United Way kicks off campaign with ambitious goal

Thanks to you, United Way is changing the way. Here's the latest information about how United Way and our partners are making a difference in the lives of kids, families and communities in Snohomish County.

United Way

From Dollars to Difference:
How your donation creates an impact

MEET JAKE

There's no mistaking the passion in 17-year-old Jake Welch. It extends to faith and family, care for his two brothers with disabilities and volunteer leadership for The Arc of Snohomish County - supported by United Way.

Jake volunteers for the Arc's Sibling Support program, which gives kids who have siblings with disabilities the opportunity for undivided time and attention.

"These kids often feel overlooked as parents attend to their sibling's special needs," Jake explained. "Sibshops help them get away for a day. Whether that means swimming or talking through their unique issues, it's all about them."

Oct. 1 Issues Forum to highlight election topics

The Young Leaders Society at United Way of Snohomish County invites you to a nonpartisan look at the big issues in the upcoming election - the economy, transportation, growth/development - and how they might affect Snohomish County.

Taking place from 6 to 8 p.m. at Everett Community College (2000 Tower St., Baker 120) this Wednesday, Oct. 1, the event is free to the public and light refreshments will be served.

To register, please contact John Rivera Greene at 425.374.5504 or by email at youngleaders@uwsc.org.

Spirit of Snohomish County winners honored at Sept. 10 breakfast event

More than 550 guests celebrated the spirit of LIVE UNITED at the 12th annual Spirit of Snohomish County Breakfast Sept. 10. Keynote speaker Robert Fulghum set the stage at the new Tulalip Resort Casino as guests learned the power of giving, advocating and volunteering. Congratulations to the following award winners; read their stories at uwsc.org.

Spirit of Snohomish County Youth Award - Megan Wilson
Spirit of Snohomish County Adult Award - Sarri Gilman
Spirit of Labor Award - Doug Scott, Laborers' Local 292
Community Partner Award - Campbell's StockPot
Reeves/Sievers Founders' Award - Robert Dickson

New Board Members

Patrick Byrne, Intermec
Jerry Goodwin, AMT, a Division of Senior Operations, Inc.
Liane Johnson, AT&T Mobility
Dennis L. Kendall, City of Marysville
Chuck Newby, Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Connie Pachek, Frontier Bank
Mike Tibbits, EvergreenBank
Roger Valentine, Comcast
Carlos Veliz, PCSI Design
Emily Yim, City of Lynnwood

United Way kicks off campaign with ambitious goal

Campaign Chair Buzz Rodland, president of Rodland Toyota/Scion, announced an ambitious goal of $7 million for United Way's Local Community Fund to support grants to 92 local programs, United Way initiatives and the ongoing mission of finding long-term solutions to problems to improve lives. Fundraising campaigns are already running at companies county-wide. To get involved, visit uwsc.org or call Penny Coyne at 425.374.5528.

Thanks 830 times for Days of Caring

That's how many community members gave their time and talent during this year's Days of Caring Sept. 12 and 13. Thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers and 54 supporting companies, people put "we" before "me" and, in the process, contributed 3,237 hours for a value of more than $63,000. Nonprofits throughout the county join United Way in saying thanks!

AMT, A Division of Senior Operations, Inc.

at Housing Hope Stanwood

Campaign Chair Buzz Rodland accepts a check for $25,000 from Campbell's StockPot - a corporate match of employee gifts in the recently completed campaign. Now that's mmm mmm good!

