Extend-A-Hand donations helped this single mom through a difficult transition

The Bellingham Herald partners with Unity Care NW and Opportunity Council each winter to conduct the Extend-A-Hand fundraising drive, now in its fifth decade.

Unity Care NW uses Extend-a-Hand funds for prescription costs, vaccinations and other health-related items, while Opportunity Council, which administers the fund, helps families avoid eviction.

Bellingham Herald readers have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of the campaign over the years. The need continues to be great as inflation and other increasing costs have hit these organizations’ clients especially hard. Through Wednesday, donors had contributed $6,570 to this year’s campaign.

Past donations have helped families like these:

Elena watched her teenage son squeeze his feet into shoes he’d long outgrown. He tried not to complain, but she could see the way he walked gingerly down the street as the family moved from place to place. Ever since Elena had lost her job and their apartment, even the basics — like shoes her child could walk in — had to wait.

It was a relief when they settled into their new apartment, but between paying first and last month’s rent and the deposit, she had no idea how she was going to pay for groceries in their new place, let alone shoes for her son.

Thankfully, her community had her covered. With some help from Extend-A-Hand donors, she was able to stock the kitchen cupboards and buy her son shoes that fit. Now, he goes to school ready to learn — and run without wincing.

This year’s donors

The Bellingham Herald will publish a list of donors each week throughout the campaign. Anonymous donations also are accepted. This year’s donors include:

Susan Albert; G & B Anderson; Bomstad Heck Family Fund; Ed Brinson; Suzann Christie; Judy Coons; Carol and Tom Derleth; Varya Grace Fish; Bob Garbe; Quentin and Judith Gates; Esther Harris In Memory Of George Hunsby; Joan Hawley; Scott and L Amoret Heise; Mark and Joan Hottinger; Nick and Donna Jerns; Rosalee MacDonald in Memory of Dr. Mac; Maple Leaf; Chapter, Order of Eastern Star; Michael and Kerry Messer; In memory of Dana Gustafson; P.A. and R.L. Muehlhausen; George Mustoe; Bruce Radtke; Bill and Penny Roberts; In Memory of Rose and Joe Formichella; Shirley Family; Brian and Dana Smith; Jack and Sandie Starr; Bev and Jim Sturek; Terry and Joeen Daughters; The Hawkes Family Trust; Wynne Toba; Dennis Tso; Jeanne Uhles; John and Gail Wasilewski; Carl and Carol Weimer; John and Kathy Whitmer; Jon Wilkerson in memory of Daniel Wilkerson; Samantha Zee; Cheryl Zimmerman.

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.

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 13, 2025 at 5:15 AM with the headline "Extend-A-Hand donations helped this single mom through a difficult transition."