Pay It Forward Stories 2020

Last year we partnered with Giving Backpacks so this year we did the same but a little different. Giving Backpacks joined with local restaurants to help feed the homeless. With all the closures of business's and restaurants struggling to stay open thru this Covid-19 were helped to support a local restaurant keeping employees working and feed 75 men from Truth Ministries.

My Pay It Forward card was given to my Aunt, Sharon Nichols who lives in Fargo, ND. Sharon has suffered from mental and physical disabilities her entire life. Together we purchased basic necessities for her apartment including a set of knives, laundry soap, toilet paper, a mattress pad and groceries to help her during the Covid-19 Pandemic. She greatly appreciated the donation. Thank you!

Counterpoint provides an array of services to adults with disabilities in Park County, Montana. We used the card to purchase personal protective equipment to ensure the safety and health of our staff and clients during the Covid-19 outbreak. The services we provide to our clients is essential so the purchase of the PPE was to. WE WANT TO SINCERELY THANK THE DENNIS AND PHYLLIS WASHINGTON FOUNDATION FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

A close family friend had his 2nd kidney transplant. He spent several months in a hospital in Washington State. I presented his family with the pay it forward card at a fundraiser for his medical costs. The family is so grateful for the Pay it Forward program. It brought tears to their eyes know that there are people in the world that have compassion for others.

A heart felt Thank you is given to the DPW Foundation!!!

During the Missoula Gives campaign we gave our pay it forward funds to Watson's Children's Shelter. $500 will feed a child in crisis for one month. Being new parents, it breaks our hearts to know a child has to go thru such trauma but we are grateful there are organizations like Watson's to assist. Thank you to the Foundation for the opportunity to give to a meaningful donation to a worthy organization.

Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation
2020 Pay It Forward Giving Card Program:
This year I chose a friend of mine, Cassie Jangula. The following is her self-description on Facebook: Abuse Survivor. Mother. Foster Mother. Daycare owner. Teacher. Friend. Opinionated.
I chose her because of the amazing things she does everyday for our Butte Community. She has 4 children and Foster’s 3 children. Two of the 3 Foster’s are in the process of being adopted by her and her husband. The children range in ages from 14 years to 3 months. She has two 7-year-olds and 2 infants. I have watched her the last 3 years and the Foster Children have come so far. They are developing their own personalities and confidence. Besides taking care of these children she has a day care and has substitute taught.
Cassie recently bought a new home so each child could have their own room. In the move she found some of the bunk beds didn’t fit and other items were needed. She used the gift card to purchase a loft bed, bedroom set, storage cubicles, laundry hampers for each room, new clothes for the babies, a toy box and a video baby monitor. Cassie is incredibly resourceful and I was amazed at how far she made the money go with each child receiving something needed.
Cassie works very hard to make ends meet and it was a pleasure to be able to give her some extra cash at a time she needed it most.
Thank you for your continued generosity and investing in the Butte communities.
Sincerely,
Amelinda Olson

Fred is a dear friend of mine. And works for Montana Rail link. He found out I was struggling with paying my bills. I hadn't worked since I found out I had breast cancer. I had a mastectomy in January. he surprised me with the giving card on my birthday. It came as a huge surprise. Need less to say it made me cry. It just shows that there are still good people in this world. I'm doing well and on my way to recovery. Thanks for having such a wonderful program.

The Grays Harbor County Fire District 2 was in need of an air quality monitor. The monitor provides the firefighters & EMS Personnel with information of DO NOT ENTER EXPLOSIONS MAY OCCUR or ENTER WEARING SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) due to low oxygen levels. These types of situations are common, for example, carbon monoxide from generators, barbecues or cars running in enclosed areas. Also, propane or natural gas leaks.
I am a volunteer with the Grays Harbor County Fire District 2 at the Brady station having 30 years of service and obtaining the rank of Lieutenant. I can state the need for this tool has never been greater.
Thank you Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation for the funds allowing us to purchase this monitor and save lives.

My daughter is part of a competitive cheer program. The program is a wonderful way for kids to learn team work, stay busy and build friendships with those they may not in school. The program has many kids who can not afford all of the expenses.

I donate my card to the organization to help those families who struggle with the expenses that incur for their child to maintain on a team. I feel it is so important for kids to be able to have a positive outlet and feel like they belong to something as they grow up. This program has provided that for my daughter so I like to help those who have a hard time financially.

I chose to give my card to a local veteran that is battling cancer. He has limited family, and lives on a fixed income.

I decided to buy 2 $250.00 gift cards for two struggling families in Carbon County were my familty and I reside. With everything going on in the country these past few months, there were 2 families in particular that I thought needed this assistance. It is such a great program and nice to be able to help families struggling in my community. They did ask to keep their last names anonymous. The pay it forward money was to be used for groceries and supplies. One family needed a tablet for one of their younger daughter as well. Thanks again for letting us be a part of this very giving program.

