Donation #7- United Way

Here at work the whole month of October is dedicated to The United Way. A time where our front end managers and supervisors line us up asking how much we're willing to donate. Twice I have escaped the line up only because I was either 1. Out on lunch, or 2. Off work. But finally I was able to have a sit down and chat with my at work mother Ceya about the United Way.

She explained to me about the donations we're doing and how it can directly effect that state of King County, WA. After our little heart to heart about donating either time or money to worthy causes, she asked me how much I was willing to donate.

A moment of panic set in. I was instantly confused, I had to immediately go over my finances in my head and prioritize. It was bouncing back and forth; 35, 50, no 40, no 75. In that brief minute of pulling mental money aside for rent, a new car and my numerous medical payments it dawned on me. It's not the end of the world. I'm lucky to be where I'm at, to have the support of my family, my friends and the man that I love. I'm lucky to work for my company, to have my job, and to have a company match half my donation. I thought about it further and with confidence proclaimed the amount to be pulled from my next check to be 50.

But then I figured, why stop there? This month in the name of good spirit and all the wonderful things that United Way does, I will donate another 100$ for their work in King County.

Why you may ask, why would you give more money to this group then to any other so far?

Well let me tell you a story.


In 2011 I was homeless for a brief period. When I first moved to Seattle all I had was my car, and it's contents. I relied upon the kindness of people I knew, and sometimes family until I found a couch to sleep on and an actual job. 2011 wasn't the smartest time for me, moved in with a guy dumped me and kicked me out a month later. I moved my things to my sisters garage. Lived on her couch for awhile, and then left for Seattle, thinking I'll make it. I slept in the back seat of my car, showered at peoples places and lived off the left overs of something cheap I bought in Chinatown. I don't condone being homeless, but it is one of the more humbling experiences in life.

The reason why I am willing to give more the United Way is because they do a lot.

The United Way of King County is looking to:

- End Homelessness.
- Meet people's basic needs.
- Give kids an equal chance. 
- Bolster human services.

Each of these services helps so many people.

One of the services that The United Way is looking to do is End Homelessness.

Supporting emergency shelters and long term homelessness to help combat Chronic Homelessness, a campaign that met with much success. Allowing United Way and its partners to open 1,800 units of housing, and gather in resources for years to come.

Helping families by investing in housing, child care and counseling services. United way has five principles for helping families avoid or recover from homelessness. Early intervention and prevention, coordination of support services, rapid re-housing, tailoring services to each family and assist in managing money and employment.

Assisting veterans in employment opportunities, with veterans making up 9% of the homeless population, and 1 in 10 without a job. By assisting veterans with permanent housing, United way can take the next step by assisting and partnering with employers to conduct job training and bring veterans back into the workforce.

Helping homeless youths, a population that makes up to roughly 20% of the homeless population of King County. Since homeless youths are at such high risk of drug, and alcohol addiction as well as victims of crime United Way is intensifying their focus on youth homelessness. With the help of several partners, United way is looking to help prevent homelessness by identifying at risk children and either surrounding the family with counseling support.

Helping identify critical gaps within the partners, to mobilize more money and help maintain resources for at risk children, this includes money and volunteers. As well as helping coordinate groups to ensure that each child gets what they need and that available housing and are used effectively.

These things are important for a family trying to escape abuse, or for a foster kid living alone on the streets. Or for a veteran unable to get a job, these services speak to all backgrounds regardless. Which is one of the reasons why I find United Way so important.

Another service that they have is meeting peoples basic needs.

The United Way is looking to end hunger in King county, a subject that I covered in a Previous Blog. They meet this need by providing summer meal programs to children through the One Million Meals  program.

The United way also helps set people up with basic needs like housing, assistance with utilities, setting up food stamps, childrens' health insurance, and job training. They also assist people with their yearly Tax Returns, ensuring those with disabilities, age, income or language barriers can secure their returns. These investments are are especially focused on on households with job loss, single-parent families, recently returned veterans and non-english speakers. This service alone has helped 12,000 people keep their homes with assistance in rent, utilities and mortgages.

The United Way also helps children in a multitude of ways. By improving child care, educating family, friends and neighbor caregivers. As well as providing training for child care providers who handle special needs children. They intervene early by assisting families with children that have developmental challenges, either physically or mentally. As well as intervening in cases of child abuse and neglect.

Finally the United way is looking to Bolster Human Services. This includes services like, youth programs that promote academic achievement and learning strong life skills. Providing support of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Committing services to older adults by providing meals, and assist caregivers. Bring accessible health care and substance abuse treatment to families and individuals. Creating job training programs for individuals, families and veterans looking to get back into the working world. As well as disaster preparation, allowing food and other resources to be available when natural and man-made disasters happen.

With the United Way 97 cents out of every dollar donated is used to help these programs. Programs that benefit everyone in the King County area.

If you wish to help the United Way, you can:

Volunteer (If you live in King County/ Seattle, WA)
Ways to Give in a multitude of ways.
Or, you can Donate.

Remember That you can donate to your own United Way in your county and area. Just in case you don't live in Seattle, or Washington.

For this group I am donating 50$ to The United Way of Skagit County, my original home, and to this day, still brings back some old, fond memories.

I will also be donating another 50$ for The United Way of King County, my new and current home. A home that has brought me much joy, and the greatest love in my life.

