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A TIME FOR GIVING 2025 SKAGIT PUBLISHING
2025 A Giving Guide To Community Non-Profits Supplement to the Skagit Valley Herald, Anacortes American and Stanwood-Camano News
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The Skagit Valley Family YMCA builds a community stronger in mind, body, and spirit Skagit Valley Family YMCA Year Established: 1911 1901 Hoag Road Mount Vernon, Washington, 98273 360-336-9622 www.skagitymca.org Facebook: com/SkagitValleyFamilyYMCA Instagram: www.instagram.com/skagitymca/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/skagit-valley-familyymca The Skagit Valley Family YMCA, originally known as the Mount Vernon YMCA, was established in 1911 as a Railway Y, providing a safe, positive environment for men away from their families while employed
by the railroad. For more than a century, the Skagit Y has grown and evolved with the addition of new fitness facilities, the creation of a summer camp on Lake Sixteen, launching early learning and school-age childcare pro-
grams, taking on the operation of the Oasis Youth Shelter, and starting new programs serving at-risk youth. Through the tireless efforts of 225 employees and more than 400 volunteers, the Skagit Y offers a multitude of resources to Skagitonians of all ages and backgrounds. Whether it’s serving infants and toddlers at its Early Learning Centers, engaging with seniors at aqua fitness classes, providing youth with sports programs, or supporting at-risk teenagers at its emergency shelter, the Skagit Y opens its doors to all Skagitonians. “We believe that strong communities are best achieved
when we invest in our kids, our health, and our neighbors,” says Skagit Valley Family YMCA executive director Dean Snider. “Our programs, services, and initiatives enable youth to realize their potential; offer families ways to have fun together; and empower people to be healthier in mind, body, and spirit.” While the Skagit Valley YMCA offers state-of-the art exercise and aquatic facilities, it is much more than a “gym and swim.” As an independently funded and managed charitable nonprofit, the Skagit Y serves at-risk youth in need of a wide range of services that include the following: • Temporary Emergency
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TEXT TEX XT IMPACT25 IMPACT T25 TO 360 492 492 4912 4912
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Skagit Valley Family YMCA Shelter: The Oasis Youth Shelter is a free emergency overnight shelter for 13 to 17-year-olds facing housing insecurity or homelessness. Teens have a safe place to spend the night, receive individualized case management, and are served hot meals. • Mobile Outreach to AtRisk Youth: Street Outreach Services staff help youth and young adults facing homelessness with one-on-one case management and resource connections. Help includes transportation, finding employment, and access to basic necessities and food. • Meals After School: The Skagit Y welcomes middle and high-schoolers at its SedroWoolley Rec Center, a free dropin after-school center where kids can relax, socialize, play, or do homework, while also receiving hot meals, clothing, and hygiene supplies at no cost. The Y’s future goals include launching new youth and teen programs such as Robotics Club and Youth and Government.
Additionally, thanks to funding from the Ballmer Group, the Y will be adding new programs designed to reach low-income families living in Skagit County and expanding its Skagit Y Outdoor program opportunities at its lakefront property on Lake Sixteen. The Y’s funding comes from a variety of sources, including membership and program revenue, childcare revenue, state grants and contracts, and individual and business philanthropic donations. In addition to membership, Skagit Valley residents can support the work of the Y through its year-end Impact Skagit fundraising campaign by visiting www.skagitymca.org/give or by texting IMPACT25 to 360-492-4912. “Our year-end Impact Skagit campaign is all about lifting up young people in the community who need us most,” Snider says. “Together, our goal is to raise $250,000 by December 31 to support at-risk youth across
Skagit County. Every dollar raised helps change a young person’s story—from isolation to connection, from fear to safety, from uncertainty to hope.” The Y also runs on people power, so volunteers are always needed for events like Healthy Kids Day, programs like Robotics Club or Youth and Government, and with youth sports leagues, among other opportunities. More information about current volunteering opportunities are
available at: www.skagitymca. org/volunteering/. The Oasis Youth Shelter, Sedro-Woolley Rec Center, and Street Outreach Services programs also distribute clothing items to at-risk youth who need them, so donations of new or gently used clothing items are welcomed. For more information about the Skagit Y, please visit www. skagitymca.org or stop by in person for a tour.
