Centralia.edu/Foundation
- Chehalis Foundation – www.chehalisfoundation.org.
- Centralia Community Foundation – www.centraliacf.org.
- Centralia Historic Fox Theatre – www.CentraliaFoxTheatre.com.
- Miss Lewis County Scholarship Program – www.MissLewisCounty.com
- Dolly Parton Imagination Library and United Way of Lewis County — www.LewisCountyUW.com
- Hub City Mission – https://www.bethel-church.com/hcm/
There are a lot of amazing people and organizations giving back this holiday season. Please consider donating and/or sharing your time to help those in our community who maybe struggling this time of year. To learn more about opportunities and event during the holiday and all-year-long, consider visiting the Chamber at www.Chamberway.com.
Peter Abbarno is an attorney with Althauser Rayan Abbarno, LLP and represents the 20th Legislative District in the Washington State House of Representatives.
