Extend-a-Hand helped a Whatcom County family avoid homelessness during a harsh winter
The Bellingham Herald’s Extend-a-Hand charity appeal, now in its fifth decade, partners with Unity Care NW and the Opportunity Council to help families like these:
Last winter, Whatcom County was blindsided by unusually harsh weather. Sidewalks and roads were caked with inches of snow and ice, and many residents were stranded at home.
The storm caused tremendous damage locally, including to a three-generation family’s home. Julia, a professional caregiver, her young son, Max, and her father, John, suddenly found themselves in a home that wasn’t safe and couldn’t keep out the winter wind.
Opportunity Council’s home improvement team worked hard to find some way to repair the home but found that there was no way to make it habitable. Suddenly the family had no home. Increasing rent and inflation meant Julia’s caregiver salary wasn’t going as far as it used to. Once again, they turned to Opportunity Council and discovered the Extend-a-Hand program.
Thanks to the Extend-A-Hand community, they were able to stay temporarily in hotel that was on both the city bus line and Max’s school bus route. With everything they’d gone through in losing their family home, they found solace in having a safe place to stay, working on John’s application for Social Security benefits, and working with the housing team to find an apartment they could afford and start over in.
They received short-term help paying rent and the initial deposit, and case management through Opportunity Council to support them as they continued rebuilding their lives. Max, who loves learning, now has a place to pore through his collection of books and magazines, and Julia rests easy knowing her family is safe and together.
How to help
We hope you’ll consider also giving to Extend-a-Hand to help local organizations make big differences in small ways for Whatcom County residents who need immediate help with housing and health care all year long.
For a limited time, donors can make an even greater impact by having their contributions matched. An anonymous donor via the Whatcom Community Foundation has pledged to double all donations made between Dec. 27 and Jan. 15, offering a unique opportunity to increase the reach and effectiveness of your support. Don’t miss out on this chance to maximize the value of your generosity.
The Herald covers administrative costs up to $50,000 in donations, so gifts directly support people assisted at Unity Care NW and the Opportunity Council. Donations are tax-deductible, and campaign donors will be recognized in The Herald.
▪ You can mail donation checks to Extend-a-Hand, c/o Opportunity Council, P.O. Box 2134, Bellingham, WA 98227.
▪ Donations are also accepted online via credit card or PayPal or by credit card at www.oppco.org/extend-a-hand, or by calling Katie Rose at 360-734-5121, ext. 1332.
This story was originally published December 31, 2023 at 12:00 AM.