Extend-a-Hand funds shelter families, fills gaps in health care in Whatcom County
Your donation to The Bellingham Herald’s Extend-A-Hand charity makes a difference for people in our community, according to Sheri Burgler Emerson, associate director of the Opportunity Council, which administers the fund.
Community members donated $30,000 to Extend-a-Hand last holiday season, helping Whatcom County families avoid eviction and keep up with medications and care. We’re hoping you’ll give generously again this year.
The Bellingham Herald covers administrative costs up to $50,000 in donations, so gifts directly support people assisted at Unity Care NW and the Opportunity Council.
In 2019, the Opportunity Council used Extend-a-Hand funds to providing housing for 100 households. Funds paid for:
▪ Motel stays for families with children who were living outside or in their vehicle.
▪ Move-in costs for people who were experiencing homelessness.
▪ Eviction prevention assistance to keep families from losing their housing and becoming homeless.
Those helped included a family of six that was several months behind on rent and at risk of losing their housing. After a decrease in employment income, the family could no longer afford their unit and fell behind in rent. The family worked with a housing case manager at Opportunity Council and to find a more affordable unit to rent and, with support through Extend-a-Hand funding, received help with the costs needed to move into their new unit. The family is now thriving in its new home.
In another instance, a single dad with two children living in a vehicle came to Opportunity Council in need of housing assistance. Without any family or other support, the family had no other resources available to them. With help through Extend-a-Hand, the family received shelter through a motel stay until they could identify and move into a new home.
Unity Care Northwest used Extend-a-Hand funds to help 724 patients in 2019. Payments, which averaged just $15 per patient. Here are some of their stories:
▪ A 55-year-old man who had his insurance lapse was unable to afford his three inhalers for COPD treatment. He was able to use Extend-A-Hand funds for these prescriptions until his insurance was reinstated.
▪ A 11-year-old boy who had an acute stomach virus was unable to swallow capsules or tablets. He needed liquid medication, but one of the three medications prescribed was not covered in liquid form by his insurance. This put a financial strain on his parent, but Extend-A-Hand funds were able to be used to cover the cost for this crucial prescription.
Donations are tax-deductible, and donors through Jan. 2, 2020, will be recognized in The Herald. You can mail donations to Extend-a-Hand, c/o Opportunity Council, P.O. Box 2134, Bellingham, WA 98227, or drop off donations at the Opportunity Council, 1111 Cornwall Ave. Credit card donations are accepted; call Kaitlyn Miller at 360-734-5121, ext. 333, for information.
This story was originally published November 28, 2019 at 12:20 PM.