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TEXT XT IMPACT25 IMPACT25 TO TO 360 492 492 4912
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Warm Beach Camp shares the love of Christ through camping ministries and the beauty of the PNW Warm Beach Camp Warm Beach Camp Year Established — 1956 20800 Marine Dr Stanwood, WA 98292 360-652-7575 www.warmbeach.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/warmbeachcamp Instagram: www.instagram.com/warmbeachcamp Warm Beach Camp Ministries is committed to providing lifechanging camping experiences to people, regardless of their financial circumstances. Its Kids 2 Camp Scholarship Fund makes this possible by allowing kids and families to experience camp with fun adventures, caring staff,
and the powerful message of Jesus that can change their futures and bring hope. Through the love and efforts of 95 employees and 257 volunteers, Warm Beach Camp helps make stronger community members by pouring the love of Christ into the lives of youth and
families through a wide range of camping opportunities. These experiences provide time for growth, restoration, and hope in people’s lives. Warm Beach Camp Ministries is made up of Black Diamond Camp (Auburn), Warm Beach Camp & Conference Center (Stanwood), and Rainier Camp & Retreat Center. Among its wide range of camping and conference experiences are Day Camps, Horsemanship Camps, Camp Sunsparrow (a camp for persons with disabilities), and Outdoor School. The organization also hosts guest groups, both large and small, serving and supporting other youth and family groups who come for retreats, recreation, and confer-
ences. In addition, Warm Beach Camp Ministries, Stanwood location, is the site of The Lights of Christmas, a holiday experience like no other! Spectacular lights, dazzling displays, creative activities, and so much more make up this memorable Christmas experience for people of all ages. The Kids 2 Camp Fund was established in response to a growing need to make camping experiences possible for people, regardless of their ability to pay. Funding comes from individual donors, grants, and corporate fundraising, with 80 percent of funds supporting its various ministries. In 2025, Warm Beach Camp Ministries had the joy of serving over 100,000 individuals in the Puget Sound area with life-changing camp experiences that build faith, community, and hope. Thanks to the generosity of Kids 2 Camp supporters, 2,146 of those experiences were made possible to people who might not otherwise have been able to come to Camp. Warm Beach Camp Minis-
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Warm Beach Camp
tries’ most urgent need is for its Kids 2 Camp Scholarship Fund, for which it would like to raise $250,000 to help make camp possible for approximately 2,500 individuals. With programs
expanding and the increasing need for scholarships, the organization aims to raise $500,000 annually in Kids 2 Camp Funding by 2030. Warm Beach Camp Ministries
also gladly accepts gifts-in-kind and other non-financial donations, and one of its goals is to provide volunteers with a fun, rewarding, and well-organized experience. To learn more about
how to get involved, prospective volunteers are encouraged to visit www.warmbeach.com/ giving/volunteer/ — and tell a friend about the Kids 2 Camp Scholarship Fund.
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Skagit County Fairgrounds Foundation: preserving the Fairgrounds for generations to come Skagit County Fairgrounds Foundation Year Established — 2024 PO Box 123, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. skagitfairgroundsfoundation@gmail.com skagitfairgroundsfoundation.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ skagitcountyfairgroundsfoundation
For more than 125 years the Skagit County Fairgrounds has served as the Skagit Valley’s premier venue for showcasing agriculture, 4-H and FFA youth programs, elevating community organizations, hosting positive competition, and providing quality entertainment and experiences for the community.
Most notably, it hosts the annual Skagit County Fair, twice annual garage sales, and more than 40 community events throughout the year. Although the Fair itself is a county entity, it does not currently receive county general funds to support annual operations, and the Fair and
Fairgrounds must function as a self-sustaining unit year-round. In order to address the reality of aging facilities without burdening county taxpayers, the Skagit County Fairgrounds Foundation (SCFF) was formed in 2024 to preserve and improve the health and beauty of the Skagit County Fairgrounds, enhance the community’s use of the Fairgrounds, and foster projects that develop local youth in agriculture. The SCFF was formed by community volunteers and has no paid employees. Its current volunteer board membership consists of the following community leaders: Sharrie Nelson (President), Bekki Cox (Treasurer), Ayla Finnegan (Secretary), and its officers are Rick Dono-
van, Robert Johnson, and Liz Holtcamp, Wendy Couch, and Sarah Moure. During its first year of existence, the SCFF has funded a number of projects focused on maintaining and upgrading aging buildings, many of which are more than 50 years old. These improvement have included facility repairs, paving projects, and premium pool support. SCFF is actively expanding its volunteer base and board membership. The Foundation especially welcomes volunteers with grant writing skills, fundraising experience, or community outreach expertise, and also invites the participation of local businesses willing to donate
Give a gift of remembrance Purchase a custom brick to be displayed at the Skagit County Fairgrounds honoring your family or business while supporting vital community programs.
