the Corn r
Inside
The EBC Story - from kitchen table start up, to helping 500 kids each week
Plus: The donors, volunteers, provider partners and other supporters who have made helping kids thrive possible
Giving kids what they need to thrive www.babycorner.org • 2015 Annual • 1
A letter from Executive Director, Renee Zimmerman It’s been twenty-five years since Karen Ridlon started collecting things for babies in her dining room. For the thousands of volunteers and contributors over the years, Eastside Baby Corner has been the center of community – a place to gather together to do good things for all our children. But we also recognize the mixed blessing we are: there is great joy and goodness in knowing how many kids have been helped over the years, but also great sadness that families continue to struggle to provide their children with the basics. We are glad we’ve been here because every day that EBC serves this community there are fewer kids going hungry, fewer babies without adequate diapers, fewer toddlers riding in cars without proper child seats, and fewer school-aged children going to school without supplies and clothing that fits. Karen. Mary. Margo. The Rowley family. For two and a half decades they haven’t wavered, giving their time and resources to ensure that EBC stays true to the mission of giving kids what they need to thrive. That is amazing dedication…but the list doesn’t stop with them! Our incredible volunteers fuel this organization and infuse the Hub with their joy in giving. The workshop crew, the diaper divas, Sue the Sock Lady, the toy team, Katie, the blanket lady, the intake crew…
the list is long, including both present and past volunteers. I can’t name them all here but, please, each of you take a bow for the beautiful part you’ve played in keeping this “Little Engine That Could” organization chugging along for 25 years. Even with all our good work—and that of our agency partners--the need has not diminished.* It’s grown larger. That’s why we are expanding our ability to serve MORE kids as we move into our next twenty-five years. You’ll read more in this issue about the ways you are helping us grow to serve more children and partners…merging Northshore Baby Corner into EBC, giving out more basics, fun and fundraising events, and adding capacity. Please feel free to stop by to see me or give me a call anytime you would like to find out more about how your support is changing lives and bringing hope to families. Thank you for all you do for kids and EBC.
Renee
*Between 2005 and 2010, the percentage of children under five years old living in poverty increased from 13.4 percent of the total population to 15.4 percent, or 3,092 additional young children living in households of poverty in King County. During the 2013-2014 school year in Washington State, school districts reported enrollment of over 32,494 homeless students, including 6,458 students in King County schools. (King County Youth Action Plan, Kids Count Data Center, Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction)
EBC welcomes new board members Eastside Baby Corner is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to the Board of Directors. Please join us in welcoming Andrew Symons and Jason Hizer. Andrew is a real estate and business attorney at Inslee Best Doezie & Ryder, P.S. He began his service by assisting with the Northshore Baby Corner merger. Jason is the Vice President - Corporate Controller at Washington Holdings. After serving on the financial committee for more than a year, Jason decided to become even more involved in EBC’s success.
Giving EBC a home since 1990
In this Issue 4 6 7 8 11 13 14
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The EBC story - 25 years of helping kids Rowley Properties - 25 years of support Giving the gift of sponsorship An EBC photo album - then & now Volunteering for 25 years Meet the kids we serve How YOU can help
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www.babycorner.org • 2015 Annual • 3 3
The Story of Eastside Baby Corner
From kitchen table start up to brimming distribution center - how nurse practitioner, Karen Ridlon’s vision for helping newborn babies grew into a beacon of hope for more than 500 kids every week.
Eastside Baby Corner founder, Karen Ridlon, is what you might call a child magnet, always has been. If there is a child in the same room as Karen, whether they know her or not, they are pulled to her as if by some unseen force. This magnetism has had a profound impact on Karen’s life. It has helped carve both her personal and professional path - from the decision to become a pediatric nurse practitioner to the determination to create EBC, an organization that is able to help more children than she, or any one person could help alone. Helping more kids is the goal Karen built into the soul of EBC, and it’s the aspiration that continues to drive the organization today. With a goal like that, it’s easy to understand the tremendous growth EBC has experienced since Karen created it 25 years ago. This is the EBC story.
