By Alana Smith In 1984, the Eatonville Family Agency opened its doors to serve the communities of the Eatonville School District. Since that time, the EFA has been faithfully providing vital assistance programs to residents of the Eatonville, Elbe and Ashford communities. These services include food and clothing, school supplies and student weekend food assistance, rent and utility assistance, domestic violence assistance services, holiday food and toy distribution, state DSHS enrollment and senior-citizen activities. Over the past 30-plus years, the EFA has seen many changes. Client numbers continue to grow as grant and federal monies are reduced. Providing for our clients has always been our first and foremost priority, but just as a parent puts the needs of their child above their own, the EFA has often put the needs of the clients ahead of the needs of the agency. While programs grow to meet the increasing needs of our community, the cost of providing services for our clients also increases, and the agency now struggles to meet operating costs. It is critical that the EFA takes an active role in fund-raising to secure the future of the organization. We invite you to join us in our Aid the Agency campaign to raise $30,000 in 30 days to help EFA continue its work in our community. This ambitious campaign will help to ensure the EFA will be able to meet operating costs and continue to provide valuable services to our community members. Please consider making a donation in the month of May to support this exciting fund-raising effort. We are also looking to engage the community in fund raising activities on behalf of EFA. We encourage you to think of how you can help us help our clients. Whether it is a bake sale, a neighborhood collection, or a yard sale, we hope that you will be creative and join our Aid the Agency campaign. We ask that any events held on our behalf be announced to us in advance so that we can provide you with a letter explaining the need and validating your efforts. Please contact us at 360-832-6805. Be sure to take part in these exciting events and activities being held on behalf of the EFA: " Now through May 6: Purchase unique custom jewelry that you design yourself as a special keepsake from Origami Owl, and a portion of the proceeds go to EFA. Shop on-line at http://jernigan.origamiowl.com/ and enter jewelry bar code: 68090 " May 6, 13 and 20: Enjoy the taco bar at Puerto Vallarta Restaurant in Eatonville from 4 to 7 p.m., and a portion of the proceeds go to EFA. " May 9: Stop by Arrow Lumber in Eatonville from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a community barbecue with delicious Double T hot dogs. Donations will be accepted for lunch, and a portion of Arrow Lumber sales that day will be donated to EFA. " May 15: Stop by the Eatonville Community Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the EFA open house to see our great work in action and learn more about what we offer to our community. Light refreshments and agency tours will be provided. May 16: Neighborhood fund-raising challenge. Rally your neighborhood to try and outraise the other neighborhoods in Eatonville. Flyers will be distributed in various neighborhoods around town announcing the event in advance. Designated volunteers will go house-to-house on the 16th to collect donations. Neighborhood donations will be tallied and a winner will get bragging rights with an announcement on Facebook. " May 18: Get a pedicure between 12 and 5 p.m. at All About You Salon and all proceeds go to the EFA. " May 20: Mountain Physical Therapy will be hosting a coffee and bake sale beginning at 9 a.m. and going until supplies run out. Purchase delicious baked goods and locally roasted coffee, with all proceeds going to the EFA. " May 30: Join the Aid the Agency 5K Fun Run/Walk and 1K Kids Dash on the beautiful Bud Blancher Trail. Registration is $25 in advance, $35 day-of for the 5K and $15/$25 for the 1K kids dash. Shirts will be guaranteed for those registering by May 15. Register today at https://www.databarevents.com/aidtheagency5k " All month: Order a personalized wall sign from ME Blocks (available at https://www.facebook.com/pages/ME-Blocks/148231812008501) and all proceeds go to the EFA. " All month: Purchase a coffee card at the Gypsy Wagon Espresso stand in Eatonville for only $10 and proceeds go to the EFA. " All month. Purchase the coffee and donut special at Cottage Bakery in Eatonville and a portion of the proceeds will go to the EFA. " All month: Round up your purchase and donate your change at Kirk's Pharmacy. " All month: Round up your check and/or make a donation at Bruno's Restaurant in Eatonville. Bruno's will match up to $1,000 of all round-ups and donations made in May. " All month: Make a donation at Key Bank, or m ake a donation directly to the EFA on-line at www.eatonvillefamilyagency.com, in-person at 305 W. Center St. or mail to P.O. Box 1764, Eatonville, WA 98328. Watch our website and Facebook page for more activities and events to be added! We thank you for your support and for helping us continue to care for our great community.
Alana Smith is executive director of Eatonville Family Agency.
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