January 13, 2005
Throwing a party for 800 kids
More than 800 children who have been patients at Harborview Medical Center attended a holiday party on Dec. 11 with crafts, characters such as Frosty the Snowman, jugglers, face painting, snacks, gifts and visits from members of the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners.
Harborview has hosted the party for 25 years, but this year it was fully funded by generous community partners, who contributed nearly $40,000 in cash and in-kind gifts.
Children were invited to have their photos taken with the life-size characters and were able to create picture frames and holiday vests. More than 100 volunteers from Harborview’s Community Service League and staff, the Junior League of Seattle and Washington Mutual helped with the event. The children also received gift bags with toys and books donated primarily by the Seattle Mariners players and Ty Inc.
“The Children’s Holiday Party was an overwhelming success and one of our best events ever,” said Johnese Spisso, HMC chief operating officer.