Prior to starting EBC in 1990, Karen was working as a nurse practitioner. She was becoming increasingly disheartened by the number of new babies going home from the hospital without the clothing and gear they needed for a safe and happy start in life. Karen knew she had to bring about change. She saw an article about St. Joseph’s Baby Corner, a new organization started by Jeannie Jaybush that was working to get baby clothing and gear to families in need in Seattle. Karen decided to do the same thing in her own community - the Eastside. Karen gathered a group of volunteers and together they forged a plan. Without a home for the organization, they started working from Karen’s dining room table. She and her team put together research meetings with the organizations on the Eastside that would benefit from the services, they reached out to potential donors, and they sought professional help for necessary services like legal advice. Within a month Karen knew working from her kitchen table was not going to be sufficient. She contacted Skip Rowley of Rowley Properties, and asked for a
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storage unit. Rowley decide to donate a 12 by 30 foot unit, and by April of the same year, the unit was stocked with baby clothing and gear, and EBC was in operation. EBC was well received by the community, and it grew quickly. More and more service providers heard about EBC and wanted to be able to pick up for their families, more and more donors wanted to be able to pass on the items they no longer needed, and more and more volunteers wanted to give their time to make a difference in the community. Karen and her team, worked tirelessly to keep up with the growth. Thanks to the generosity of Rowley Properties, they expanded the operating space several times. They also grew the number of providers helped, expanded service to children up to 12 years old, and they grew the coverage area to include all of east King County – as well as portions of south Snohomish County. Twenty-five years since its beginning EBC is still growing. The Hub is more than 10,000 square feet of space that is busting at the seams with the generous donations of individuals and organizations who give thousands of items to EBC annually. One hundred and sixty nine programs in 51 agencies are able to order from EBC each week. Nearly 100 individuals give their time to EBC each week, with more than 80 people serving as core volunteers – coming in every week to do a specific job. Karen believes the successful growth of EBC can be contributed to two factors. First, the simple mission of helping children is one that is easy to support. Second, as Karen explains, EBC doesn’t belong to any one person, it belongs to the community, and the community is encouraged to have ownership of their role in its success. The core volunteers are the perfect example of this. They each have a designated role Continued on page 5
Karen Ridlon stands in front of one of the first storage units donated by Rowley Properties.
Helping more kids by joining forces with
Northshore Baby Corner Eastside Baby Corner is expanding, bringing Northshore Baby Corner (NSBC) into our EBC family! When NSBC invited us to consider the merger, we realized we couldn’t turn down this opportunity to reach more kids in need. Northshore Baby Corner modeled itself after EBC when it launched about eight years ago. Working out of Bothell United Methodist Church, the volunteers fill about 900 orders annually. With this merger, we’ll be able to provide a higher level of service for families in the north end of King County and south Snohomish County. Eastside Baby Corner – Northshore will have full access to the large supply of children’s items in the Hub, as well as our 25 years of experience and expertise in giving kids the essential items they need to grow and thrive. Your generous support is why we are able to grow, adding a satellite location to reach more children and partner agencies without diminishing our current service.
Top: EBC Executive Director Renee Zimmerman and Northshore Baby Corner Program Manager,Taryn Zier, at the NSBC facility at Bothell United Methodist Church. Left: Renee with EBC Board of Directors President, Kari Magill and Greg Field at the merger signing.
EBC Story continued which they feel empowered to shape as they see fit. Karen explains, EBC is like a family that includes everyone from the children who are helped, to the volunteers, to the donors, to the community itself. Everyone stands to lose if the children in our community are not given what they need to thrive, and everyone wins if they are. Karen illustrates the ‘we all win or we all lose’ concept best when she discusses what she calls the conservation of the human potential. She explains, “When children are not given what they need to thrive, it has an impact on their development. If they don’t have the books or developmental toys they need to learn, they can’t realize their full potential. Likewise, if they don’t have clothing to keep them warm or food in their bellies, or if they have to stay in a wet or dirty diaper, their bodies have to focus on survival rather than allowing their minds to develop. In this way, if children don’t have what they need to thrive,
they might not ever reach their full potential. This full potential might mean they are the one to cure cancer or they might be a musical phenom. We’ll never know if we don’t give them the chance.” For a quarter of a century, giving kids a chance to realize their full potential has been Karen’s, and EBC’s focus. Karen is sad that after 25 years there is still a need for an organization like EBC, but she takes comfort in the fact that because of EBC many, many children have been given a chance. As she looks to the future she is confident in EBC ability to continue making an impact. “As long as we hold true to our belief that EBC belongs to us all, and as long as we keep our focus on the children, we can and will continue to help even more kids have what they need to thrive.” If you are reading this, EBC belongs to you too. Find out what role you can play in changing the lives of OUR children by visiting EBC online at www. babycorner.org.
