$45K will help send Darrington kids to camp; replace household items

In a continuing effort to address the needs of families impacted by the SR530 flood and mudslide, United Way is partnering with two highly regarded local organizations. Up to $24,750 will help Camp Fire USA: Snohomish County Council send 50 children from Darrington to Camp Killoqua this summer. Another $20,000 will help North Sound Society of St. Vincent de Paul distribute full sets of new, pre-packaged household items to people who lost their homes in the March 22 landslide.

Read more.

Ben and Jerry's Free Cone Day scoops up $7500 for Recovery Fund

Ben and Jerry's Free Cone Day at Greenlake, Gig Harbor and Southcenter yesterday was a huge success. With help from volunteers from United Way, KOMO News, Nordstrom's Southcenter and the Gig Harbor Chamber they collected $7,511.90* for our Disaster Recovery Fund - the largest amount they have raised in seven years.

The Gig Harbor Chamber in particular stepped up. Local Gig Harbor businesses donated over $1,600 dollars for the mudslide relief efforts.

*The final tally was $8,211.90

Check out this report from KOMO.

Emergency Cash Allotments - $65,000 for 13 families distributed in Arlington

$65,000 in emergency cash allotments were distributed on Monday to 13 Oso families ($5,000 each) by the Arlington Family Resource Project - a program of the Community Resource Foundation - to help with immediate needs.

It was just few days earlier - on Friday - when we had delivered $225,000 to Mayor Barb Tolbert of Arlington to help launch the Project. ($200,000 is going directly to affected families and $25,000 is to help run the project for the next four months.)

The Arlington Family Resource Project is located at the new location of the Arlington Food Bank in the Arlington airport complex at 19118 63rd Ave NE. The phone number is 360.913.5412.

Op-ed in today's Everett Herald

Our Board Chair Andrew Ballard and Campaign Chair Jerry Goodwin have an op-ed in today's Everett Herald:

"$456,000 is just the start / Good stewardship of mudslide relief money is top priority for United Way"

A key point: "This is only the beginning. The whole community has come together to support our neighbors in Oso, Darrington and Arlington. Our Volunteer Center staff have seen first-hand the generosity and willingness of so many to get personally involved. We are privileged to be working hand in hand with such stellar organizations as the Red Cross, Cascade Valley Hospital Foundation, Greater Everett Community Foundation, Salvation Army and numerous other organizations.

Through a funders' partnership, we are ensuring a collective response to meet both short term and long-term needs. We are also relying on local decision-making to ensure these funds get to the families and community service organizations that need them the most. This collaborative group will continue to meet over the coming months to assure coordination of our efforts as the region begins the process of moving from responding to immediate needs to ensuring long-term recovery."