University Community Shares Holiday Spirit with Western Farm Workers Association
For the 17th consecutive year, Pacific University students, faculty and staff have donated brand new toys for children of Washington Farm Workers Association members.
This year, 115 youngsters will receive one of many donated items, ranging from dolls, action figures, scooters, sporting equipment and more. The gifts were presented at the WFWA's annual holiday dinner on Saturday, Dec. 15.
The initiative has been a Pacific tradition since 1996 when it first began under the direction of university's wellness program coordinators.
Since 1999, student members of Nā Haumāna O Hawai‘i, have organized the toy drive. NHOH works with WFWA to identify the children who will receive the gifts. Each gift has a certificate attached with the receiving child's name on it.
On Monday, Dec. 10, student coordinators Desiree Dung, Meghan Chun and Kaily Tamaye, along with staff members Edna Gehring and Kimberly Garrett, helped WWFA operations manager Guillermo Magallon transport the toys to WWFA's Hillsboro location.
Based in Hillsboro, the WFWA is an association of farm workers and other low-paid workers and their family members. The WFWA program provides emergency food, clothing, preventive medical care, job referral, and more to those in need. The WFWA's goal is to eliminate the poverty conditions under which their members live and work.
