FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                          Contact: Tammy Kaufman, Media Consultant

         Organization: WAGAP

         Phone: (509) 637-3340

         Email: info@wagap.org

Tree of Joy expands in Klickitat, Skamania counties

Families to register by November 7, Donors by November 14

Bingen, Washington (October 8, 2025) - The Tree of Joy holiday program for low-income families in Klickitat and Skamania counties has grown over the past few years. Hosted by Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP), the event, which began in White Salmon, is now available throughout both counties through offices in Bingen, Stevenson, and Goldendale, as well as the WAGAP Food Bank Network, including the Mobile Food Bank.

“We are excited to have our teams in our various offices step up to serve families in their areas,” said Juan Reyes, WAGAP’s associate director. “They are doing outreach to find other families who could benefit from the program, sourcing more donors, and even shopping and wrapping gifts when donors prefer to send in cash contributions.”

This year, WAGAP is expanding its family registration to include those beyond its Food Bank Network. And Reyes laid out a list of qualifications to include children younger than 18 years old who live in Klickitat or Skamania County and receive at least one of the following services:

•    WAGAP services,

•    Free or reduced school lunch.

•    Apple Health Insurance, or

•    SNAP benefits

“What’s really important is that families must apply no later than November 7,” Reyes said. “Because we are expanding the program, we need time to collect and distribute wish lists and then receive the gifts and deliver them to families before December 23.”

Parents and guardians can register their children online at  https://forms.gle/KRRLezPFQnehtdo16 or complete a form at their local WAGAP office or Food Bank. The deadline to register is November 7. Applications will not be accepted after this date.

To make this program work, donors play a crucial role. WAGAP is encouraging businesses and individuals in Klickitat and Skamania counties to join the effort and adopt one or more children to fulfill their basic winter clothing and outerwear needs, as well as provide gifts based on the family's wish lists. Families anonymously provide the donors with the age, gender, clothing sizes, and individual wishes of their children.

400 children are expected to benefit from the 2025 Tree of Joy. Donors are asked to register by November 14 so they can receive wish lists before the Thanksgiving holiday and have a couple of weeks to shop. For donors who wish to participate but are limited in their capacity, financial contributions are welcome, and WAGAP staff will do the shopping and wrapping. 

Sponsors and Donors can register online at https://forms.gle/ggrXacwxWabc42dy8 or visit their local WAGAP office or Food Bank to get signed up. Financial donations are also accepted online through https://www.wagap.org/donate by clicking the “Use my gift to support” drop-down menu and selecting “Tree of Joy.” Additionally, financial donations can be mailed to Washington Gorge Action Programs, P.O. Box 805, Bingen, WA 98605, with 'Tree of Joy' noted in the memo line of the check.

“Because we have such a large geographic area to distribute gifts, we ask that all donor gifts be received this year by December 11 to allow time for purchasing, sorting, and distribution,” Reyes said. “We are excited to help brighten the lives of children in need during this holiday season with help from our community members, businesses, and organizations.” 

For questions about the Tree of Joy program, email area contacts at:

•    In Bingen/White Salmon and western Klickitat County, email patty@wagap.org,

•    In Goldendale, central and eastern Klickitat County, email kristi@wagap.org, and

•    In Stevenson and Skamania County, email brandee@wagap.org.

Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Action Agency that helps individuals, families, and communities. WAGAP addresses basic human needs, including food, shelter, energy assistance, and more, in Skamania and Klickitat Counties. For more than 50 years, WAGAP has helped people help themselves and reach self-sufficiency. Learn more at wagap.org, or contact WAGAP at (509) 493-2662 or info@wagap.org.