Scan to Purchase
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Skagit County Fairgrounds
time, materials, or supplies to assist with Fairgrounds maintenance and improvement aimed at preserving and enhancing the Fairgrounds for everyone in Skagit County. SCFF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 99-2565171). Community gifts—large and small—directly support tangible improvements
at the Fairgrounds that benefit youth and the wider community year-round. The foundation’s most urgent needs are for early stage fundraising for the maintenance of older buildings through individual donations, business sponsorships, and campaigns such as the commemorative brick fundraiser.
More information about the mission and activities of the Skagit County Fair Foundation can be found at skagitfairgroundsfoundation.com. One wonderful way to support the work of SCFF is through its Commemorative Brick Campaign, where donors can purchase engraved bricks to be
installed on the Fairgrounds. With Christmas approaching, giving a loved one the gift of a Commemorative Brick makes a lasting memorial to their love for the Skagit Valley, as well as supporting the ongoing improvement and preservation of the Skagit County Fairgrounds.
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Community Action of Skagit Valley builds stronger communities by equipping people to meet their goals Community Action of Skagit County Year Established: 1979 Mount Vernon Resource Center: 330 Pacific Place, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 Additional Resource Centers in Anacortes, Concrete, Burlington Phone: (360) 416-7585 www.CommunityActionSkagit.org Facebook: Community Action of Skagit County LinkedIn: Community Action of Skagit County Instagram: communityactionskagit Since 1979, families and individuals who are stressed about making ends meet have found help and hope at Community Action of Skagit County. “We help parents be heroes for their
kids, seniors to live with peace and dignity, and veterans to get the benefits they earned,” said Bill Henkel, Community Action’s Executive Director. In 2024, Community Action
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served over 54,000 individuals, families with children, seniors, adults with disabilities, and veterans with one-time or longerterm assistance. Friendly people provide non-judgmental help at Community Action’s Resource Centers in Anacortes, Mount Vernon, Concrete and Skagit Vets Connect, a special resource center for veterans and their families that Community Action hosts in Burlington. “Dealing with the high cost of living is stressful,” said Henkel. “Our doors are open at four resource centers in every corner of the county. We’re here to help people access ALL the resource that are available for them.” That’s important, and Henkel said it’s even more important for the community to work to-
gether to address root causes of housing instability and hunger. The organization’s approximately 100 dedicated staff members and more than 120 active volunteers work in countywide partnerships to address long-term solutions, such as preventing hunger and homelessness. For example, today, more than ever, the community depends on Community Action’s Skagit Food Distribution Center, the hub to get large shipments of food to over 20 food pantries and meal programs in Skagit County and the San Juan Islands. “We don’t run a public food pantry,” Henkel said, “rather we help ALL food banks do more together than any one of us can do alone.” The Skagit Food Distribution
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Community Action of Skagit County Center is a recent recipient of the Skagit Valley Food Coop’s “Feeding Change” program, where shoppers can donate at the cash register. “Partnerships like these are vital so that we can purchase food from Skagit Valley farmers and get nutritious food out to all food bank patrons,” Henkel said, adding, “because no kid and no senior should go hungry.” Likewise, to address longterm housing unaffordability, Community Action is also a housing developer, with Cascade Landing Apartment Homes in Burlington, as well as at Kulshan View, an innovative project in partnership with the Mount Vernon School District that will break ground in 2026. According to Anacortes Resource Center Coordinator Dianna Plourde, most people who call or walk through the door of a Resource Center just have one or two questions. “We point them in the right direction, often to one of our hun-
dreds of community partners, and they go from there on their own,” Plourde said. Others may have more complicated situations. “We’re here to walk alongside them and provide ongoing support.” In focusing on root causes of poverty, Community Action is proud to partner across business, nonprofit, and government sectors to create more opportunities for education, employment, and financial stability. Community Action is governed by a board of 15 directors who equally represent the client sector, private sector, and elected officials. “We follow the lead of the people we serve by raising voices, asking about and understanding their needs, and building shared communitywide goals and solutions,” says Henkel. Funding for Community Action’s mission currently comes from a mix of Federal, State and local government funding – and increasingly from private and
family foundations and individual donations. According to the agency’s many years of clean audits, 90% of Community Action’s funding goes directly to those served. Donations provide flexible funding that allows the agency to be nimble to respond to rapidly changing community needs. People may also help by volunteering, hosting an in-kind donation drive, advocating, or continuing to spread the word about Community Action’s pro-
grams and services. Donations can be made online at www.CommunityActionSkagit. org/donate by mail 330 Pacific Place, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 or by phone (360) 416-7585. Contact VolunteerCenter@CommunityActionSkagit.org to learn more about volunteer and internship opportunities. For information on food resources, visit the Community Action Food Resource Guide: www.CommunityActionSkagit. org/Food/.