www.babycorner.org • 2015 Annual • 5
25 years of support from Rowley Properties - and the Rowley Family
So many people depend upon EBC, it just can’t fail. She accepted and has continued to serve on the board Rowley Properties had been giving a fledgling Eastside for 6.5 years, this year taking on the role of board Baby Corner a home for 17 years when in 2007, then president. She, Skip and Rowley Properties (under CEO, Skip Rowley came to the realization that EBC had Kari’s guidance) also contribute financially through become too important to the Eastside’s social service the Karen Ridlon Legacy Fund. Rowley Properties still network to fail. He, EBC founder Karen Ridlon and a gives EBC a home – one that is much larger than the planning committee began to talk about what needed 12X30’ unit Skip first donated in 1990. to be done to ensure the sustainability of this vital For Kari, supporting EBC both personally and through organization. From those talks emerged a strategic plan Rowley Properties is a simple choice. EBC’s mission that outlined a path forward that would allow EBC to of helping kids is, according to Kari, an easy cause to grow and continue serving kids for generations to come. feel passion around. Kari also values EBC because of Skip and Rowley Properties committed to playing a key what she calls ‘community building ’. “One of the things role in that effort. I love most about Eastside Baby Corner,” Kari says, Kari Magill, Skip’s daughter and current “ is that it brings all “Eastside Baby Corner CEO of Rowley Properties, joined of these people was growing and becoming the Rowley Properties team in together, many of 1992. For her, supporting EBC has strangers, a key part of the social service them always been a part of her Rowley on a regular network on the Eastside.” Properties experience. By the time basis. They get Kari joined the business, EBC, having to know each other, – Kari Magill grown tremendously, was already in the and they help the third donated unit. She fondly recalls Karen’s visits to community help themselves.” the Rowley Properties offices. “Karen was always very EBC’s home community of Issaquah, like EBC itself, is grateful,” she explains, “and really good about coming growing in bounds. As a developer, Rowley Properties into the office and letting us know what good these units is playing a significant role in that growth. Because of were doing.” Kari and the rest of the Rowley Properties Kari’s commitment to the EBC mission, her goal is to do team appreciated hearing the impact of their gift. everything possible to continue giving EBC a home in Over the years Kari’s involvement with EBC deepened. Issaquah, while also ensuring it can grow to help every Karen asked her to serve on the first full governing child possible have what they need to thrive – for many board – one of the results of the sustainability plan. years to come.
Above Left: Skip Rowley, Karen Ridlon and Kari Magill at a Karen Ridlon Legacy Fund event. Above Right: Fast Signs owner Scott Juetten, Renee Zimmerman, Karen Ridlon Legacy Fund Co-chair, Angela Kennedy and Kari Magill at the unveiling of a Rowley Properties tribute sign (partially donated by Fast Signs) at the EBC Hub.
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Giving the gift of
Sponsorship
Eastside Baby Corner hosts three events each year: Helping Kids Thrive Annual Luncheon, Pants Party and, new this year, the Diaper Derby. Events are a way for the community to come together to support the EBC mission of helping kids thrive. Each of the three EBC events has a specific focus. Helping Kids Thrive Annual Luncheon is our fundraising event. Each November the community is invited to gather for a meal while learning about the impact EBC is making in the community – thanks to the community’s support. We call Pants Party a ‘fun-raiser’ because it is all about having a great time while helping to collect enough pants, an item we have a hard time keeping in stock, to send kids back to school ready to learn. The Diaper Derby was born out of the growing need for diapers. In 2014 EBC gave out nearly 800,000 diapers. We received about half from our partnership with Huggies and the National Diaper Bank Network. The remainder came in from individual donations, drives and purchases made with funds raised at the luncheon. As the need for diapers continues to rise, this seemed the time for a new diaper-focused event. We decided on one where local businesses can compete in a race to collect the most diapers. These heartwarming, entertaining and exciting events would not be possible without the support of event sponsors. From the donation of funds to help pay for the venue, food or entertainment to the donation of services, event sponsors allow the funds raised at an event to go toward purchasing items for children, instead of to the cost of the event. Thank you to all of our event sponsors.
Top: AmericanWest bank has served as a Pants Party sponsor for the past two years. Left: Nathan Bossler and his company Impact Studio Pro support EBC by creating impact videos for the Helping Kids Thrive Annual Luncheon. Bottom: Representatives from Swedish attend the 2014 Helping Kids Thrive Annual Luncheon. Swedish is a Benefactor sponsor of the event.
*If your business or oganization is interested in sponsoring one of annual events in 2015, please contact Director of Development and Community Outreach, Helen Banks Routon, at 425-865-0234 ext. 701, or by email at helenr@babycorner.org. Continued on page 10
www.babycorner.org • 2015 Annual • 7
•Then & These photos from 1994 show the EBC Hub after four years in operation. At top Karen Ridlon helps a provider pick up her order. The middle row shows sorting, the toy section and the bins where clothing was stored. On the bottom row (from left) Karen and volunteer Sue Goss welcome then Mayor of Issaquah, Rowan Hinds. Karen in front of one of the original storage units donated by Rowley Properties.
