MILLWOOD, Wash. – Hundreds of Christmas trees sold at Hutton Settlement during the nonprofit’s ’12 Days of Christmas Tree Farm Fundraiser & Market’ not only help local families decorate for the holiday, but support local children identified as needing extra support.
“Just being a forever family to these kids in need,” said Hutton Settlement Director of Community Engagement, Jessica Laughery. “We serve kids and residents from 6 to 18.”
Children like Scarlett Kinville, who can’t believe how much Hutton Settlement has taught her about the world, and about what she’s capable of.
She’s been working the farm since she moved to the area about 7 years ago and was struggling to support her family.
“It was a rough time,” Scarlett said, “I lost my mom when I was 6. I have five siblings and I helped raise them, me and my older sister.”
Scarlett said since joining Hutton Settlement and working the farm and its HOPE program, she’s gained confidence and new life skills.
“I participate in a lot of the programs, it helps us with learning,” Scarlett said. “I moved here and I was really scared of everything…and just recently I was able to go on a backpacking trip and learn what to do when you’re out in the wild.”
Hutton Settlement’s Educational Programs Director David Milliken said they recognize that there’s lessons that aren’t necessarily taught in schools, and that’s the focus on their farm as their kids are also participating in running the tree fundraiser and holiday market.
“We really center on helping develop attitudes, social and emotional intelligence and just workplace skills,” David said.
He added that children are either placed there by the state or private families in which there are some ‘family struggles and kids aren’t able to reside in the home.’
You can catch some of those kids lending a helping hand to the tree farm’s biggest fundraiser between now and Dec. 10.
“The kids do everything,” Hutton Settlement Director of Community Engagement Jessie Laughery said. “You’ll see them out sawing trees, they’re working the hut, cash registers…and they really take a lot of pride in being able to be out here engaging the community.”
Scarlett is one of the kids working inside the holiday market. Thanks to Hutton Settlement, she believes in a brighter future for herself.
“I want to own my bakery, I love baking,” Scarlett said. “That’s one thing I do is I serve pastries every Saturday. Seeing people’s feedback and having them react to my baked goods with so much joy and excitement really fills me up with joy and excitement.”
Jessie said everyone can help empower our youth and find a tree for themselves at Hutton Settlement.
“We have about 1,100 pre-cut trees and then we have our you-cut farm selection as well so a tree for everybody,” Jessie said. “We take no government funding…so we really depend on the community support at events like this.”
Jessie added that hundreds of people came out to Friday’s ’12 Days of Christmas Tree Farm Fundraiser & Market’ kickoff, despite freezing temperatures, which led to as many sales in the first three hours as they typically see in a full busy weekend day.
The greatest reward though? Watching their kids in action.
“These kids here at Hutton Settlement are hard-working, resilient, kind…they’re incredible kids,” David added.
The Hutton Settlement is located at 9907 East Wellesley Avenue in Spokane and can be contacted at 509-926-1027 or by visiting their website www.huttonsettlement.org.
