Center News

Help fulfill needs

The cardboard cutout of Gary Gores is a familiar holiday reminder to give generously. In addition to Toys for Tots, drive organizers are collecting sweaters and non-perishable foods in designated boxes around campus. Photo by Stephanie Cartier

It's hard to miss the life-size cardboard cutout of Gary, the bearded employee who stands in lobbies around the Center, reminding people of the Center's toy drive. "We created big posters and barrels — they're pretty noticeable," said the real-life Gary Gores, coordinator of the Center's Toys for Tots drive.

The Toys for Tots collection, coordinated annually by Facilities Engineering, is one of several drives now under way at the Center. "We do it in honor of Col. Pete Peterson, a longtime volunteer with the Engineering Department. Pete was a great guy," Gores said. Those who would like to donate are asked to place new, unwrapped toys in barrels in the lobbies of Weintraub and Yale buildings and in the Arnold Building atrium. The barrels will be out until Dec. 20. "We generally get around 450-500 individual pieces," Gores said. "It's pretty exceptional; it makes for a lot of happy kids."

Center employees will also find a wardrobe box for a coat collection in the atrium of the Arnold Building. Coordinators are asking for new and gently used coats and warm clothing for underserved communities in Yakima Valley. Many of the coats will go to farm workers. "This year has been extraordinary," said Jennifer Hymer, co-coordinator and lead interventionist with the Cancer Prevention Program. "Our donation box is huge, and I empty it every day because it's full. The count that I've had has been around 175 coats, and that includes scarves, baby booties, sweaters and flannels."

The coats will be taken to a church near Yakima, where they will be distributed. "There will be people in line waiting for these coats before they're even set out on the tables. They're definitely in need, and they're definitely appreciative of the donations," Hymer said.

Friday, Dec. 8 is the last day to drop off coats in the Arnold atrium, but after that, donors should contact Hymer at jhymer@fhcrc.org or Ruby Godina, rgodina@fhcrc.org. "I'm from that area, so when I visit family, I can take things out and drop them off at a food bank to be distributed there," said Godina, drive co-ordinator and project coordinator with the Cancer Prevention Program.

The Center's annual food drive is also under way, and organizers are asking you to fill the boxes located around campus to help feed hungry families. "This year, our goal is to collect 2,000 pounds — literally, a ton of food," said coordinator Lynn Adams of Information Technology. Last year, Center employees brought in more than 1,500 pounds of non-perishable goods, so the goal is well within reach, Adams said.

"We've got boxes in new places this year; we've got a box out in front of the cafeteria in Weintraub and another in the atrium. We also have boxes in 1616 Eastlake, and Arnold and Yale," Adams said. "I've emptied the boxes, some of them twice, but all of them at least once." The total donation weight so far is approximately 1,300 pounds, but Adams is confident that more will be coming in.

The holiday food drive officially ends Dec. 15. However, boxes may stay in place into 2007.

All of the food goes to Northwest Harvest, which provides statewide hunger relief to millions every year, relying entirely on private donations. Nearly 300 independent food banks rely on donations provided by the Northwest Harvest network, and more than half of those served are children and the elderly.

"I really appreciate the people who drop off big bags of groceries. I'm always amazed at the generosity," Adams said. "The people at the Center give so much to the worthy cause of fighting cancer, and then they still have generosity left over to give to others. It's really great."

Holiday Drives

• Coat collection ends Dec. 8
• Food drive ends Dec. 15
• Toys for Tots ends Dec. 20

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