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Now
Top row, left to right: The bin system we now use was created for a Girl Scout project by core volunteer Lauren Christian. Katie Milne helps a provider check out. Middle row: Volunteers are still helping sort donations that come in, only now the volume is significantly more. Sandi Dong is one of the volunteers in charge of toys. The EBC Hub now features an entire toy room. Bottom row: We still welcome local celebrities like Seattle Mariners announcer Rick Rizzs, whose nonprofit, Toys for Kids donated $5,000 in new toys. We still get excited about a new storage unit!
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Volunteering for
25
years
The volunteers at EBC are a very dedicated group. Each year about 3,000 volunteers contribute nearly 28,000 hours. A very special group of 80 volunteers, who we call our core volunteers, come to the Hub every week and take responsibility for a specific area of work. Many of the core volunteers have been with EBC for years, decades even. Three volunteers have been with EBC since the very beginning, 25 years! As we reach this quarter of a century milestone, we would like to thank Karen Ridlon, Mary Steele and Margo Shute for their extraordinary service. Karen is EBC’s founder. She currently serves as provider partner liaison and as Executive Director Emeritus. Mary has been in charge of baby food and formula for 25 years. She also helps with toys. Margo is now one of the diaper divas. She is responsible for diaper inventory and ordering. Each of these ladies is invaluable to the EBC mission.
Top, left to right: Karen Ridlon, Mary Steele and Margo Shute. Each of these ladies has been a volunteer at EBC for 25 years! At right, clockwise: From 1994, Margo Shute helps Kay Lehuns sort socks. Karen Ridlon gives a tour of the EBC Hub. Mary Steele organizes the formula.
Sponsorship continued
Thank you to these 2014 Helping Kids Thrive Annual Luncheon sponsors. Benefactor Sponsors: Swedish and Safeco Insurance
*Find the dates for this year’s EBC hosted events, as well as other community events EBC will be attending on page 15.
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How can you help kids in your community?
Donate Goods
Your donation of necessary children’s items like clothing, toys and books makes it possible for Eastside Baby Corner to give more than 500 kids a week all of the “stuff” they need to thrive. You can give back just by cleaning out your closet.
Donate Money
While much of what we give to the children we support comes from donations from the community, there are many items like diapers and formula that cannot be donated as used items – though they are absolutely essential. Other items like car seats and cribs are just not donated quickly enough to keep up with demand. With your financial contribution we are able to get these items into the hands of the families that need them.
Volunteer time
When you give your time at Eastside Baby Corner you might find yourself filling clothing bundles for school-age children, putting together layettes for new moms to take home from the hospital or helping us count and organize donations coming in from the local community. No matter how you spend your time, you will leave EBC knowing you made a difference.
www.babycorner.org • 2015 Annual • 11 Learn more at www.babycorner.org
1990
— The original board was: PresidentKaren Ridlon, Vice President- Margo Shute, SecretaryJudy Heasly, Treasurer-Donna Johnson. Most of the original board is in this photo that includes: Vee Fletcher, Judy Heasly, (EBC founder) Karen Ridlon, Susanne Unger, Mary Steele, Sue Goss, and Margo Shute
2008
— The first Governing Board created by the first strategic initiative in 2008. Front row, left to right: Kari Magill, Linda Benson, Executive Director and Executive Vice President Karen Ridlon, Doreen Booth, Valentina Zackrone. Middle row, left to right: Program/Volunteer Manager Christy Garrard, President Angela Kennedy, Vice President Edie Herb, Treasurer Karen Rubin, Liz Swanson and Secretary Claudia Malone. Back row, left to right: Dan Foster, Paul Dolan, Director of Development/Community Relations Helen Banks Routon, Jim Warrick
The Board of Directors
Then and Now
2015
— The current Board of Directors. Front row, left to right: Northshore Baby Corner representative Taryn Zier, Jason Shindler, Past President Liz Swanson, ED Emeritus, & Executive Vice President Karen Ridlon,Vice President Jennifer Lucas MSW, President Kari Magill, Secretary Meghan Altimore MSSW. Back row, left to right: Brian Daniels, Helen Christian, Rick Lessley, Andrew Symons, Colin Cagney and Jason Hizer. Not pictured: Treasurer Claudia Malone and Olivia Thurmond
Meet our provider partners and the families we, working together, help EBC supports 169 programs in 51 agencies. The providers at these agencies work directly with families in poverty and crisis to determine their needs. They order and pick items from EBC that will help them help the families succeed. Because we work with the providers and not the families, we don’t often get to meet the kids who are receiving stuff from EBC. Fortunately, the providers often send photos of the children – when it is appropriate to do so. The smiles captured in the images remind us of the importance of our mission, and grow our determination to do even more to help these kids and others just like them. Here are a few of the photos we have recently received. By helping EBC, you too have helped these incredible children.
