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D . C . Fly-In Brings Washington Employers to Meet with National Leaders
Holiday Kids ’ Tree Project Expands with Help of Local Chambers , Record Donations
AWB joined with local chambers of commerce and rural fire departments across Washington to help deliver toys and food to families in need for the 33rd annual Holiday Kids ’ Tree Project .
With the pandemic making a ceremony in the Capitol building uncertain , AWB ’ s Grassroots Alliance was asked to step in and help distribute the funds and toys that usually are given out during a tree-lighting ceremony .
Throughout December , local chambers of commerce delivered “ Santa kits ” to fire departments , which then distributed the food and toys to families in their communities .
The project involves 24 fire districts in Eastern and Western Washington . The districts are located in Adams , Asotin , Benton , Chelan , Grays Harbor , Jefferson , King , Kittitas , Lewis , Okanogan , Spokane , Walla Walla and Thurston counties .
More than a dozen AWB members and other employer advocates traveled to Washington , D . C ., in early December on the annual D . C . Fly-in .
They met face-to-face and via Zoom with nearly every member of Washington ’ s congressional delegation . AT & T hosted the events at the AT & T Forum .
Washington employers have donated more than $ 36,000 to this year ’ s effort , a record amount . The Holiday Kids ’ Tree Project was established in 1989 and has raised more than $ 500,000 .
Contact AWB ’ s Bonnie Millikan at BonnieM @ awb . org to donate or learn more .
Meetings also included time with top leaders from the Office of the U . S . Trade Representative and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission , as well as Jay Timmons , CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers .
In a sporting kickoff to the event , the Fly-in attendees enjoyed the Seattle Seahawks game versus the Washington Football Team .
The group also met U . K . ambassador Karen Pierce at the British Embassy to begin planning for AWB ’ s 2022 trade mission to the United Kingdom . Contact Amy Anderson , AWB government affairs director for federal issues , at 360.943.1600 to learn more .
AWB Membership Department Earns National Awards for Membership Growth
The Association of State Chamber Professionals has given AWB top honors for membership growth and retention . AWB received the award for greatest growth in total revenue for chambers in states with more than 6 million residents .
“ This is an all-hands award , not simply a Membership Department award ,” said Sean Heiner , AWB director of membership . “ Every department plays a role in enhancing our revenue at AWB , and this award is a testament to our success in sustaining our association so that it can support the employers of Washington .”
AWB received an honorable mention for greatest growth in non-dues revenue .
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