Because of my job also, I will be donating 50$ from my next paycheck to the UWKC, and the company will match half my donation. Putting this whole donating series to 175$ donated to both Skagit and King County residents. Two homes that have shaped me into the person that I am today.

With my admiration, Amanda.

Donation #6 - Health

I'm sick, not like sick of the world or anything. Just the usual sick, scratchy throat, a gravely sounding voice, the sudden urge for hot soup and tea. The kind of sick that says, "Oh awesome, it's fall. Time to slowly cash in my sick time."

Luckily for me, with the help of dayquil, nyquil, and netflix I should be better before I have another shift on carts, hopefully.

But for many in this country and around the world they aren't as lucky to have these things available, netflix and all.

But since the recent government shutdown in this country over the Affordable Healthcare Act, I feel like with universal healthcare we're finally coming out of the dark ages of health reform. But I'm going to avoid this subject now, out of fear of a sparked debate.

In 2009 around 45 million people in America alone were labeled as uninsured, while 25 million were considered as under insured. In this country as well around 700,000 Americans are forced into bankruptcy because of medical bills. I know a lot of people who have fought cancer and won. I know plenty of people who slipped a disc, twisted their ankle and were injured far more seriously and ended up with mountains of debt.

Hell, I'm one of those people.

I have kidney stones at the tender age of 24. Five of them to be exact, I have constant kidney infections that run 2 to 3 times a year. Some so bad I become hospitalized. I was bit in the face by a dog when I was three, I've fallen out of several trees. I fell off a ladder and twisted my ankle, I've sprained my wrist, cut my leg open, sliced my fingers to the bone and through it all I'm wading through medical bills. But I'm determined to pay them off, because I know that I'm lucky to have two types of insurance covering my butt.

Which is more than I can say for most people.

In 2004, 1 billion people lacked access to health care systems.
Over 7.5 million children die every year from malnutrition.
33.4 million people live with HIV.
2 million people die from AIDS.
1.7 million people die from TB.
36 million people die from noncommunicable diseases like cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Millions of people die every year from simple, vaccine treated diseases that aren't available in their country or their region. Which is why I feel that giving people a medical chance to improve their health is a fundamental human right.

The main group that I'm focusing on is Project HOPE.

Project HOPE, is a Virginia based group that helps people in over 120 countries get access to quality and sustainable healthcare. They help educate health professionals and community workers in strengthening health systems, and improving the health of women and children. They provide humanitarian assistance through donated medicines, supplies and volunteer medical help.

They provide a number of things, health system strengthening by training and mentoring community volunteers and health workers. As well as renovating health facilities and provide donations of pharmaceuticals and health equipment.

They provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as well. With the help of volunteer doctors and nurses that update the knowledge and skills of local providers as well as provide medical supplies.

They also cover infectious diseases, in providing treatments, research and awareness. Awareness and prevention of non-communicable diseases such as obesity and diabetes with mobile clinics, wellness programs and support in local clinics.

Project HOPE also women's and children's health. Teaching women and caregivers prenatal care, and to strengthen economically for women to facilitate paying for costs associated with health and well being of orphans and vulnerable children. They have also implemented 29 children survival projects since 1985. Which focuses on immunization, child nutrition and the treatment and prevention of pneumonia and diarrhea.


This group was first started by Dr. William B Walsh, and M.D. that served as a medical officer aboard a destroyer during WWII. When he saw poor health conditions in the South Pacific, health conditions that could've easily been remedied by simple medical knowledge.

In 1958 Dr. Walsh persuaded President Dwight D. Eisenhower to donate a U.S. Navy hospital ship the USS Consolation. With 150$ and lots of support the SS Hope came to light and Project HOPE was born.

In 1960 after two years of refitting the SS Hope set sail from San Francisco bound for Indonesia. The SS Hope completed 11 voyages to several countries before retiring in 1974. Although retired the spirit of the SS Hope lives on through Project HOPES partnership with the U.S. Navy.

Project HOPES mission:

Delivering health education, medicines, supplies and volunteers where needed.

Over the years Project HOPE has been known for their financial integrity and efficiency. More than 90% of money raised goes towards their health projects around the world. From administering vaccinations to raising awareness of cervical cancer. While less than 10% goes towards management and fundraising costs.

There are many ways you can help.

- You can Donate. Any amount you see fit.
- You can Give in other ways. Planned giving, stock, bequest.
-  You can Volunteer.
- You can Fundraise.
- Or you can Support a volunteer.

There are many things you can do when it comes to this group if interested. But for me, since I don't live in Virginia, a donation of 25$ is the best I can muster.

Which now leads me back to my great political debate that so many Americans are fighting about.

If I ended up being unemployed, over 26 and no longer covered by my insurance or my parents. I'd feel that I have the fundamental human right to have access to healthcare. Affordable healthcare, that I can turn up at an ER when I'm passing a kidney stone and can be covered. That if, heaven forbid I end up with kidney damage I will be able to get a transplant without fear of being turned down by my insurance company.

I want to have a chance to grow old, get married, have children, even grand children. Have a career in whatever I want, have a nice home, with wooden floors and a piano. Heaven forbid if I touch it. I want the advantage that healthcare can provide, for myself and someday for my family. I want all people to have a chance to have access to the healthcare that they deserve. I suppose in that sense I'm an idealist, or an optimist, thinking that health care is easy for everyone. But regardless, everyone has their opinions, whether you agree with me or not.

All I say is, is that we all deserve it.

With much hope for both our country and the rest of the world.

- Amanda.