Closing the Fund, Updated Analysis

With more than $1 million available to help families and individuals continue the rebuilding and recovery process over the next two years, we are closing the United Way Disaster Recovery Fund for Mudslide Relief.

We are working with North Counties’ Family Services, the Arlington Family Resource Project and the Salvation Army to ensure that highly regarded and effective Disaster Case Managers will be in a position to provide support to the people directly impacted by the mudslide.

Over 12,000 individuals, nearly 100 corporate and foundation partners and 120 fundraisers and benefits have made it possible for us to be a long-term presence in these communities. Thank you for your generosity.

We have also updated our analysis of how the donations were distributed.

Click here for the updated analysis.

Memorial Playground Dedicated in Memory of Hunter and Wyatt Ruthven

In a touching ceremony this morning, Karen and Tom Psonka dedicated a memorial playground at Northwest Children's School in memory of Hunter and Wyatt Ruthven, two of the younger victims of the SR 530 Mudslide.

A significant portion of the funds for the playground came from money that was donated to United Way's Disaster Recovery Fund. Although the swing set was part of the original playground, the bench and centerpiece of the playground featuring a slide and fort are new.

In her remarks, Karen (second from right) specifically mentioned how much she appreciated working with Christie Connors of the Arlington Family Resource Project on this and a scholarship for her daughter Katie at the University of Washington. Here she is pictured with her husband Tom, Christie and Dennis G. Smith, president and CEO of United Way of Snohomish County.

Hunter was 6 and Wyatt was 4. Hunter and already graduated from Northwest Children's School but Wyatt was enrolled there when the slide hit. The slide also claimed his mother Katie, her husband Shane and Shane's parents.

How SR 530 Mudslide donations were distributed

On the five month anniversary of the SR 530 Mudslide, United Way of Snohomish County and Cascade Valley Hospital Foundation have released a detailed report on how disaster recovery donations have been distributed.

Of the $4.54 million received by United Way and Cascade Valley Hospital Foundation, just over half - $2.3 million - has already been distributed. Most of it has been given to, or has been set aside to go to, families and individuals impacted by the mudslide.

The balance has helped first responders, addressed economic development needs, supported youth programs and paid for disaster case managers who are working directly with families directly impacted by the mudslide to help them rebuild their lives.

Read more.

Chinese American community in Seattle contributes $50,000 to relief efforts

Yesterday evening, at the inauguration dinner party for board members of the Seattle Chapter of the Shantou Chamber of Commerce and the Teo Chew Mutual Association of Washington State held at the House of Hong Restaurant in the International Disrict, checks for $31,000 was presented to our Disaster Recovery Fund.

The largest of these checks was for $20,000 from Mr. Gordon Tang, who was inaugurated as the Honorary Chairman of the Shantou Chamber of Commerce and the Teo Chew Mutual Association of Washington State. Additional gifts were received from Tho Tien Tan, Linh Tuyet Tan-tu, and T&T Seafood Restaurant

The checks were presented to Terry Ryan, Snohomish County Councilman District 4, Snohomish County Executive John Lovick and Dr. Dennis Smith, president and CEO of United Way of Snohomish County.

Earlier this month, the Lee family and other members of the Chinese American community donated $12,728 to our Recovery Fund and $3,900 to Cascade Valley Hospital Foundation, bringing the total raised by the Chinese American community to almost $50,000.

KOMO News covered this earlier event on April 8th in Hing Hay Park. Click here for the video.

$10,000 to support youth sports in Darrington

In addition to making sure that people are getting emergency cash allotments and supporting the local economy, we are also looking at community's long-term recovery. 

To support that, on Sunday, we presented $10,000 to the Darrington Recreation & Education Foundation to support youth sports in Darrington.

United Way and Department of Commerce join together to offer $300K to Hampton Mill in Darrington

The Hampton Mill in Darrington is central to the local economy. Truckers have been having to drive the long way around because of the 530 slide, dramatically increasing fuel costs. In a partnership between the Washington State Department of Commerce and United Way, $300,000 is being given to help defray those increased costs.

The joint announcement yesterday featured remarks from our president and CEO, Dennis Smith; Governor Jay Inslee, Rep. Suzan DelBene, Tim Johnson, plant manager for Hampton Mill and Brian Bonlender, director of the Washington State Department of Commerce.

Click the following links for more information and news coverage:

Joint News Release with Governor Inslee

KING 5 | KIRO 7 | KOMO 4 | Puget Sound Business Journal | Seattle Times | Herald Business Journal

Good news for #530slide local econ recovery: @WAStateCommerce & @unitedwaysnoco give $300K to Darrington lumber mill http://t.co/qjluxy27Xk
— Governor Inslee (@GovInslee) April 25, 2014

Another $400K for families affected by 530 landslide

On the eve of President Barack Obama's visit, we're distributing another $400K to the Arlington Family Resource Project and North Counties' Family Services and  to help families in Oso and Darrington with immediate needs.

We had previously distributed $400,000 to these groups on April 2 and April 4. Individuals and families in these communities have already received $382,718 in emergency cash allotments, gas cards and other support. Each group is receiving an additional $200,000.

This brings the total distributed so far to $925,000.

Read more.

$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.

$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."

Sign up to receive info on volunteer needs in Oso

What an incredible response by people wanting to help! We are working in partnership with the Department of Emergency Management to help manage the individual volunteers who have been moved to come up to the landslide area to help volunteer.

The call center has been flooded with phone calls.  That's why we've set up an online form for people interested in volunteering.