35,000+
$ The Food Distribution Center is the main food hub for all of our area’s food banks. communityactionskagit.org
Amount Donated Since September 1
Open Daily to Everyone Downtown Mount Vernon skagitfoodcoop.com
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New Earth Recovery offers healing through connection New Earth Recovery Year Established — 2011 PO Box 1473 Mount Vernon www.nerecovery.org Facebook — www.facebook.com/nerecovery.org/ The opposite of recovery is not sobriety, but connection. Through its seven recovery homes in Mount Vernon, New Earth Recovery (NER) serves adults looking for a structured, faith-based program for drug and alcohol addiction. The staff walk closely with residents, who receive care and support in their recovery journey. NER partners closely with many local agencies, and has its own in-house relapse prevention program called Genesis. Through Genesis, residents receive healing for the wounds that caused addictive patterns in their lives.
New Earth Recovery has the distinction of being the only long-term residential recovery program in the Skagit region. The idea for the nonprofit grew out of co-founders Alan and Amy Muia’s experience as volunteer chaplains at the Skagit County jail, and their realization that people needed safe, longterm housing in order to heal. They also needed mentorship, life skills, help with setting new goals, and a “second step” home when they graduated. New Earth Recovery opened Faith House, its first home for women, in 2011. Now NER
operates seven homes for men and women. Some are entrylevel homes, for people new in recovery, and some are secondstep homes, for those with more recovery time. The stay at an entry-level home lasts for nine months, and the stay at a second-step home can last as long as the resident is working on recovery and living well in community. Addiction has always been a major issue in our county, but following the pandemic and the increase of lethal drugs like fentanyl, overdoses and addictionrelated crime are on the rise. “The best thing we can do for the health of our community,”
says Executive Director Alan Muia, “is provide for safe and effective recovery housing.” The program shows good success. Last year, NER served 57 people. 21 graduated inpatient treatment, 11 found jobs, 29 repaired family relationships, 10 started college, 6 found stable housing following the program, 5 resolved criminal cases, 6 renewed child visitation, and 15 got drivers licenses. One of the resources available to residents of New Earth Recovery is The New Earth Recovery garden, “a place of community, laughter, connection, and healing for bodies, minds, and spirits.” Residents participate in
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New Earth Recovery seasonal gardening activities depending on their recovery phase and current hours of employment. New Earth Recovery is funded primarily through individual contributions and is also supported by Skagit County Public Health, grants from regional foundations, and program fees paid by residents. Monetary donations are always needed, and more than 83 percent directly supports resident needs and program participation. New Earth Recovery encourages the community to learn more about its mission and programs, along with opportunities to support it, through its website, and to share its contact information with anyone who is struggling with substance use disorder. Visit www.NERecovery.org to learn more about its mission, programs, opportunities to support the organization, and contact information for anyone who is struggling with substance use disorder.
For the sixth year in a row, New Earth Recovery will host the acclaimed Noel Harp Ensemble in a musical benefit. To experience the magic of a Celtic harp Christmas, the public is invited to attend the concert on Friday, December 5 at 7:00 pm. The performance will take place at Bethany Covenant Church, 1318 S. 18th Street, Mount Vernon. No tickets are required; a freewill offering benefits New Earth Recovery.
New Earth Recovery is a non-profit Christian organization operating a residential recovery program in Skagit Valley. New Earth Recovery loves, strengthens and accompanies people in recovery from substance addiction through faith-based healing community.
To Donate Go To: www.NERecovery.org
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The NOAH Center is committed to a better future for homeless animals The NOAH Center Sponsored by Hansen’s Furniture Year Established: 1988 31300 Brandstrom Road, Stanwood 360-629-7055 www.thenoahcenter.org www.facebook.com/thenoahcenter The Northwest Organization for Animal Help (The NOAH Center) is dedicated to ending the euthanasia of adoptable, healthy, and treatable homeless animals. In support of this mission, The NOAH Center provides high-quality, affordable spay and neuter services to low-income families and offers family-friendly pet adoptions for animals transferred in from overcrowded shelters and rescue
partners across the region. Despite decades of progress, pet overpopulation remains a pressing issue in our region. A recent statewide report estimates that over 15,000 healthy, adoptable animals are still euthanized each year across Washington, including more than 2,000 in Snohomish, Skagit, Island, and Whatcom Counties. Contributing factors include a shortage of affordable vet-
erinary service, families surrendering pets due to financial hardship or housing insecurity, and high numbers of unaltered animals in low-income communities. Without accessible spay/ neuter programs and lifesaving adoption services, shelters remain overcrowded, and animals’ lives are at risk. The NOAH Center offers a unique solution
to these issues by combining prevention and rescue. The organization’s high-volume spay/ neuter clinic operates seven days a week, targeting lowincome families, shelters, and rescue partners. In June 2025, The NOAH Center expanded its clinic facilities and has already increased surgeries by more than 12 percent over the previous year. Preventing unwanted litters is the best long-run solution to shelter overpopulation. In 2024, The NOAH Center touched the lives of thousands of animals through record breaking accomplishments that included: • 4,042 dogs and cats transferred into our shelter • 3,753 adoptions, placing pets into loving homes • 2,401 foster placements, pro-
The NOAH Center is working to end the euthanasia of healthy and adoptable pets. We believe that the companionship of a furry friend is priceless and we are here to help make it a possibility for all. We have saved the lives of over 54,000 homeless cats and dogs, matching them with their forever homes and provided spay and neuter surgeries for almost 155,000 pets. We’re making a difference for animals in need and their families.
