EVERETT — Christmas House finally has a real home, at least for five years.
The Everett Boys &Girls Club has agreed to donate one of the north Everett club’s two gymnasiums for Christmas House to use for each of the next five holiday seasons.
The charity has provided gifts to low-income children every Christmas since 1981. Last year, the group gave presents to 6,692 children.
Each year, Christmas House volunteers search for a temporary location that is large enough to display the thousands of gifts that children select.
"Starting in the summer, we start driving around for buildings that have ‘for rent,’ ‘for lease’ or ‘for sale’ signs," said Mark Nysether, a fund-raiser and volunteer for Christmas House. "It’s a scramble every year."
Under the agreement, Christmas House will occupy the gym each year until 2008, from about mid-November until after Christmas.
Last year, the Everett Boys &Girls Club donated the use of its gym at 2316 12th St.
"It was by far the nicest facility we’ve ever been in," said Rick Kvangnes, president of Christmas House.
In addition, it’s in a north Everett neighborhood with many low-income children.
"We seem to serve the same types of families and children," Kvangnes said.
Charlie Cobb, the athletic administrator for the Boys &Girls Club of Snohomish County, said the organization was "very willing to give up that space because we have very similar goals and aspirations for kids in Snohomish County.
"We’re in the kid business, and Christmas House is certainly in the kid business."
Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@heraldnet.com.
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