Two Whidbey Island nonprofit groups have had remarkable success in raising funds to protect people from the coronavirus and help those struggling from the economic impacts of the pandemic.
WhidbeyHealth Foundation announced Monday that it has raised more than $325,000 for the COVID-19 Response Fund in just over a week. The funds are needed to “meet immediate needs that have arisen as case numbers climb,” the announcement states.
The foundation’s top priority is the safety of the hospital’s patients and staff. The funds are needed to purchase such critical items as masks, protective gowns, face shields and critical medical supplies and equipment.
Major donations came from Amerigroup, Island Thrift and individuals, including longtime donors and former residents Bob and June Sebo. Those interested in donating should go to www.whidbeyhealth.org/giving or call Helen Taylor at 626-234-7338.
In addition, the foundation received a donation from the Whidbey Community Foundation, which awarded the first grants of the COVID-19 Community Resilience fund last week. Nine nonprofit organizations were given a total of more than $40,000.
The grants are meant to support the most vulnerable populations on the island affected by the pandemic. In addition to the WhidbeyHealth Foundation, grants were awarded to Senior Services of Island County, Helping Hand of South Whidbey, The HUB Youth Central, Ryan’s House for Youth, Readiness to Learn, South Whidbey Good Cheer Food Bank, North Whidbey Help House, and Gifts from the Heart Food Bank.
“Funds will be used toward a variety of needs,” Whidbey Community Foundation stated in a press release, “including purchasing air purifying respirators for Whidbey Island’s only public-serving hospital, supporting increased demand at food banks, supporting seniors and coordinating the delivery of food to children and families who would otherwise receive free meals in school and at after-school programs.”
The COVID-19 Community Resilience Fund was started on March 18 with $25,000 seed funding designated by Whidbey Community Foundation’s board of directors. More than $100,000 has already been raised for the fund.
In the initial rounds of grants, Whidbey Community Foundation is prioritizing community-based organizations that are serving those who are immediately and disproportionately suffering from this crisis. The immediate focus areas include, but are not limited to, food insecurity, economic insecurity, housing insecurity, access to health care and prescription medications, costs related to mitigating virus transmissions, access to transportation and access to childcare.
In addition to grants, Whidbey Community Foundation has a list of resources for nonprofits impacted by coronavirus which will be regularly updated on its website.
• Those who want more information about the fund or would like to donate or apply should check out www.whidbeyfoundation.org or call at 360-660-5041.