Join us!
360.629.7055 | thenoahcenter.org
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The NOAH (Northwest Organization for Animal Help) Center viding critical care outside the shelter • 8,888 spay/neuter surgeries, directly addressing overpopulation The NOAH Center also responded to national crises, welcoming pets displaced by natural disasters and hoarding cases here in Washington. Each of these animals received safety, care, and ultimately a new home. The NOAH Center partners with more than 125 overcrowded shelters locally and nationally, transferring pets at risk of euthanasia and giving them the time and care they need to find forever homes. The organization’s adoption center provides clean, comfortable suites and a welcoming environment that reduces stress for animals and creates positive experiences for adopters. Nationally, only 29 percent of pets come from shelters, but The NOAH Center works to change that by making adoption accessible, family-
friendly, and efficient. Its robust foster network provides care for underage, sick, or special-needs animals, allowing staff to save more lives and prepare pets for adoption. The demand for The NOAH Center’s services continues to climb as shelters across the country face record numbers of animals in need and families struggling to afford veterinary care. With expenses ranging from routine vaccinations and
spay/neuter surgeries to urgent and often complex medical care, the cost of providing safe refuge and healing for every animal is significant. The NOAH Center remains committed to fiscal responsibility and operational excellence, ensuring every donor dollar is maximized to save lives. With support from the Hughes Foundation and the communities it serves, The NOAH Center will continue to provide lifesaving
care and prevention services for thousands of animals in 2026. Together, we can reduce pet overpopulation, prevent unnecessary euthanasia, and ensure every animal has the chance to find a loving home. To learn more about opportunities to stop the euthanasia of healthy, adoptable, and treatable homeless dogs and cats, visit the The NOAH Center website at thenoahcenter.org.
Hansen’s Furniture is proud to support The NOAH Center this holiday season. 916 W Division St., Mount Vernon, 98273 • 360.424.7188 • hansensfurniture.com
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S.P.O.T. envisions a Skagit Valley where all pets have forever homes S.P.O.T. (Saving Pets One at at Time) Sponsored by All About Hearing Year Established: 1999 (non-profit status in 2000) PO Box 211, Burlington 360-336-5388 www.savingpetsoneatatime.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/SPOTBurlingtonWA With the objective of increasing dog and cat adoption options in Skagit County and beyond, a group of animal lovers got together in the Fall of 1999 and started a non-profit alternative animal rescue and placement organization appropriately named Saving Pets One at a Time (S.P.O.T.). By increasing the options for animal adoption, S.P.O.T. hopes that more companion animals will find loving and permanent homes
while insisting that all animals placed in its care are spayed or neutered. Rather than operate a shelter facility, S.P.O.T. relies on a foster care network that provides a safe haven for unhoused animals until they can be placed into a permanent home. The foster homes are carefully screened to ensure that proper care and a loving environment will be provided during the animal’s stay.
