$366,696 helping Oso and Darrington families meet immediate needs

It's been two weeks since we gave North Counties' Family Services and the Arlington Family Resource Project a combined $400,000 to help families meet immediate needs.

The group in Darrington has in turn distributed $168,729.85 while the group in Arlington has distributed $197,966.15 to families affected by the landslide.

Most of the funds have been handed out in $5,000 emergency cash allotments. The rest of the money is helping with transportation costs, temporary housing and other needs.

In all, United Way has distributed $500,750 to date to support the recovery effort. In addition to the $400,000 referenced above, the total includes:

• $20,000 to help St. Vincent de Paul distribute "Houses in a Box",
• Up to $24,750 to send Darrington kids to Camp Killoqua,
• $25,000 to help launch the Arlington Resource Project,
• $25,000 to help North Counties' Family Services pay for a staff person to go from part time to full time,
• $3,000 to Green Cross to help with trauma counseling, and
• $3,000 to Catholic Community Services for gas cards.

Click here for details on the money raised for our Disaster and distributed by United Way in support of the recovery efforts.

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.

Fulani Association of Washington Letter

We received a very heartfelt letter from the Fulani Association of Washington last week.

Although we have been touched by the incredible generosity of people from around the country sometimes a particular letter or sentiment jumps out and gives you pause.


The Fulani Association of Washington, located in Seatac, WA would like to reach out to the residents of Oso, Darrington and Arlington with open hands and hearts.

Please accept our gift of one-thousand dollars as a form of comfort and aide during this most difficult time.

It is our request that this donation be utilized locally in these communities and spent where the need is greatest. We are assured that the United Way is the organization in the best position to meet this request.

The Fulani people of Africa have endured great hardships throughout our history and we hope that this donation will help provide relief to those affected by this tragedy in your beautiful communities.

We wish you the strength to heal and hope that you find peace in the days to come.