We don't have any opportunities at the moment, but when we do, someone will get back to you.

The best thing you can do is go online and get your name on the list for future volunteers. (United Way is managing this effort in partnership with the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management.)

• Filling out the online form is best.
• Sending an email is the next best thing you can do (but remember, someone is going to have to enter your name and information into a spreadsheet).
• Emergency Management is accepting phone calls, but the phone lines are often busy.

$225K going to Arlington on Friday

As a follow up to yesterday’s presentation of $225,000 to the North Counties’ Family Support Center in Darrington, we will be presenting another $225,000 to the Arlington Family Resource Project, a new program of the Community Resources Foundation. $200,000 will be used to help with immediate recovery needs and $25,000 will be used to help the Arlington Family Resource Project with start up costs.

United Way plans to distribute up to $525,000 this week to families and communities affected by Oso landslide: $1.32 Million already collected for Disaster Recovery Fund

We are distributing up to $525,000 this week to support the families and community service organizations affected by the disaster. This is just a part of the $1.32 million that has come into the Recovery Fund so far.

Specifically, $400,000 will go directly to families for immediate recovery needs such as temporary housing, child care, food, gas cards, commuting costs and support for local volunteer responders. We are working through the local family support centers in these communities to get these funds into the hands of the affected families.

$200,000 will be handled by North Counties’ Family Services (formerly the Darrington Family Support Center) for approximately 200 families from Darrington whose lives have been severely disrupted by the mudslide. The remaining $200,000 will go to an Arlington-based family support center, which will be housed at the Arlington Food Bank for the approximately 40 Oso families who have lost their loved ones and their homes.

Up to $125,000 will go to directly support the community groups who are being called on to do so much during this difficult time. Of this $125,000, $25,000 will support North Counties’ Family Services so they can expand the work they are doing. $100,000* will support a new family support center in Arlington.

On Monday, we gave $3,000 to Green Cross, a community service organization, to support their disaster mental health work, and $3,000 to Catholic Community Services to provide gas cards to the community.

We will keep updating this blog and our website with information on where the money is coming from and where the money is going.

*Editor's Note: $25,000 is the initial amount needed by the Arlington Family Resource Project to cover start-up costs. United Way of Snohomish County will be ready to support them with an additional $75,000 if and when necessary.


Read more.

First Checks Go out the Door to Help People

It's just a start, but checks for $3,000 each are going out today to help people affected by the landslide in Oso, Washington.

Trauma specialists from Green Cross are doing great work helping people process what happened.

We're also working with Snohomish County and Catholic Community Community Services to get gas cards to people who need them through the Joint Resource Centers set up by the county in Arlington and Darrington.

United Way launches text to give option; users choose the amount they wish to donate

Text OSO to 37284 to donate any amount to United Way of Snohomish County.

Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to 37284 to STOP. Text HELP to 37284 for HELP.
Full Terms: singlepoint.com/oso

United Way closes week with $940K raised for the families, communities and community service agencies affected by the Oso landslide

As the week came to a close, the Disaster Recovery Fund had raised just under one million dollars. More than half of the $937,427.65 had been raised through the partnership with KOMO News ($477,265.65). Support from corporate and foundation partners brought in $354,170.00 and individual contributions through our website brought in $105,992.00.

The Boeing Company, JPMorgan Chase, The Starbucks Foundation, and Microsoft each contributed $50,000.

AT&T, Weyerhaeuser, Providence General Foundation,Nordstrom and United Way of Snohomish County's Endowment each contributed $25,000.

AAA Washington, Premera, and the KOMO News 4 Problem Solvers each contributed $10,000.

Comcast launches $50,000 in public service announcements in support of the Disaster Recovery Fund

Honored to help @unitedwaysnoco raise money for #530slide relief, details http://t.co/XMnwfui8a3 PSAs http://t.co/rNe11FXXH1
— WA Comcast Team (@ComcastWA) March 28, 2014

KOMO News launches on-air telethon in support of the Disaster Recovery Fund

Over the course of the day, with the phones ringing almost non-stop, KOMO News helped us raise approximately $433,000 in phone pledges and online donations for the Disaster Recovery Fund.

The phone lines are closed but you can still donate online by going to komonews.com/donate.

United Way launches Disaster Recovery Fund with $75K

From the release:

"One hundred percent of the money donated to this fund will go to recovery efforts."

In reflecting on the incredible work of volunteers and local agencies, [United Way CEO Dennis Smith] singled out American Red Cross. "The Red Cross and local agencies led by County Executive John Lovick and Snohomish County Emergency Management Director John Pennington have done a tremendous job in the relief effort. When the affected communities are ready to start moving toward recovery, we will be ready, too," he added.

United Way will work with local elected officials, community groups and others in Darrington, Oso and Arlington to distribute the funds.

We have set up a Disaster Recovery Fund for Mudslide Relief. Details/Online Giving: http://t.co/1kZZyrA82p #530slide pic.twitter.com/otViYtgPZx
— United Way Snohomish (@unitedwaysnoco) March 25, 2014

Our Recovery Fund starts with $25K from our endowment and $50K from @Chase. Details:http://t.co/1kZZyrA82p #530slide pic.twitter.com/4RmZtSylUO
— United Way Snohomish (@unitedwaysnoco) March 25, 2014

.@RedCrossSNOCO @snocounty @SnoCo_DEM and all the volunteers, other agencies have done a tremendous job in the relief effort.#530slide
— United Way Snohomish (@unitedwaysnoco) March 26, 2014