“S.P.O.T. is very firm in its policy that all animals are spayed or neutered prior to placement within a home,” says the organization’s president, Nina Spitler. “This policy is essential in helping to reduce the number of homeless pets within our community. In addition, all cats are tested for Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and Feline Aids (FIV) prior to being placed. Adoption fees include the spay/neuter operation, vaccinations, parasite control, an ID tag, microchip and a free vet check-up at participating veterinary clinics.” Over the past few years, S.P.O.T. has become increasingly concerned about the number
of cats and dogs that are being surrendered by owners. Local shelter and rescues are turning pets away due to lack of space. This is reaching a critical point in Skagit Valley communities as well as state-wide. “The freeroaming cat population in our communities is another indicator of this over-population,” Spitler notes. “It is very disheartening to see litters of kittens scrambling for food scraps and crossing busy city streets. One of our goals is to work on collaborative solutions for spay and neuter of free-roaming cat colonies.” The success of S.P.O.T.’s outreach program is possible due
SAVING PETS ONE AT A TIME
The mission of our all-volunteer organization is to provide the Skagit Valley with an alternative method of caring for and adopting companion animals. We are a non-profit, 501(c)3 charitable organization
830 South Spruce Street, Burlington, WA 98233 • 360-336-5388
299892-1
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S.P.O.T. (Saving Pets One at at Time) to dedicated volunteers and the support of local businesses. The nonprofit helps as many cats and dogs as it can, but its focus is not volume but rather quality of life. Many of the pets it takes in need some kind of veterinary assistance and in-home care to regain their health. “These cats and dogs are usually lovely, lovable pets by the time they leave us,” says Spitler. “Adopters often express how grateful they are for their cat or dog and how much joy it brings into their lives. Making the connection of a loving home for a pet that in turn enriches the lives of the people who adopt it is the reward of rescuing.” While cash donations are always appreciated, S.P.O.T.’s greatest need is for additional foster homes. The organization’s website includes a surrender process and an application form that helps place pets through PetFinder. The process starts with placement criteria for the desired dog or cat, which is then
(360) 707-5500
followed by an interview and a “meet and greet” at the nonprofit’s Burlington headquarters. S.P.O.T.’s website and Facebook page are instrumental in featuring animals that are looking for a “forever home.” Although its services are primarily directed toward the Skagit Valley, S.P.O.T. also takes in animals from other Washington counties as its resources allow. As part of its outreach efforts, S.P.O.T. works with local government agencies to educate communities on issues such as the increase in feral city cat populations. To learn more about donation and volunteer opportunities with S.P.O.T., visit the non-profit’s website, which also serves as an excellent resource on area shelters and rescue organizations, as well as providing practical tips on pet adoption and ownership. But be prepared to experience a serious tugging on your heartstrings. As Spitler warns, “Although people worry
about falling in love with an animal they have fostered and then have to place, it’s a very fulfilling situation to see an animal become a cherished pet and fulfill the needs of other people.”
During our Holiday event on December 2nd through 4th, we’re pleased to share a portion of every hearing device sold with SPOT.
We are proud to sponsor our neighbor and friend.
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Peace and compassionate care for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s and their families for more than 30 years Skagit Adult Day Program Year Established: 1992 116 N. Skagit St., Burlington, WA 360-755-1235 www.skagitadultdayprogram.org Instagram: www.instagram.com/skagitdp Facebook: www.facebook.com/skagitadultdayprogram For more than 30 years, Skagit Adult Day Program (SADP) has served the Skagit community by improving the lives of adults living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. With a mission to deliver high-quality compassionate care in a structured and safe environment, the
organization provides a supervised, daytime program where adults with special cognitive needs can participate in a group setting. Clients experience companionship, interaction, and personal attention that meets their needs, along with activities and individual contact designed
to stimulate socialization in an effort to help them age in place. The origins of Skagit Adult Day Program go back to 1992, when Nancy Gentry, Dr. Winnie Bradford, and Kim Dooley founded the program to meet a growing need for dementia care in the Skagit area. By 2005, SADP had its own dedicated facility in Burlington named Bradford House, in honor of Dr. Bradford. In 2009, Gentry House was opened in Anacortes. The number of seniors with dementia is now larger than ever, and Skagit County is disproportionately impacted with the highest proportion of elders of any Washington State
County. SADP is a unique Northwest non-profit that provides a five day/weekday program that invites adults with dementia to socialize with their peers and to participate in memory wellness and therapeutic exercise. Research demonstrates that music therapy improves cognition while reducing anxiety, and music is also a key element in the SADP daily program. Supported by a staff of six, with access to a registered nurse, clients also enjoy a delicious home cooked lunch each day. With their loved one in a safe, stimulating environment, family caregivers have respite from the all-consuming physical and emotional stress that results from the pressures of their responsibility. They now have time to address their own needs, such as medical appointments, household chores, coffee with friends, naps, or just time to unwind. SADP is committed to providing group support three times a month to all caregivers. Hosted by Burlington Senior Center, caregivers meet on the second
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Skagit Adult Day Program and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. to share their stories, learn from each other, and bond with others on their difficult journey. On the last Monday of the month, SADP provides a community Lunch & Learn event from noon to 2 p.m. All community caregivers are invited to share a free lunch and to interact with a guest speaker or discuss the media presentation offered. There is strength in community. With very few regional resources to draw upon, rebuilding from the pandemic, and high inflation, there is significant difficulty in finding affordable care for those in need. SADP works hard to keep rates as low as possible to ensure that low to moderate income families have access to services at Bradford House. “As a nonprofit, we rely mostly on grants and fundraising events to fund our program. Community sponsors willing to invest in Skagit Adult Day Pro-
gram are needed. Donations are always welcome,” says Jan Taylor, Board President. “In-house supplies and volunteers for fundraising events are also greatly appreciated.” Approximately 85 percent of SADP’s revenue goes directly to client services and operations. Looking ahead, Skagit Adult Day Program’s short-term goals are to maintain financial stability, to welcome more clients, and to increase dementia awareness within the community. Long term, SADP is looking to increase community support, upgrade the Bradford House facility, and find a location in Anacortes at which to rebuild Gentry House to serve the Anacortes community. To learn more about Skagit Adult Day Program or to make a donation, please visit www. skagitadultdayprogram.org. Even the smallest bit of support brings peace and quality care to the families who need it most.
