2019 United Way of Skagit County

UnitedWaySkagit.org A supplement of the Skagit Valley Herald and Anacortes American

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Table of Contents Please Join Us

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Board of Directors & Staff

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Operating with the Highest Level of Integrity 5 First 1000 Days

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Bright Beginnings

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Welcome Baby

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2019 We’re Ready Celebration

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Financial People Project

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Children’s Council of Skagit County

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Business Case for Quality Early Childhood Development 15 Skagit Legacy

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Awards 17 Workplace Campaigns

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Corporate Donors

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Individual Donors

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Youth United Book Drive

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We’re Reading

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MyEClinic

Urgent Care

OPEN 7-DAYS A WEEK

VIRTUAL CLINIC. CONVENIENT CARE. Available 24/7

Video Chat or Call $40 Per Session Visit MyEClinic.org

NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY Monday to Friday:

7:30a - 7:30p

Weekends/Holidays: 8:00a - 4:00p (Closed Christmas Day)

MOUNT VERNON 1400 E. Kincaid St. Mount Vernon 360-428-6434 RIVERBEND 2320 Freeway Dr. Mount Vernon 360-814-6850

CHECK WAIT TIMES

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SkagitRegionalHealth.org

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Please Join Us

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ow do we address challenges in our lives?

Many times, people jump in to fix the immediate issue – and that helps in the short-term. But it doesn’t create sustainable change.

We know from experience - the best way to address challenges is to START AT THE BEGINNING.

Our Bold Goal: By 2025, all Skagit children entering kindergarten are ready to learn.

Research shows that every dollar we invest NOW into children’s social, emotional and physical health pays dividends of $7 to $13 PER CHILD each year of their life. Children raised in safe, nurturing environments have the best chance of succeeding in school and in life. Bringing tools, mentoring, and encouragement to parents of newborns and young children WILL make a difference in the lives of each family – and the entire Skagit community.

You can help. How? • Understand (or remember!) that Babies don’t come with Instructions!

• Encourage parents to reach out for the many services, play groups, classes, and tools that are available. o Links to all these great resources can be found at BrightBeginnings.com.

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• Talk to your employees, neighbors, and friends about the importance of quality early childhood experiences. We need a COMMUNITY to surround our children.

Achieving the goal of ALL children ready to learn will take action from ALL of us.

Please join us.

Deb Davis Bundy, Board President Debra Lancaster, Executive Director

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Board of Directors & Staff Board Officers President

Deb Davis Bundy Tulalip Resort Casino Early Learning Impact

Vice-President

Andrew Entrikin Port of Skagit Bill Aslett

Life Coach

City of Burlington

Board Members Connie Davis Skagit Regional Health Annie Di Meo KAPS/KBRC Radio

Ann Caldwell

Maureen Lama PROforma Creative Printing Solutions Will Reichardt Retired

Jennifer Johnson Skagit County

Yadira Rosales Skagit Valley College

Jennifer Larson Mount Vernon School District

Phil Brockman

Sedro-Woolley School District Governance Chair

Lief Johnson City of Burlington

Ken Johnson Banner Bank

Past President

US Bank

Campaign Cabinet Chair

Sue Krienen

Jeff Brown Burlington-Edison School District

Staff Treasurer

Kim Walley Peoples Bank

Debra Lancaster Executive Director Lynne Blanford Finance Manager Philip Prud’homme Resource Development Manager

Echo Arseneau Donor & Volunteer Coordinator Jen Lindbeck Early Learning Info & Resource Coordinator

George Welch Shell Puget Sound Refinery & USW 12-591 Shirley Yap Shell Puget Sound Refinery

Marie Erbstoeszer Retired Health Care Kari Ranten Planning Skagit Regional & Administration Health Lisa Janicki Skagit County

Board of Directors

(Bottom, L-R): Maureen Lama, Ken Johnson, Yadira Rosales, Kari Ranten, Kim Walley, Shirley Yap, Deb Davis Bundy, Lief Johnson, Sue Krienen, Jennifer Larson, Phil Brockman, Marie Erbstoeszer, Jeff Brown, Will Reichardt, Lisa Janicki, Bill Aslett, Andrew Entrikin, Ann Caldwell

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UnitedWaySkagit.org

Operating with the Highest Level of Integrity Uniting Skagit County to build a positive and sustainable quality of life.