“We are grateful for our partnership with these providers, and for the work they do to help local children. We are amazed by the resilience of these children. Growing up in poverty or crisis is not an easy thing, but their determination, and that of their families, is truly inspiring.”
Top: Provider Partner Grace Kuan and Aidan, 9 years old, with the laptop Aidan received from EBC. Middle row, left to right: A mom and baby who received a Big Bundle from EBC through Friends of Youth. Provider, Courtney Rayburn from Emerson High School in the Lake Washington School District . A family shows the clothes from their Big Bundles. At left: An EBC baby with a pacifier donated by local business and EBC supporter, Booginhead.
Have you read the Eastside Baby Coner e-Blog? Join us online at eastsidebabycorner.wordpress.com for stories about our clients, providers partners, volunteers and more.
2015 Events
Eastside Baby Corner hosts three events annually: Helping Kids Thrive Annual Luncheon, Pants Party and, new this year, Diaper Derby. We also attend several community outreach events. Events are a fun way to reconnect with the community and introduce new people to the EBC mission, all while helping kids. Mark your calendars now; we would love to see you out and about this year.
Diaper Derby May 11th to June 5th
The Diaper Derby is fun race among local business and organizations to collect diapers for children living in poverty or crisis. Not being able to afford enough diapers is a barrier to stability and self-sufficiency for parents. Without diapers – babies cannot participate in early childhood education. Without childcare – parents cannot go to work.
Pants Party September 12th
Pants Party is an event that is just as much about fun as it is about helping EBC make sure they have all the items needed to help send King County kids back to school prepared. For EBC that means with clothing as well as supplies. For more information about Pants Party contact Cori Benson at 425.865.0234, ext. 705.
Helping Kids Thrive Annual Luncheon November 6th
Helping Kids Thrive Annual Luncheon is EBC’s only annual fundraiser. Share the experience as the community comes together to support Eastside Baby Corner’s mission of helping children, families and agency partners. If you are interested in sponsoring Luncheon or serving as a table captain, please contact Helen at 425-865-0234 ext. 702 or by email at helenr@babycorner.org. *We are excited to announce this year’s Luncheon Chairs are Kim and Dan Foster!
Join us for these community-hosted events and activities GiveBIG ● May 5th - The Seattle Foundations one-day, online giving event ● https:// givebig.wordpress.com City of Bothell’s 4th of July Parade ● July 4th - Pancake breakfast, children’s and grand parade, live music, picnic and fireworks ● www.bothellblog.net Redmond Derby Days ● July 10th -11th - the outgrowth of a small town’s community spirit and is now the nation’s longest running bicycle race. ● www.redmondderbydays.com Celebrate Woodinville Summer Festival ● August 15 - an event to encourage a sense of community, and promote Woodinville’s unique character to visitors from the Puget Sound Region ● celebratewoodinville.com Issaquah Salmon Days Parade ● October 3rd - Four music stages, a carnival, dock dogs, hundreds of artist booths, 60 food booths, inflatables, a parade, and of course, spawning salmon ● www.salmondays.org Giving Tuesday ● December 1st - a global day dedicated to giving back ● www. givingtuesday.org
P.O. Box 712 Issaquah, WA 98027
Contact Us
The Hub 1510 NW Maple Street Issaquah, WA 98027 (425) 865-0234 ebc@babycorner.org
Drop-off Hours The Hub 1510 NW Maple Street Issaquah, WA 98027 Monday 5:30PM to 8:30PM Thursday 9:00AM to 11:00AM Saturday 9:00AM to 12:00PM
Issaquah Highlands Self Storage 910 NE High St. Issaquah, WA 98029 (425)295-2959 Monday - Sunday 9:30AM to 6:00PM
Marymoor Self Storage in Redmond 6065 E Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE Redmond, WA 98052 (425) 882-1111 Monday - Saturday 9:30AM to 6:00PM Sunday 9:30am to 5:00pm
Stay Connected
Visit us online at www.babycorner.org. Keep up to date with Eastside Baby Corner news and events by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter and Pinterest, or subscribing to our blog. Sign up for our social media tools, as well as our monthly E-News online.
Eastside Baby Corner makes a positive difference in the lives of children and families in need. We do this by collecting and purchasing children’s items and distributing them, free of charge, through local social service agencies. We give families help and hope.