Lindsey Henderson, a teacher in the WSU Vancouver Childhood Development program, carried a handful of fresh wreaths to her car outside of the VDEN building on the evening of Nov. 27. The night was dedicated to general pick up for the program’s annual wreath and poinsettia fundraiser, in hopes of raising money for a new outdoor play structure on campus.
“Kids play a vital role on campus,” said Kathryn Austin, early childhood specialist in the Child Development program and organizer of this years fundraiser. Austin explained how the fundraiser is in it’s 12th year, adding that past fundraisers have helped supply new books, musical instruments and even a “mud station” for the on campus program.
Austin said the program holds other fundraisers throughout the year to supplement these additions to the center. With hopes of a new play structure, wreaths were sold for $20 and with various sizes of poinsettias, starting at $13, were ordered from local vendors in Cornelius and Gresham, Ore.
The holidays seemed so far away when the wreaths and poinsettias first went on sale in October, according to Austin. However the orders took three weeks and delivery took a month, and now it is December and people are starting to decorate for the holidays. Austin and Henderson directed the pick up on Thursday evening, with parents picking up not only their children but their new festive decor too.