I am so grateful to receive this pay it forward Gift. I am choosing to pay it forward to the Race track volunteer fire department. I am choosing RTVFD for their dedication to the Butte community not only in emergency response but to the safety of children in the community with their fire safety trailer. Most of RTVFD‘s new equipment is provided by grants and some city supported tax dollars, but any funding after grants for the fire safety trailer and day-to-day operations and equipment replacement is funded through donations and fundraising which is all dependent on the already highly involved volunteers of this department. This department is very near and dear to my heart because my father Volunteered at RTVFD for over 30 years and still continues to help the department, I have also volunteered at Racetrack since I was 18 years old. I was so happy to receive the pay it forward this year it means so much to me! Thank you Dennis and Phyllis Washington for always thinking about our local community!

This year the charitable donation was given to a couple that lost both of there jobs due to covid-19. I was speaking to the couple on a trail while on a hike and I asked them how's it going. After a few words I found out that they had both been payed off due to the virus. So I reached into my wallet and gave them you card. And told them they have 500 to spend on what ever they would like.

My family and I would like to thank the Dennis & Phyllis Washington foundation for allowing us to participate in the 2020 Pay it forward program. We decided to pay it forward to Montana on a Mission (MOM). Montana on a Mission exists to encourage people to live out the love of Jesus Christ by coming alongside impoverished or marginalized people to improve their physical condition and ultimately impact their spiritual lives. Montana on a Mission (MOM) is a Christian charitable organization under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Sometimes disasters are small and localized to a family or community (fire or drought) and sometimes they are so widespread recovery seems impossible. In response to needs related to the Coronavirus pandemic, MOM is currently responding to some short term crisis needs. Here in Montana, some folks need a little extra help to get by this month until they get the green light to get back to work. Sometimes that means paying a utility bill, medical bill or a month of rent.
In Kenya and the Philippines, a widespread shutdown has rendered many of the most vulnerable people – widows, orphans, day workers without an income for the foreseeable future. MOM is responding with emergency food relief and handwashing supplies to keep families alive.
MONTANA ON A MISSION VALUES:
·God loves us and the proof of his love is Jesus Christ. MOM believes that each person ultimately finds their needs met in a relationship with Jesus Christ and we follow his model in caring for people by meeting physical needs and pointing out our need for a relationship with God through Jesus.
·MOM recognize that God’s leading is important and therefore they sustain this ministry with prayer.
·MOM recognizes that they are stewards and trustees of God’s resources and people’s trust so they strive to have the highest ethical standards in finances and relationships.
·MOM recognizes the importance of taking on projects that are sustainable over a long period of time. Therefore they will invest time, energy and resources into projects that are of the highest quality, reproducible and economically sound. MOM will also seek to implement ways of expanding and lengthening impact in the people and communities they invest in.
·MOM believes in coming alongside people to help them help themselves so they enter into partnerships which make this possible.
·Humility is one of MOM's most important values. MOM believes they are fellow learners, friends, and co-workers.
·MOM believes that the road to success means creating a model which can be used in other places. While no two situations are exactly alike, there are things that MOM believes are transferable and that there are models which can help them help more people.
As MOM plans and prepares for future mission trips, they believe it is important for each of them to keep these values in mind, particularly the first two because they lay the foundation for God’s work in us and through us.

The giving card was used for the charity One Community One Family

Our mission is to provide support at diagnosis to cancer patients in the Skagit Valley Community. We believe most people are not fully prepared for the overwhelming emotional and physical changes, as well as financial hardships, during this time. Our volunteers are dedicated to the long term success of this grant program through ongoing donations and fundraising efforts.

I am so thankful that I was chosen to part of the Dennis and & Phyllis Washington foundation pay it forward. I chose to give my card to Opportunity Resources. Opportunity resources is a local non-profit in Missoula Montana whose goal is the enhance the lives of people with disabilities and help keep communities inclusive. I worked at Opportunity Resources for 3 years and during that time I got know may of the clients who receive services. These clients are so thankful, excited and appreciative for even the smallest act of kindness. Opportunity Resources provides housing, employment, education and a real sense of belonging to the Missoula community. These funds will go a long way to help individuals with disabilities. I am so thankful to be part of such a great giving program.