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Skagit Gleaners offers a transition from food pantry to grocery store Skagit Gleaners 1021 Riverside Drive, Mount Vernon 360-848-1045 www.skagitgleaners.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/skagitgleaners glean: to collect gradually and bit by bit; to gather (leftover grain or other produce) after a harvest Skagit Gleaners started in the 1980s with a family picking food from farm fields in Skagit County that farmers were unable to harvest, then bringing that surplus to a central location to be shared with other families. In 1988, Skagit Gleaners was established as a nonprofit with a mission of food recovery and rescue that serves the twin goals of feeding
families through an affordable alternative to grocery stores while practicing environmental stewardship by keeping food out of the landfill and thus reducing CO2 emissions. Over the years since its founding, Skagit Gleaners’ food sources have expanded beyond local farm fields. “We still do hand harvest gleaning from farms, backyard orchards and gardens and community gardens, but we also tap into larger sources such as grocery stores, restaurants, big box retailers
and distributors,” says Morgan Curry, Executive Director and nonprofit advisor. “We glean from all the schools in the Mount Vernon School District as well, and we do these activities seven days a week, 365 days a year. We bring all that food back to our facility in Mount Vernon and at the end of the year when we add up all
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the food that we’ve gleaned through our various sources we are are able to keep 1.5 million pounds of food out of the landfill in Skagit County alone.” In addition to a food market that allows members to shop up to three times a week (families typically receive up to 40 pounds of groceries), Skagit Gleaners also rescues and redistributes clothing and houseware items through its Gratitude Galleria program, which is included as a membership benefit. Members can shop in the Gratitude Galleria an unlimited number of times a week. Members of Skagit Gleaners contribute a minimum of 3.5 hours/month of volunteer time to the organization. Most members also contribute a shared nominal donation to the orga-
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Skagit Gleaners nization that covers rent and utility costs. The cooperative model empowers a communityled system fueled by active participation, and for some it plays a vital role in bridging disparate gaps in the journey from a food bank participant to a grocery store consumer. Although its service area is primarily Skagit County, Skagit Gleaners welcomes folks from Whatcom, Island, and Snohomish counties as well. “People often assume that we are a food bank,” Curry notes. “I describe us as a community centric system. It doesn’t matter what your social or economic status was outside — as soon as you step inside we all contribute. It’s the only organization where I’ve seen school principals work alongside migrant farm workers sorting through food and doing the exact same work.” During the Covid-19 pandemic, Skagit Gleaners witnessed an urgent need for
access to affordable food as prices in grocery stores spiked. Since then, constrictions to the federally funded Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) have further exacerbated that need. In response, Skagit Gleaners now follows a mass distribution model through which food surpluses are made available to community food banks. “Our whole mindset is to have an attitude of gratitude and to work collaboratively as a community, so we don’t hoard…we share,” says Curry. Over the past couple of years the organization has also created targeted programs to make sure the needs of the underserved are being addressed, which also distinguishes its model from that of typical food banks. Historically, Skagit Gleaners has not needed to solicit funding from outside its membership, but the non-profit is in the early stages of developing a five-year capital campaign to
purchase land and build a new facility to replace its original venue. “We’re growing out of our space,” Curry says, “and we also have dreams of ultimately cultivating some of our own food as we lean into our community centric model of growing food and using what is available.” Those who would like to become members of Skagit Gleaners or donate toward its efforts can do so through the non-profit’s website, www. skagitgleaners.org.
Nearly 40 percent of food produced in our nation goes to waste, with CO2 emissions from food waste remaining the third largest source of greenhouse gas emissions.
