The annual effort resulted in more donations to the YWCA than ever before, with sixteen local families benefitting from the joy-inspiring generosity of the PNWU community.
‘Twas two weeks before Christmas,
when all across campus,
our community gathered,
to again make a difference.
On Monday, December 12, a collection of PNWU employees gathered on campus to deliver over 300 donated gifts to the YWCA, Yakima County’s largest provider of domestic violence services.
As cars filled with gifts,
bound for others in need,
the power of partnership
once again gleamed.
“There will be families this holiday that smile a little brighter because of the generosity of the good people of PNWU,” said self-proclaimed “Santa’s Elf” Vicky Koch, executive assistant to the dean of PNWU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, who helps to lead the joyous effort annually.
Koch admits feeling nervous as this year’s donation push approached, fearing that campus participation would suffer due to rising costs and inflation. As her office filled with more donations than ever before, she found herself thinking: “This is the PNWU way.”
“Sixteen moms and thirty-eight children are having a wonderful holiday because of PNWU,” said Koch. “It makes me so proud to work here!”
As she helped to load the gifts into the cars to be delivered, PNWU Student Assessment Manager Cat McCulley was overwhelmed with similar feelings of merriness and PNWU pride.
“Even though things feel tough or heavy right now, we still came together as a university to make sure these families had a Christmas,” said McCulley. “To me, that speaks volumes.”
In addition to providing emergency and support services to survivors of domestic violence, the YWCA provides affordable housing for families who are homeless as a result of domestic violence. “At any given time, the organization has 100 women and children living in their Yakima facility,” explained YWCA Executive Director Cheri Kilty.
“At this holiday time, many children are worried they are forgotten,” Kilty explained. “The surprise and excitement on their faces seeing the gifts on Christmas morning will be priceless to know Santa didn’t forget them.”
“We are so grateful for the gift of joy you are bringing to our families through your donations,” Kilty added, speaking to everyone who participated in the effort. “Domestic violence is a community problem, and we all need to join together to help survivors break the cycle of violence. We are grateful to everyone at PNWU for our long partnership of supporting each other. Together, we make a big impact toward a healthier community.”