December 9, 2002
Contact: Kim Dawson (509-963-2111/fax 509-963-3206/e-mail: dawsonk@cwu.edu)
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Central Washington University provided gifts for
about 220 Kittitas County children through its annual holiday giving
program. The gifts are purchased and wrapped by CWU employees,
collected in the president’s office and then distributed to Head Start
and Children and Family Services.
Lisa Bugni at Head Start said parents are very excited when they pick
up the presents. This year for the first time the program included
infants to 3 year olds. Head Start has about 140 children enrolled at
locations in Ellensburg, Roslyn and Central Washington University’s
Michaelsen Hall.
“It is a neat thing,” Bugni said of the gift program. “Employees at
Central put a lot of time and thought into the gifts. Some put a
stuffed animal or toy or car on the outside of the package. It’s
really cute.”
Social workers deliver gifts for about 30 recipients at the Department
of Children and Family Services.
“The children are really appreciative,” Lynnette Hynden of Children
and Family Services said. “It’s also a bonus for our social workers,
because they are very happy to give the gifts.”
CWU President Jerilyn S. McIntyre said, “This is a wonderful
opportunity for us to share the bounty of the season with the children
of our community.”