Welcome to the 2008 Campaign Executives

Ensign Michael Bautista, Loaned to the Combined Federal Campaign by USS Abraham Lincoln
Krista Cortez, Loaned by Frontier Bank
Lindsay Crow, Loaned by Rodland Toyota/Scion
Mike Daoust, Loaned to the Combined Federal Campaign by Everett Post Office
Colleen Duenas, Loaned to the Combined Federal Campaign by Ferndale Post Office
Amanda Dugan, Loaned by The Boeing Company
Cat McCabe, Loaned by The Boeing Company
Noelle Nelson, Loaned by The Boeing Company
Chief Long Nguyen, Loaned to the Combined Federal Campaign by U.S. Navy, Afloat Training Group, PACNORWEST
David Schwartz, Loaned by The Boeing Company
Diane Allvin Beach, Sponsored by The Boeing Company
Jessica Gaitan, Sponsored by Jamco America, Inc. and Premera Blue Cross
Audra Gravatt, Sponsored by Stevens Hospital
Joey Koncoski, Sponsored by The Everett Clinic
Lisa Philp, Sponsored by AMT, A Division of Senior Operations, Inc.
Lt. Michael Polito, Loaned to the Combined Federal Campaign by USS Abraham Lincoln
Karin Price, Sponsored by The Boeing Company
Ensign Christopher Richling, Loaned to the Combined Federal Campaign by U.S. Navy, Regional Support Organization, PACNORWEST
Wilfredo Rosado, Loaned to the Combined Federal Campaign by U.S. Customs & Border Protection
Mike Williams, Sponsored by The Boeing Company

Local "Rock n' Run" benefits United Way

180 participants laced up their running shoes Sept. 20 and took part in Comcast Arena's Rock n' Run 5K to celebrate their 5th anniversary. Thanks to all those who took part, more than $1,100 was raised to benefit United Way's Local Community Fund.

Photo by Stephen Brown

2008-2009 event sponsors

Platinum Sponsor
The Boeing Company

Presidential Sponsor
Rodland Toyota/Scion

Premier Sponsors
The Everett Clinic
Frontier Bank
Providence Regional Medical Center - Everett

Presenting Sponsors
Cascade Bank
Fluke

Media In-Kind Sponsors
Comcast
The Herald

Supporting Sponsors
Comcast Arena at Everett
United Parcel Service

Money Smart: Financial Education series begins October 23

United Way has partnered with Cascade Bank, CityBank and Frontier Bank to offer Money Smart, a series of classes teaching budgeting, credit, financial goal-setting and how to play smart in the financial world. Classes run every Thursday from Oct. 23 through Nov. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. Call 425.374.5506 for information.

Volunteers needed to help prepare taxes

If you have experience preparing your own tax return and are comfortable with computers, we need you! Your volunteer time once a week can literally put money back in the pockets of low-income working people to pay for food, rent and other basic needs. Volunteers will be certified by the IRS. Weekday, weeknight and weekend hours are available. Speakers of Spanish, Korean and Russian languages are especially needed. Contact Lark Kesterke, United Way financial stability manager at 425.374.5506 or lark.kesterke@uwsc.org.

New United Way staff members

Pam Somers, accounts payable specialist, comes to United Way with a background in banking and office management, most recently working for a Seattle-based tour company that specialized in trips for senior citizens. She resides in Lake Stevens.

Barbara Jones, donor relations manager, comes to United Way after a 30-year career in the retail and mortgage banking industry. She was a licensed instructor for the Louisiana Real Estate Commission and The Homebuilder Institute.

United Way staff moves and promotions

Lark Kesterke has been promoted to Financial Stability Manager, in charge of Individual Development Accounts, the free tax preparation project, and representing United Way on the Snohomish County Financial Asset Development Coalition.

Katrina Ondracek has been promoted to Director of Public Policy and Community Initiatives, leading public policy, early learning work and overseeing The Volunteer Center and Financial Stability Partnership.

Maya Hemachandra as Donor Relations Manager, Maya has changed her focus from workplace campaigns to working with major gifts, individual giving and planned giving.

We want to keep you in the loop!

Have you moved to a new work or home address? Make sure United Way continues to send the latest materials to your most current address. Please contact Laura Walker at 425.374.5518 or by email at laura.walker@uwsc.org with any changes or updates you may have.