Dear Community,

It’s that time of year again! The Cherish Our Children Committee is eagerly reaching out to the community for donations for the upcoming auction on Dec. 6.

Each year, we host both a silent auction and a live auction. The Forks Abuse Program and Quileute Housing Authority have been the focal points for donations and the latter for bookkeeping. Volunteers manage the event and purchase gifts for the children.

Cherish Our Children was founded 18 years ago by Pat Soderlind and Sharon Penn, to give children in both Forks and La Push and the immediate area a chance for a better Christmas.

Last year for the first time, Cherish Our Children was held at the Forks Elks Lodge on Merchant Road. It was a great success raising just over $23,000. The committee was able to serve a total of 682 children because of the funds raised. We hope to continue to strengthen our partnership by alternating the venue between Forks and La Push.

This year, Cherish Our Children will once again be hosted at the Akalat Center in La Push. There will be dinner and homemade desserts and refreshments available for purchase, local vendors, and wonderful gift ideas for the family. Santa will also be there to take pictures with children.

Your generosity will allow our volunteer committee to buy holiday gifts for the children of both communities. It has always been and will continue to be a shared benefit.

If you would like to join the committee or have something to donate for the auction, contact Emily Foster in La Push at 360-640-9600 or emily.foster@quileutenation.org; we can arrange for pickup and storage until our event. Interested vendors may contact Rio Jaime at 360-640-9023 or events@quileutenation.org.

The Cherish Our Children Committee