Encompass fires up giving campaign Holiday efforts include food drive, movie
Published 11:49 am Tuesday, November 11, 2008
How can you enjoy a first-run “date night” movie, get to know your neighbors and help Snoqualmie Valley families in need, all at the same time? Via the upcoming Encompass Respectful Giving campaign.
The campaign — which has operated successfully for 10 years and last year helped more than 130 Valley families — is kicking off with pre-Thanksgiving activities designed to be fun and bring out the generous spirit of the season.
Starting this week, residents from all over the Valley who have volunteered to be Neighborhood Challenge Captains will receive donations of food and gift cards at their homes, in a light-hearted competition to see which neighborhood can contribute the most for the campaign.
Customers who bring three cans of non-perishable food to the two local Emerald City Smoothie locations — at 113 Bendigo Blvd. N. in downtown North Bend and at 7726 Center Blvd. S.E. on Snoqualmie Ridge — will receive $1 off the price of a smoothie.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 18 and 19, Encompass staff and volunteers will receive individuals’ donations of food and gift cards at Meadowbrook Interpretive Center, 1711 Boalch Ave. N.W. in North Bend. The center will be open for donations from 4 to 8 p.m. Nov. 18 and from noon to 7 p.m. Nov. 19.
On Tuesday, Nov. 18, the PG-rated 2008 movie “The Secret Life of Bees,” starring Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson and Queen Latifah, will get a special showing at the North Bend Theatre, 125 West North Bend Way. Because admission is a donation of four cans of non-perishable food (or $10 cash), the screening is dubbed the “Cans Film Festival.” Child care will be available for $5 at the Encompass Main Campus during the movie. Childcare space is limited, so reservations are advised.
From Tuesday, Nov. 18 through Saturday, Nov. 22, volunteers are needed to sort and package items and prepare gift baskets at Meadowbrook. Those with strong muscles are especially encouraged to help on Nov. 22 to heft gift boxes. In past years, this work has drawn dozens of helpers from families, churches and Scout groups and provides an opportunity for children to learn first-hand about community service.
The campaign will continue full-bore Dec. 16 to 20, but Stacey Cepeda, community activities manager for Encompass, hopes for a vigorous November launch of this unique giving opportunity to benefit local families with children.
Contributions need to be non-perishable and can include traditional Thanksgiving food items as well as non-food extras such as napkins, decorations and flowers. In addition, gift cards can be purchased at grocery stores, gas stations and department stores. A complete list of suggestions can be viewed at the Encompass Web site. All donations are tax-deductible.
Neighborhoods with captains so far are Wood River, River Point, Si View, Forster Woods and Snoqualmie Ridge. Other neighborhoods need captains who want to join in the event.
For more information on the campaign, to volunteer to captain for your neighborhood, to help out at Meadowbrook, and to reserve childcare during the Nov. 18 film, call Cepeda at the Encompass office at (425) 888-2777 or visit www.encompassnw.org.