Ethics We follow a locally adopted code of ethics for volunteers and staff that include provisions for management, publicity, fundraising practices, and full and fair disclosure.

Financial Accountability We undergo annual financial audits conducted by an independent certified public accountant whose examination complies with generally accepted auditing standards.

Diversity Governance We are led by an active, responsible, and voluntary Board of Directors to ensure effective governance over the policies and financial resources of the organization.

Public Reporting and Disclosure We file our IRS Form 990 in a timely manner and post it on our website for public disclosure.

We have adopted policies/ statements to ensure volunteers and staff broadly reflect the diversity of the community we serve.

Legal We comply with all applicable local, state, and federal operating and reporting requirements. We are tax-exempt under Section 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

United Way Worldwide Annually we are required to undergo an in-depth certification to United Way Worldwide on 11 different requirement areas.

Mount Vernon Schools www.mountvernonschools.org

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First 1000 Days

First 1000 Days

A child’s health begins even before birth – and is influenced both by parental well-being and by the child’s early environment and experiences.

A solid start in life shapes a child’s entire future…and thus directly shapes the future of our community!

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team of over 40 people from healthcare, childcare, schools, and businesses worked for almost a YEAR to develop a clear CALL TO ACTION to make sure ALL children born in Skagit County have a Bright Beginning. We know that children raised in stable, supportive families do better in school and grow into healthier, more productive adults.

• Social and economic conditions experienced in early childhood are the most powerful forces that shape adult health • Healthy brain growth in first years of life determines future learning, behavior and productivity • Hardships in early childhood can result in inequities that can become cyclical United Way stepped up to lead several of the Action Items outlined in the Call To Action.

The next few pages outline United Way’s BOLD STEPS to a brighter future for Skagit families.

Mount Vernon • Sedro-Woolley • Bellingham • Ferndale

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First 1000 Days is a proud partnership of Population Health Trust, the Children’s Council of Skagit County, and Skagit County Public Health.

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First 1000 Days Why does Kindergarten Readiness matter?

Call To Action!

BE INVOLVED – MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN CHILDREN’S LIVES

Please Join Us: 1. Expand capacity for: • Individual family support • A well-qualified early childhood workforce • Perinatal and infant behavioral health services • Coordinated referral services • Addressing disparity in communities 2. Share the importance of the First 1,000 Days 3. Support healthy relationships, reduce sources of stress and build and enhance core life skills for parents and caregivers 4. Continue the coordination and cooperation that led to this plan UnitedWaySkagit.org

15,400 square feet Hands-on Exhibits

Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Parties & Field Trips

Art Studio

School Break Camps

Reading Room

Family Resource Center

Preschool Program Memberships Special Events

Community Event Space

www.SkagitChildrensMuseum.net Monday-Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm Toddler Tuesday 8:30am-10:00am Sunday 12:00pm-5:00pm Closed some holidays

Congratulations to United Way of Skagit County on 55 years of excellent work!

Tel: 360.757.8888 Now located at

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A BRIGHT BEGINNING SETS THE STAGE FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

Imagine the most elite athlete, a talented musician, an artist, a successful business person...

child’s brain grows very quickly during the first 1,000 days of life (conception through about 2.5 years).

Practice.

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Scientists at Harvard have discovered that more than 1 million new neural connections are formed in our brains every second in the first few years of life.

Healthy brain growth is supported by safe, stable and nurturing environments and this results in a strong foundation for future learning, behavior and lifelong health.

This healthy development, however, can be easily interrupted by lack of responsive relationships, stress in the household, inadequate nutrition and other factors associated with unstable environments.

