VOA and Sultan Food Bank hold toy and food drive this weekend

Sultan is a small town, but it’s big on giving.

Last year, during the 15th Annual Dave Wood Giving Tree Program, donors provided Christmas gifts to 325 kids whose families were struggling during the holiday season.

This year, the Volunteers of America and the Sultan Food Bank, which are partnering on the annual gift drive, anticipate even more families going through lean times.

“This year, we’re expecting the need to be greater and we are hoping that the kind folks in the communities will be able to help some struggling children have a great Christmas,” said Volunteers of America’s Jennifer Reasoner.

So this weekend, they are holding a toy drive at the Monroe Rite Aid.

Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., volunteers will be on hand outside the store to collect food, toys and donations for the annual program.

Monetary donations can also be made at the Volunteers of America website at www.voaww.org.

The annual drive was a favorite project of former Sultan Volunteers of America Director Dave Wood, who until his death two years ago was involved in many charitable and philanthropic endeavors in the Sky Valley. He was in particular a champion of the Giving Tree Program, and upon his death the program was named for him.

For additional information on the VOA or the Dave Wood Giving Tree Program, contact Jennifer Reasoner at (360) 793-2400, ext. 14005 or jreasoner@voaww.org.