Each year, Republic Services employees help make the holidays merrier for children in need. Across its four-state Northwest Area, teams fill the wish lists of children in need and donate food, clothing and funds to those less fortunate in the communities we serve.

In Kenmore, more than half of the students who attend Kenmore Elementary receive reduced lunch rates and other resources for their families. At Christmas time, students write a letter to Santa or Papa Noel with their wish list. Each year, the school identifies about 100 students who have the highest needs, translates letters from Spanish to English, and gives them to Stacey Denuski, who coordinates the Secret Santa program at the school.

“Our elementary school has the highest free and reduced lunch rate in the Northshore School District,” Denuski said. “There is a huge need. We feel incredibly grateful for Republic Services to be able to help meet this need and make the holidays brighter for a lot of our Kenmore children.”

In addition to coordinating the Secret Santa program, Denuski is a flight test engineer at Boeing and a new member of the Kenmore City Council.

One year, a child requested a mattress so that they didn’t have to feel the rocks on the ground where they slept, she said.

Republic Services commits annually to make Christmas special for these students and their siblings. This year the Bellevue division, which services the city of Kenmore and the Northwest area team, filled the wish lists of 13 children. A total cash donation of $370 accompanied more than 75 gifts ranging from coloring sets and sweaters to games, toys and bicycles.

Within minutes of the division posting wishes on gift tags in the lunchroom, employees lined up to participate. They shopped for gifts and brought them back to the division, beautifully wrapped and labeled for delivery. More than 15 employees helped fill Denuski’s car with packages and bikes.

“Children are so literal and honest in these letters,” said Jeff Borgida, general manager for the Bellevue division. “They wrote about how they tried to be a great big brother all year long and how much they wanted a video game or a new pair of shoes. These kids touch our hearts. The highlight of our holiday is knowing that we can and did make a difference.”

“It is a true team effort,” Borgida said, noting how all levels of management, customer service and drivers participate. “Whether it is a Secret Santa mission, donating blankets and winter coats to shelters or the hours we volunteer in the communities we serve, Republic employees go above and beyond to help make it a happier holiday for those who need it most.”