Creating a supportive community filled with equitable resources and systems of support for all families in the first 1,000 days is the best preventive medicine.

There is one thing that all of these individuals have in common.

Parenting is one of the most challenging and significant things a person can do. Some skills are innate, but most parenting skills are acquired through training and practice.

Bright Beginnings is a community-wide effort that focuses on the importance of the early years of development and the critical role of the caregiver.

Bright Beginnings is about awareness.

A recent parent survey indicates that many parents do not know where to look for resources or what resources are even available in our community. Parenting is hard enough all on its own. We want to make sure that finding and accessing resources is NOT HARD. And we want parents to feel empowered to ask for help, seek support, and utilize those resources.

Even the most elite athlete improves their skills through great coaching and practice.

For more information go to

SkagitBrightBeginnings.com

excerpt from First 1000 Days

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Welcome Baby History

W Skagit Valley College We proudly support early childhood education and educational opportunities for students of all ages.

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elcome Baby began in 1998 as an outreach program for new parents. Meredith Baker, Program Coordinator for Welcome Baby, visited parents at Skagit Valley Hospital after the birth of their child to provide encouragement and share information on attachment and literacy.

A primary touchstone of the program were the regular newsletters sent to parents that provided resources and information regarding milestones, general care, and tips for their newborn through age three.

When the recession hit in 2008, Welcome Baby was discontinued due to funding constraints. However, Welcome Baby is a legacy that remains in our community. United Way is committed to renewing the program – beginning at Skagit Valley Hospital this summer!!

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Welcome Baby begins anew as a partnership with Skagit Valley Hospital and United Way of Skagit County.

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he Welcome Baby coordinator is the bridge that connects parents to other services in our community, acting not just as a resource to parents but to health care providers as well.

RESOURCE REFERRAL

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To help parents thrive in their role as advocate, teacher, and nurturer, and address the difficulty in locating resources and kindergarten readiness, Welcome Baby provides services in two areas:

There is a wealth of resources in Skagit County and Welcome Baby points parents toward the resources that meet their needs. The coordinator provides referrals to service providers in the areas of health and wellness, family support, basic needs, child care and early learning, special needs, and recreational activities.

PARENT SUPPORT Welcome Baby supports parents through: • Regular e-newsletters that provide information and tips related to developmental milestones, skill building, and parenting advice; • Parenting groups and meet-ups;

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“Welcome Baby was a life-line for me, especially in the early days/ weeks/months with my new baby.

The information made available by Welcome Baby was timely, critically important, and was very accessible.

I anxiously awaited the Welcome Baby newsletters and read them from cover to cover.” ~ Jennifer Larson, Mount Vernon School District Financial Director

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• Facilitated play groups through partner programs.

“The program had such a unique way of weaving in practical parenting knowledge with social supports and resources to match with the stage you were currently in.” ~ Lyndie Case, Children’s Council Coordinator

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2019 We’re Ready Celebration - April 11, 2019 Title Sponsor

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t the annual We’re Ready Celebration, communityminded organizations from across Skagit County come together for the common good. New programs will be revealed that will provide tools

and encouragement to parents of young children. We will celebrate the success at workplace campaigns and recognize those who have stepped up to create positive lasting change in Skagit County. Join us!

Event Sponsors

Sedro-Woolley School District Continuing its focus on student learning, quality instruction, reading and math goals, student safety, promoting a climate of trust, and facility planning.

There are approximately 4,500 (preschool-12th grade) students being served on twelve school campuses.

The District covers 395 square miles, including the areas of Lyman, Samish, Clear Lake, and Big Lake.

801 Trail Rd., Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284 (360) 855-3500 Fax (360) 855-3574

1880512

‘‘Every student graduates with the knowledge and skills for future learning and success.’’

Table Sponsor

Congratulations United Way on 55 years!

