Spreading Joy and Giving Back: Winlock Giving Tree Event 2024 Recap
- Lindsay Giberson
- Dec 23, 2024
- 2 min read
This past weekend, our Winlock community came together in a truly magical way at the annual Winlock Giving Tree event, and I’m beyond honored to have been part of it again this year!
With a brand-new, updated backdrop, the Santa and Mrs. Claus photos this year turned out beautifully—thank you all for your kind words about the improvement! Watching so many families light up during their visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, played by our beloved Mike and Stephanie Fisher, was the highlight of the season. These two are truly town treasures, and their warmth and holiday spirit brought so much joy to every child (and parent!) who walked through the door.
The day was made even more special by the incredible teamwork and generosity of our community. The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office and Lewis County Fire District 15 in Winlock were on hand to help make the event extra memorable. Breakfast, which was lovingly prepared and served, was made possible thanks to the generous donation of food by Amy and Joel from Boss Hogg's BBQ—a huge thank you to them for their amazing support!
And what an incredible turnout! 65 kids had the chance to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy a delicious breakfast, and leave with gifts that brought smiles to their faces. One story that touched all of our hearts was about an 11-year-old girl whose house recently burned down. Thanks to the generous contributions of our community, she received all the essentials she needed, along with gifts to brighten her holiday season.
I also want to give a huge shoutout to Marissa Randt Williams, the powerhouse behind this event. She poured her heart into organizing every detail, from fundraising to shopping and wrapping the presents. Her dedication ensures that so many families in our community have a holiday season filled with hope and joy. Here’s what she said about the event:
"Yesterday was the most rewarding day for the year! We hosted breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Sheriff's Office, and Winlock Fire Dept! 🎁 We all came together as a team to help make these families feel thankful! 65 kids in total this year, including an 11-year-old girl whose house burnt down. We made sure she was taken care of with all the essentials that she may need each day. 💗 Thank you to every single one of you that helped donate, whether it was money, food, or gifts! Next year... We have a plan to host a Christmas Dinner with a movie! 🍿 🎄"
I am so proud to be part of this event year after year and to use my photography to help preserve these special memories. The photos from this year are available for free download. Feel free to download, print, and share them as much as you like.
To everyone who came out, donated, or simply shared in the joy of the day—thank you. Your kindness and support mean so much, and I can’t wait to see you all next year for what promises to be another magical event (with even more surprises in store!).
Happy Holidays,
Lindsay
Lindsay's Lens Photography