United Way of Weld County pays it forward

When we were going through the mail the other day, we found a package that was addressed simply to "United Way of Snohomish County." Much to our surprise when we opened it, we found cookies, candy, almonds, gum, bubbles, pretzels and popcorn. There were also dozens of handwritten notes.

It was a care package. For our staff from the staff of United Way of Weld County in Colorado.

As Jeannine Truswell, president and CEO of United Way of Weld County explained in an email, "A similar box was sent to us last fall as we faced the 2013 Colorado floods...We received a care package from the United Way in Oklahoma City. It meant so much to our staff. We decided we wanted to be a “pay it forward United Way."

It's not just Snohomish County helping the families and communities of Oso, Darrington and Arlington. It's not just the rest of Washington state coming to the aid of Snohomish County. There is support coming in from around the country, whether in the form of donations from all fifty states or care packages between related organizations.

The American Red Cross Snohomish County Chapter has had volunteers and staff come in from around the state and country to help support their efforts. Search and rescue crews, and firefighters have come in from other regions as well.

The care package we received is just one example but it points to a basic truth. We are all in this together.