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his amazing program continues to deliver a set of tools that enable people to gain financial control of their own lives. Financial PEOPLE - Peers Empowering Others by Providing Leadership and Education – was born of a vision by the Skagit Asset Building Coalition. That vision is to help lower-to middle-income people achieve upward economic mobility by gaining and leveraging assets to produce wealth. United

Classes offered at: Mount Vernon Goodwill Job Training & Education Center Mount Vernon School District (in English and Spanish) Skagit Habitat for Humanity Skagit/Island Head Start – Mount Vernon (in English and Spanish) Skagit Valley Young Lives

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Way took the lead in 2017 with financial and technical support from several financial institutions.

Rita Ordonez, owner of Birdsign Consulting, coordinates the program for United Way. Rita identifies and trains Peer Leaders who then facilitate financial education to groups recruited by local nonprofits.

Our Peer Leaders share a desire to: stabilize housing, create a relationship with a financial institution, develop savings -

for children, post-secondary education or retirement, reduce debt, and improve credit.

Thirty-three people graduated with an FPP Certificate in 2018, following the 22 from the previous year. Already in 2019, six NEW peer leaders join previous leaders with new classes in English and Spanish at Head Start. Yes – that’s right!

FPP is presented completely in Spanish in some sessions, with fluent peer leaders and financial presenters.

Presenters from:

Bank of the Pacific Banner Bank Birdsign Consulting Columbia Bank Key Bank North Coast Credit Union Opus Bank Primerica Skagit Bank US Bank Washington Federal

Funding Partners: BECU $ 15,000 United Way $ 15,000 Washington Federal $ 15,000 North Coast Credit Union $ 7,500 Opus Bank $ 2,500

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Values Respect & Integrity Equality & Equity Diversity & Inclusivity High Standards of Quality Connectivity & Partnerships Continuous Growth Curiosity, Creativity, & Playfulness

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hen we think of collaboration – the Children’s Council of Skagit County is a PREMIER example! Formed over 30 years ago, the coalition has really gained traction in the past few years….

due, in large part, to having a Coordinator, Lyndie Case.

The coalition aims to improve communication, collaboration and education around early childhood and supports

families, caregivers, and other stakeholders. The Children’s Council is the lead organization for Skagit County in the statewide Early Learning network, providing input and guidance to the new Department of Children, Youth & Families.

Lyndie Case

Children’s Council Coordinator

If you want to go fast – go alone.

If you want to go far – go together!

We plan to go far…and make a difference for generations!

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Business Case for Quality Early Childhood Development

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hy should business people care about high-quality child development programs?? Hmmm… maybe because businesses across the USA lose $3 billion in revenue due to employee absenteeism as the result of childcare “breakdowns.” That means money lost when employees have to arrive late, leave early, take extra days off because of childcare challenges. It’s happening right here in Skagit County, too.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Center for Education and Workforce explores the under-

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recognized role of high-quality childcare in the education and workforce pipeline. By laying the crucial groundwork for tomorrow’s workforce and promoting a strong workforce today, high-quality childcare provides a powerful two-generation approach to building the human capital that a prosperous and sustainable America requires. It supports parents: increasing completion of postsecondary education, raising labor force participation, increasing workforce productivity, and helping businesses attract and retain talent.

And it ensures that children have

the chance to develop well and begin kindergarten ready to thrive in school, work, and life.

For American business, advancing high-quality childcare is a winning proposition. It’s a wise investment in America’s future—strengthening business today while building the workforce we’ll depend on tomorrow and for decades to come.

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Bold Steps to a Bright Future

Are YOU interested in creating positive and sustainable change? While you give today - can you plan for the future?

Investment in early learning will pay big dividends.

And, of course, it will take BIG investments. As a general manager of a large refinery, Susan Krienen understood the need to build infrastructure and train staff. This investment isn’t the glamorous side of giving. However, it’s crucial to the overall success of the goal.

In 2014, Susan made a commitment - $100,000 a year for 5 years. With her contribution, United Way funded a coordinator for the Children’s Council of Skagit County...and Lyndie Case led the team through strategic planning and set the stage for what would become the First 1000 Days “Call to Action.” Susan’s contribution also funds enhanced communication about the importance of early learning. Both of these are necessary to achieve our Goal.

