Othello Christmas basket program receives donation

OTHELLO — Othello’s Christmas basket project received a $2,000 donation Tuesday, part of the charitable program at the Legends Casino and Hotel in Toppenish.

The casino, owned by the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, provides donations each year to nonprofit organizations in the south-central Columbia Basin. For 2017 the “Yakima Cares” program awarded more than $440,000. Another $507,772 was donated to “benefit the law enforcement, fire and health care needs of the community,” according to a press release from the casino.

The Christmas Basket project will celebrate its 41st anniversary in 2017, and has grown to include almost the entire community of Othello. Schools, businesses, clubs, churches, and individuals raise money and conduct food drives, buy toys and gifts and whatever else might be needed by the recipients. Families are chosen by application, said organizer Merritt Johnson.

McFarland Junior High students hold a canned food drive. Othello Community Hospital, Othello City Hall, Columbia Basin Community Health, local fruit warehouses, local vegetable processors, downtown businesses, all have their yearly projects.

The Othello Fire Department donates space in the fire hall to store and sort the donations, and volunteers get together the weekend prior to Christmas to assemble and deliver the baskets. The fire department sponsors distribution day breakfast, then the work begins.

Donations are accepted throughout the year. Donation accounts have been set up at the Othello branches of Columbia Bank and U.S. Bank. People who want to donate can contact Merritt Johnson, 509-488-2471.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.