COMMENTS

TOYS AT TWILIGHT

By: Kim Farnes December 17, 2009

Andy and Heather Creamer have lived in Orting most of their lives. In fact, Heather now lives in the same house she grew up in with her husband and two kids. "Orting is a place that is easy to call home", she told Karthryn Spader, CISO board member, and Kim and Kirsty Farnes, CISO Executive Director and community volunteers. They were all talking over hot coffee inside Heathers home on Saturday, December 12th while waiting for all of her "Santa helpers and elves" to deliver gifts to her home for Orting youth in need.

The idea, dubbed "Toys at Twilight", was only one of Andy's ideas to help Orting. Last year, for his birthday, he asked his friends and family to bring food to his home instead of birthday gifts to help the Orting food bank. They were able to collect hundreds of pounds of food through his efforts.

This year, knowing how many Orting families are struggling due to the economy, the family decided to do something to help at Christmas and "Toys at Twilight" was created!


All four family members are avid paintball players. They love the game so much that they have created a paintball field on their property so that they and their friends can play. Andy asked each of his friends to bring unwrapped gifts for Orting youth to their annual December paintball tournament and to his surprise, they came though in a huge way! At twilight, when the game had ended, they sat around the campfire and counted their treasures. They had collected enough toys to help 298 youth have a merrier Christmas!

"Our part was easy", said Heather, "we are so thankful for Communities in Schools of Orting, for the Orting School District teachers, counselors, and community volunteers who touch these children’s lives everyday. With out your contributions their cries for help would go unheard".

In partnership with CISO, the Orting School District and ECAP (Early Childhood Education Assistance Program), each donated gift has been lovingly wrapped, tagged and is on it's way to the children in Orting. As Margaret Mead once said, "never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has". Heather and Andy Creamer and their friends sure have changed their little corner of the world for 298 kids here in Orting, Washington. A huge thank you goes out to their group for that!

If you want to make a difference in the life of a child, there are many ways to contribute. You can donate items, funds or volunteer your time. Organizations, churches and schools in Orting are always looking for assistance. To find a local organization to help or, if you need assistance yourself, you can call CISO or you can also call 211 from any phone and reach United Way. United Way has a list of resources and phone numbers available to all who call. Resources are there for people who need them so if you do, please be sure to call!