Susan now has an even more important reason to plan for the future – her first grandchild, Quinn!

In addition to her Legacy gift of the past 5 years, Susan has also included United Way of Skagit

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County in her will. Children born 30 or 40 years from now will benefit from her farsighted desire to improve the quality of life in Skagit County.

Create YOUR legacy! Now is the time for additional infrastructure funding to create systems that will bring tools and coaching to every new parent. If you believe in the power of investing in the beginning - in creating a solid start for EVERY child in Skagit County now is the time to join the team. Every dollar now will save $7-$13 per child, per year, down the road.

Gifts to United Way can be immediate or deferred. Some of the ways you can make a Legacy Gift include: • Cash - giving you a tax deduction that year.

• A Bequest - in your will. Complete a Commitment Form to let us know.

• Life Insurance Policy - with United Way as a beneficiary • Stocks or Bonds - can give you a tax deduction in the year you make your gift.

• Other Assets - call Debra at 360.755.9521, ex 1

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Awards Recognizing Truly Inspiring Partners

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ach year, United Way of Skagit County recognizes partners and individuals that go above and beyond to create sustainable positive change in local communities. This year, United Way’s Board of Directors is proud to announce the following Awardees. Awards will be presented at the We’re Ready Celebration.

2019 RECIPIENTS Volunteer of the Year

Spirit of United Way

Sustainable Partner

Extra Mile Award

Presented to the volunteers who represent and reflect a contribution of volunteer time, effort, and effectiveness during the current annual campaign that is outstanding.

Recognizing companies who significantly increased their workplace campaign and displayed the spirit of what it means to Live United.

United Way Sustainable Partners are organizations that have partnered with United Way for many years - giving their time, talent and influence to make Skagit County a better place.

Presented to individuals or organizations who stepped up the campaign effort this year, tried new things, raised awareness, set goals, etc.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2018 AWARDS

2018 Extra Mile Award: Liz Jenkins, Sedro-Woolley Teacher.

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2018 Spirit Award: Employees of our School Districts. Pictured are Phil Brockman, SWSD; Carl Bruner, MVSD; Mark Wenzel, ASD. Missing; BESD.

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Workplace Campaigns

Workplace Campaigns are the backbone in the fight for healthier Skagit communities. Highlighted are Pacesetter organizations – they set the tone for fundraising by making early campaign “pledges”, communicating the importance of giving locally, and coming together around shared goals.

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These Skagit employers offer payroll deduction benefits to their employees, and build a culture of giving and community involvement at their own workplaces. These businesses care about growing stronger families, well-equipped children and

better systems for healthier Skagit communities.

Highlighted are Pacesetter organizations – they lead community-wide efforts, commit to impact goals, and stand strong for lasting positive change in Skagit County.

Anacortes School District Bank of America Bank of the Pacific Banner Bank Best Buy Brigid Collins Burlington-Edison School District Car Toys Cargill Cascade Natural Gas Corp.

Chinook Enterprises City of Anacortes City of Burlington City of Mount Vernon City of Sedro-Woolley Columbia Bank Comcast Cable

North Sound Behavioral Health Organization Northwest Clean Air Agency Northwest Educational Service District 189 PACCAR Inc. PeaceHealth United General Medical Center Peoples Bank Port of Skagit County Puget Sound Energy Regence BlueShield RW Baird Sedro-Woolley School District Shell Puget Sound Refinery Skagit Bank

Community Action of Skagit County Conway School District Costco Wholesale Enterprise Rent-a-Car FedEx Fred Meyer Goodwill Heritage Bank Hospice of the Northwest KeyBank La Conner School District Macy`s Marathon Mills Electric Mount Vernon School District North Coast Credit Union

Skagit County Skagit Farmers Supply Skagit Public Utility District #1 Skagit Regional Health SPARC Target The Skagit United General District #304 United Way of Skagit County UPS US Bank Walmart Washington Federal Wells Fargo Bank Williams Gas Pipeline

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Corporate Donors Many large companies, foundations, and local businesses make significant gifts to create positive sustainable change in Skagit County.

