Stemilt Gives Back To Local Foster Children

WENATCHEE, Wash. – For the third consecutive year, Stemilt employees and growers joined together to give local children in foster care in central Washington gifts from their holiday wish list. Stemilt’s Community Investment Committee organized the effort that granted 159 children a gift. The children range in age from 0-18 and are under the care of one of two organizations – Washington State’s Division of Child & Family Services in Wenatchee or the Community Resource Group of Wenatchee/Yakima.

According to Courtney Mathison, chair of the Community Investment Committee, this charitable initiative is one that the Stemilt team looks forward to every year.

“Our generous employees and growers were thrilled to help put a smile on the faces of nearly 160 local children this holiday season. They went above and beyond to make their holidays bright,” said Mathison.

Owens Barrios, program manager for Community Resource Group, said the partnership with Stemilt to provide gifts to local kids in foster care continues to grow each year.

“We have more children in foster care in central Washington to support this year, and the continued generosity of the Stemilt team to provide each one with one of their holiday wishes is an incredible blessing for our two organizations. This is what the Christmas season is all about,” said Barrios.

Marie Scanlon, the Family to Family Program Consultant for Wenatchee’s Division of Children and Family Services added: “Our organization is so grateful to Stemilt for their support of our local kids in foster care. Their generosity helps provide a better Christmas experience for the kids and is a huge support to foster families.”

In addition to the gifts, Stemilt donated additional funds for prizes to give children during the annual foster care family holiday party. Several Stemilt employees volunteered their time to help run games and activities during the party, which was held at a local retirement facility on December 21.

About Stemilt

Stemilt Growers is a leading tree fruit growing, packing and shipping company based in Wenatchee, Washington. Owned and operated by the Mathison family, Stemilt is the leading shipper of sweet cherries and one of the nation’s largest suppliers of organic tree fruits. Stemilt has also demonstrated a commitment to sustainable agriculture and social responsibility since 1989, when founder Tom Mathison launched the company’s Responsible Choice program. For more information about Stemilt, visit www.stemilt.com and follow Stemilt on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and You Tube.

Source: Stemilt