For the second year, the City of Happy Valley and event sponsor, Fred Meyer, will kick off the holiday season with a friendly shopping challenge. With the help of Clackamas Fire, Happy Valley Police, and North Clackamas School District (NCSD), the stage is set for a mad dash that will benefit two local service organizations.
On Nov. 16, a team of first responders and a team of Happy Valley school principals will have just five minutes to race through the Happy Valley Crossroads Fred Meyer, filling a cart with holiday dinner supplies like turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, and pumpkin pie. If it's served for Thanksgiving dinner, it's on the shopping list.
Once their time is up, the public will have 24 hours to bid on the contents of each cart on the City of Happy Valley's Facebook page.
This year, the team of first responders will donate the proceeds they raise to Operation Santa, a division of Clackamas Fire that works with the Clackamas Emergency Services Foundation during the holiday season to assist those in need in Clackamas County. Last year, Operation Santa collected 36,000 pounds of food, over 8,000 toys, helping over 500 families during the holidays.
The funds raised from the sale of the principals' cart will be donated to North Clackamas School District's Wichita Center, which brings together health and social services for the benefit of NCSD students and families. Throughout the year, the center provides a food pantry, clothes closet, hygiene products, backpacks and school supplies to families in need. The removal of these barriers helps to create an environment of equity and inclusiveness for each child in their formal education.
"Last year the event was a lot of fun, but more importantly, it brought attention to a great community organization. We look forward to this challenge benefiting two programs this year, reaching even more community members in need," said Steve Campbell, Happy Valley's Director of Community Services and Public Safety.
The only question that remains is whether the first responders will save the day, or if the principals will school the opposition.
About Happy Valley:
Happy Valley is a community of nearly 20,000 residents, located 15 miles southeast of Portland, OR. The city was founded in 1965 and continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in Oregon.