ELITE $35 +

Platinum $15,000 - $34,999

Gold $7,500 - $14,999

SILVER $2,500 - $7,499

Argus Christmas Fund Cargill Williams Gas Pipeline Costco Opus Bank Swinomish Casino & Lodge (In-Kind) Skagit Community Foundation Skagit Publishing (In-Kind)

BRONZE $500- $2,499

BNSF Railway Company Cascade Natural Gas Padgett & Padgett, PLLC (In- Kind) USW Local 12-951 Regence BlueShield Tulsa Community Foundation

PROforma Creative Printing Solutions James Walters (In-Kind) JH Kelly, LLC Dreamchasers RV of Burlington Target Skagit Farmers Supply

Stronghold Specialty / Cat Spec Ltd. State Farm Foundation Peoples Bank Stowes Shoes & Clothing Walmart #2596 (Mount Vernon)

For a full list of workplaces, corporate gifts, sponsors, please go to UnitedWaySkagit.org.

Any omission or misspelled partner names are unintentional. Please contact our office so errors can be corrected.

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Individual Donors

Alexis De Tocqueville Peregrine Falcon $10,000+

$2,500 - $4,999

Dr. Carl Berliner Ann & Donald Caldwell Susan Krienen Anonymous (2)

Dr. Robert Coffey & Dr. Deborah North Lea & Gregg Davidson Deb Davis Bundy Julie O’Shaughnessy Elsbree John & Marie Erbstoeszer Mike & Lisa Janicki Mike & Mary Killien Kari & Steve Ranten Mark & Cec Spahr George Welch Anonymous (4)

Bald Eagle

$7,500 - $9,999 Guy Masters Shirley Yap

Trumpeter Swan Red-Tailed Hawk $5,000 - $7,499

Ken & Susan Johnson Debra & Doug Lancaster Richard Moldenhauer

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$1,000 - $2,499

Bill & Vicki Aslett Dr. Patti and Michael Brettell Phil & Tamera Brockman Erin Brumbaugh Carl & Carmen Bruner Mark & Kathy Buford Sean & Brenda Cornett Ken & Flo Dahlstedt Alan & Yaneth Daniels Michael Daou

M. Evans Katherine Ferris Chris Fisher Axel Franzmann Michelle Fry Tonia Goodwin Robert Gruber Patricia Hammond Ken & Christina Hansen Mark D Hansen Sara Anne Simchik Hough Diane Kaplan Gail & Glenn King Dreabon & Dustin Knowles Will & Jennifer Larson Nathan Levin Kirk Loy Patrick Maddox The Mahar Family Kimberly McCarn Anita & Charles McCarthy Kyle McNair Irene Millay Medcalf Family William Mercer Dyana Mitchell Anne Marie Morse Doreen Nystrom Sandi Paciotti, SB&C Ltd Kenneth Patnode Sharon Pawlowicz Dan & Erin Peek Shannon Perkes William & Wendy Rabel Diane Rusher Jason Schmidt David & Tracie Skrinde Ann & Rich Spiegel Philip Stephenson Dr. Robb and Carrie Stewart

Jenifer Suffridge Cecil Thomas Mary J. Tyler James Walters Mark & Julie Wenzel John & Allison White Stephen Williams Wilkinson Family Fund Donald Wolf Wayne Wooten Anonymous (13)

Blue Heron $750 - $999

Jim & Debbie Allen Sandy & Mary Carter Amy Fox Laurence Francois Bryan & Carol Harrison Brian Henshaw Jeff & Diana Holmes Alicia Huschka Jennifer Johnson Dr. Bryan & Anne Jones Jim Lippert James Lowe Agata McIntyre Gary M. Pea Cecilia Sargent Bob & Jennifer Walton Kevin & Kaela Schwitter Mia Troy Ron & Jan Wesen Jaime Zullo Anonymous (8)

