EPHRATA — The Grant County Guardian Ad Litem program, which advocates for children in foster care, will be the beneficiary of this year’s Columbia Basin Foundation Festival of Trees, according to CBF Executive Director Corinne Isaak. 

“It's a time of year that people snuggle up in their homes with their loved ones,” Isaak said. “It's a lot of togetherness. And (for) children that have been separated from their family, it can feel painful, and it can feel lonely.” 

The foundation has eight trees it will raffle off to support the GAL program, Isaak said. The trees were donated by local businesses and agencies and decorated in various themes. 

“(There’s one) that has a Candy Land theme,” Isaak said. “And there’s another that’s candy canes. The (Ephrata School District) did a vintage tree that has a ton of pictures and old schoolhouse pictures and supplies. It's really cute. And then another one, a family did it in memory of their mom and dad, and it has glass ornaments that are really fancy.” 

Some of the trees come pre-stocked with gifts, like sports equipment and educational toys under the school district tree. Other trees are festooned with gift cards and certificates for getaway packages. All the trees are on display at the Columbia Basin Foundation office at 101 Basin St. NW in Ephrata for potential ticket buyers to check out. 

Tickets are $5 apiece or six for $25 and are available at the Columbia Basin Foundation office until 5 p.m. Dec. 12. There’s no limit to the number of tickets, Isaak added; as many people as want to are welcome to try their luck.  

“People can come in and buy their raffle tickets, and then they put their raffle tickets under the tree that they would like to win,” Isaak said. 

Winners will be drawn the evening of Dec. 12 and the trees will be available for pickup Dec. 16. 

Last year’s beneficiary was Helping Hands, and the Festival of Trees raised $7,000. 

“To raise $7,000 in a couple of weeks with all donated items is such a blessing for the programs that we're raising money for and the entities that need support,” Isaak said. 

The Guardian ad Litem program also has a fund established with the CBF to accept donations during the year, called the Columbia Basin For Our Children fund, Isaak said. 

The program is made up of volunteers who advocate for children who have been removed from their homes for whatever reason. A GAL keeps track of the child as they move from one placement to another and apprises the court of how the child is doing and if the child has any special needs to be met. The GALs act as the court’s eyes and ears, Program Administrator Teresa Crawford told the Columbia Basin Herald in an interview last year, and interact with the child so there’s a consistent adult in their life. 

“In children's lives, social workers (and) placements will change, but that one friendly face is always there,” Crawford said. 

Part of the money raised will pay for a party for the foster children the GAL program watches over, Isaak said. 

“It's a time to get them together and to be festive in a celebration atmosphere with gifts,” Isaak said. “It's a hard time of year to not have your family all together. This is their way of having some unity and having the children come for a healthy event.” 

The Guardian Ad Litem program is always looking for volunteers willing to be trained to advocate for children in foster care. Anyone interested is invited to call 509-754-5690. 

Tree donors 

ESD Teaching and Learning Department 

Edward Jones — Emma Isaak 

Tommer Construction  

Moberg Rathbone Kearns 

Windermere Real Estate 

Clear Risk 

Martin-Morris Agency 

Joan Sieverkropp 

    This wintry tree, almost too tall for the Columbia Basin Foundation office ceiling, was donated by Tommer Construction for the foundation’s Festival of Trees raffle. Proceeds benefit the Guardian ad Litem program.