Our 13 year old granddaughter, Rain, was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in February of this year, right as the COVID-19 crisis hit their area in Seattle. Our son was laid off due to the virus and because they are located at ground zero for the American part of the outbreak, they were forced to rent a second home to have Rain and her mother quarantined and next to the hospital while she is going through 25 weeks of chemotherapy and at least one 5 week round of radiation. Her major surgery to remove the nearly foot long tumor will be in the middle of June. They are using the funds to provide meals while in the hospital as they aren't covered by insurance for our daughter in law, and Rain has been too nauseated by the hospital food and needs outside meals brought in. They have two other kiddos at home with our son as well. We used the Pay It Forward program to help alleviate some of the difficulty that they are going through at this unstable and scary time of their lives. With the generosity of the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, we were able to take one less worry off the shoulders of a young family who is working hard to get through the most difficult time of their lives. Dean has worked on the shovel crew at MT Resources for many years and has been blessed to Pay It Forward to several families in need, and we can't be more grateful for the opportunity to extend it to our own beloved family. The picture included is of our beautiful granddaughter Rain right before treatment began.

I used my giving card to support 4 different organizations or groups of people.
American Childhood Cancer Organization Inland Northwest is one I will always give to for the rest of my life. I give a monthly donation and always an happy to donate more when I can. Their support for families with children diagnosed with cancer is unmatched. They supported my family after my 4 year old niece was diagnosed and continue to offer support even 7 years after Marleigh's death. I participated in a gift card fundraiser where I bought gift cards from local restaurants (Barnwood Social Kitchen & Tavern, Froyo) that will be given to these families previously mentioned. It was a great way to support our local businesses in need and also a wonderful organization helping families.
Support Your Local Everything is an organization that has started since the beginning of COVID-19 to help businesses in need in our area. We have had a number of permanent business closures but maybe some have been saved due to this organization.
The Great PNW is a clothing company that created a fund raiser to support service industry members in the NW who have disproportionately been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Black Lives Matter Global Network is an organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, we are winning immediate improvements in our lives.

The original intent was for the Potomac School 8th graders to use the PIF card on their 8th grade capstone trip to a marine biology institute on Catalina Island. The card would supplement the class' fundraising. But with the COVID-19 pandemic, the class was unable to go on their scheduled trip.

The Potomac School Board used the fundraising money to purchase a MacBook laptop for each 8th grader. We then used the PIF card to purchase MacBook covers and accessories for each 8th grader. Now every Potomac 8th grader is set for high school with a great laptop, cover and accessories.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to help the Potomac 8th grade class in a very unusual situation.

We used the pay it forward funds along with a personal donation to purchase car seats and clothing. We donated the items to our local Child and Family Services Division. Being Foster/Adoptive parents, we couldn't think of a more deserving organization that serves the children in our community. Thank you for this opportunity.

During this unprecedented time with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, I have chosen to donate tablets to a local school district to help elementary students access their school work. Schools around the world have had to cancel in-person learning and the attendance of classes due to the spread of the virus and to abide by social distancing protocol. Remote learning has continued online, however, the problem is not all students have an internet accessible device to use at home. With this donation students in need have received tablets so they can access their online classrooms and complete their assignments. During a time of such anxiety and uncertainty, I am thankful to have the opportunity to contribute to the schools and help make student learning possible.

We picked a local family here in Frenchtown that we know of, we don’t know them well but we have great respect for them…. They have 2 children, son 15 and daughter 14. The father served in the military and has some health issues related to that. Then 2 years ago the son was diagnosed with meningitis, and was airlifted to Seattle to undergo brain surgery. He spent a couple months over there recovering. Since then they have traveled back to Seattle numerous times for more surgeries. Since they have had a difficult time removing all of the infection from his skull and body. Then last fall, their daughter started to experience some medical issues that had her in the hospital too. It has been a stress full couple of years.
A big reason we choice this family was because of how humble they have remained. I thought it was beneficial for my children to see the process of paying it forward, and to help someone in our community we knew. A family that was humble and not asking for help when we knew there was need for help. A local family that had served our country.

We met a single dad in our neighborhood who had been struggling since he was laid off due to COVID. We gave him a $100 gift card to Walmart. I also was told about a single mom with 5 kids who a friend of mine delivered food to thru the the food bank. We anonymously dropped off a card to her with a $400 gift card to Walmart.

Both my husband and I have worked from home for the past 13 weeks due to COVID and its been very challenging. I can't imagine being a single-parent and having to figure out work and childcare all on your own. They are heroes!!

I donated my giving card to the River Valley Saddle Club. River Valley Saddle Club is a non-profit horse club that participates in O-Mok-See (games on horseback). A lot of the young riders don't have access to helmets and they are not required to be worn at our events. The gift card was used to purchase helmets and awards for a play day to promote the sport of O-Mok-See and safety. The club really appreciated the generosity of the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation.

Picking a person or entity to give the giving card to is always a difficult decision. There are so many worthy causes. This year I gave the card to the Jefferson Valley Community Foundation. They used the funds to help pay for several different projects like the reading program at the local Whitehall Library and equipment for the search and rescue.