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Individual Donors

Snow Goose $500 - $749

Berniece Aarstad

Susan & Jon T. Aarstad Adetokunbo Adekanmbi Ofelia Alvarez Alvarado Cyrus Anderson Barb Askland Greg & Stephanie Bachmeier Kurt Bachtold Mark & Karen Backman Maxwell Bald Dave & Becky Billings Lora Billow Lynne & Joe Blanford Jill Boudreau Jeff & Melissa Brown Peter & Laurel Browning Douglas Bruland Laura Cailloux & Andrew Ross Mark Campbell Jerry Carr Eric Shen & Betty Carteret William Chambers Jennifer Covey Sarah Crist Cutshalls-Anacortes Mark De Jong Jeff Demorest DeVoe Family Paul Dixon Tara Dowd & Steve Nelson Nathan & Jonna Dunham

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Kirk Dunn Echo & Family Diane Eiesland David & Aree Entenmann Andrew & Tia Entrikin Cory & Naomi Ertel Marc & Pam Estvold Lance Fisher Brett Fontes John Gallagher Levi Hall Linda Hammons The Hansen Family Tim & Pat Holloran Kirk Johnson & Lori Nordgulen Diana Jordan-New Henk & Sue Kruithof Gretchen Magnuson

Sherrie Marble Patsy Martin Linda McAdams Cara McGuire Lori McLeod Evelyn Morse Deannie Nelson Lynda Nelson Tara Dowd & Steve Nelson Steven Ottenbreit Sandra Perkins Kimberly Peters Kathleen Peterson Greg & Lou Ann Reed Kyle & Kelly Reep Will & Diane Reichardt Lori Sadzewicz Michael & Ellen Schweigert

Dr. Jerry Sells & Rev. Linda Larson Donald Smith Jason Smolsnik Julie Stemme Mel & Alice Takehara Kevin & Ann Tate Chad & Tracy Tesarik Megan Tewinkle Kathleen Thomson Lin & Carla Tucker Tiffany Urland Shane & Kim Walley Shaun Wesen Maria Wraspir David Wright Anonymous (12) For a full list that includes Sustainable Donors, go to UnitedWaySkagit.org. Any omission or misspelled names are unintentional. Please contact our office so errors can be corrected.

We know children experience the greatest growth and development during the earliest years. All of the environments in which young children live and learn have an impact on their cognitive, emotional, and social development.

We appreciate United Way’s efforts to champion this work across the region.

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Youth United Book Drive

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tudents at four local high schools joined together to host a BOOK DRIVE to support early learning centers in their communities. Anacortes, Burlington-Edison, Concrete and Sedro-Woolley schools are gathering HUNDREDS of books to share with young children.

THANK YOU! United General District 304 is committed to improving the health and quality of life for residents in the communities we serve.

Building Healthier

Communities

Women Infant & Children (WIC) The Landing Child Bereavement Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Fitness Center & Yoga Trek for Treasure Farm to School Access to Healthy Foods Youth Development Substance Abuse Prevention Positive Parenting Programs • Early Childhood Learning • Varsity in Volunteerism And, a lot more….

Partnering with United Way, and many other organizations • United Way Partner

2031 Hospital Drive, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284

www.UnitedGeneral.org

360.856.2549

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We’re Reading

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this is a year-round campaign, because reading with a child is something that should happen 365 days a year.

United Way of Skagit County is expanding the “We’re Reading” book drive into a program that encourages reading, vocabulary, and social emotional connection.

DID YOU KNOW...

We are partnering with WIC programs to provide kids with books they can take home and keep. WIC educators will share literacy tips with parents that encourage reading all year long.

The presence of books in the home has a greater influence on a child’s level of education than parent income, nationality, or income level.

A book is a powerful thing.

When shared between a parent and young child, that book is a life changing tool.

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Reading aloud builds vocabulary, supports cognitive development, increases concentration and discipline, creates a sense of closeness, and cultivates a lifelong love of reading.

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