SEQUIM — The season of giving was celebrated at Sequim High School during the annual Winter Wishes giveaway.
The event, held through the school’s leadership class on Dec. 15, gave out a wide range of items for those looking to support a friend, meet a need and/or help a local organization.
“We were able to give out over 400 wishes to SHS students, some of which were really impactful,” said Madelyn Pickens, Winter Wishes coordinator.
“One student received an HP laptop,” she said. “Two others received new tablets, and many students got new pairs of shoes.”
Pickens said a number of gift cards and certificates went out for food, drinks and retail items along with some uncommon requests such as a whole chocolate cake, a cucumber, a bottle of milk and 30 pounds of candy.
Sophomore Christina Jameson said she and her friends had an inside joke about the massive amount of candy and thought she might get a candy bar.
“I didn’t celebrate Halloween, so this makes up for it,” Jameson said.
One student wished for “doughnuts for everyone,” Pickens said, and as donations came in, the leadership students were able to buy 50 dozen doughnuts for students to enjoy.
Jelissa Julmist, a Winter Wishes team member, said in a video about the event that 40 percent of the wishes made were to support a child in need, so the leadership class donated about $500 to the Salvation Army for toys.
A few students also wanted to support local organizations, so the school’s Interact Club will help the leadership class coordinate donations, said Hannah Bates, another Winter Wishes team member.
More than $5,000, including many in-kind donations, was donated to the event, Pickens said.
“We want to thank all our local businesses, teachers, and clubs who helped make Winter Wishes happen,” she said.
Business sponsors included 7 Cedars, Air Flo Heating Company, All Safe Mini Storage, Evergreen Home Loans, First Federal, Home Depot, Jonathan Jack Insurance agency, The Lodge, McCrorie Carpet One, Northwest Security Services, Paradise Restaurant, Sequim Parents for Safe Schools, and many individuals.
Protocols for COVID-19 prevented an annual assembly for Winter Wishes, Pickens said, so leadership students recorded a video for the school to see with class competitions, including musical chairs and a race to put on frozen T-shirts. The donuts were revealed as the last wish granted after the video ended.
Along with Pickens, Bates and Julmist, Claire D’Amico helped organize the event.
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Matthew Nash is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach him at mnash@sequimgazette.com.