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Helping Hands Food Bank reimagines feeding the hungry Helping Hands Food Bank Year Established: 1985 9386 Fruitdale Road Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284 Mailing Address: PO Box 632, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284 (360) 856-2211 www.helpinghandsskagit.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/HelpingHandsFoodBank Instagram: www.instgram.com/helpinghandsfb/ Since its beginnings in a Sedro-Woolley church basement in the 1970s, Helping Hands Food Bank has remained focused on its primary mission of providing those in need in the Skagit Valley with food, kindness and respect. Over the years, and even in the face of pandemic and heightened demand, the non-profit has
expanded on this mission by addressing the more endemic causes of food inequity. With sixteen full time employees and more than 350 volunteers, Helping Hands Food Bank delivered 1.9 million pounds of food in 2024 to residents of Skagit County and surrounding areas that included Island, Whatcom, and Sno-
homish counties. The organization also received more than a quarter million visits to its now expanded network of six sites. Although the recent suspension of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits has highlighted the issue of food scarcity nationwide. Mandi Rothman, Helping Hands Food Bank’s chief development officer, emphasizes that many of the families that her organization serves do not qualify for SNAP to begin with. “A significant number of our participants have jobs and are just finding it difficult to make ends meet, so their need doesn’t go away when a government shutdown ends,” she says.
In making sure that people get fed, Helping Hands Food Bank has also realized that there are other challenges affecting the reasons that people were coming to the food bank. “We are more than a food bank,” Rothman points out, “We’re a resource center and calm in the storm for thousands of people in need.” Today, Helping Hands Food Bank is headquartered in a new facility (referred to as “the big red barn”) at the corner of Fruitdale and Wicker in Sedro-Woolley. The non-profit has created its Helping Hands Food Bank Center to provide services that go beyond nutritional needs to include education and advo-
Helping Hands Food Bank and Solution Center Our mission is to nourish our community with kindness and respect without judgment. We are Skagit County’s largest direct food provider.
360-856-2211
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Helping Hands Food Bank cacy. The Center is at the core of what makes the organization unique among food banks. Its Solutions Team is a starting point that helps people navigate the systems and resources that exist in their community to help them. “Our goal is to build our programs and to establish solid partnerships with other nonprofits, businesses, and with farmers so we can lean on each other to support people who are just surviving in our community,” Rothman says. “We want to help them thrive.” The most immediate way to support the work of Helping Hands Food Bank thrive is to give online via the organization’s website at www.helpinghandsfoodbank.org/donate, or by mail at the post office box address listed at the top of this article. Visiting the Helping Hands website is also a great way to learn about volunteer opportunities, such as food sorting and delivery.
In 2024...
15,700+
volunteer hours dedicated
53,000+
CHOW bags of kid-friendly food delivered to Skagit children
250,000+
visits across six Skagit County locations
1.9+ million
pounds of food passed through their doors
2600 Cedardale Rd, Mount Vernon 360.424.4548 soundcedar.com
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Since 1974, the Humane Society of Skagit Valley has supported pets in need and the people who love them Humane Society of Skagit Valley Year Established - 1974 18841 Kelleher Road Burlington, WA 98233 360-757-0445 skagithumane.org/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/SkagitHumane Instagram: www.instagram.com/ humanesocietyofskagitvalley More than half a century ago, a concerned Skagit Valley citizen sent a newspaper documented record of photos showing the decline of a horse in an effort to get local authorities to take action. The public outcry that resulted led to the creation of the
Humane Society of Skagit Valley in 1974. Today, through community partnership, the Humane Society of Skagit Valley provides safe and compassionate care for homeless pets, matching pets in need with forever homes, reuniting lost
pets with their families, providing low-cost spay/neuter services, and offering positive solutions so pets remain with the families they love. A guiding principle of the organization is its belief that “To be human is to be a caretaker — entrusted with the breath of creation, called to guard every creature with respect, compassion, and humility.” Through the efforts of its 26 employees and 237 registered volunteers (of which 69 are actively involved with shelter activities), and key relationships with fellow colleagues and animal welfare organizations, the Humane Society’s shelter programs have been able to reach national “No-Kill of Adoptable Healthy Pets Organization” status by meeting over 90 percent of live pathways for its incoming animals. The organization has also been recognized by the nationally recognized Animal Welfare Organization, Best Friends. “Our strategy to surgically spay
and neuter companion pets and make them available to loving homes is part of a solution, but not a complete solution,” says Humane Society of Skagit Valley executive director Janine Ceja. “It truly takes a village to become ‘No Kill,’ and I am proud to say we are finally there in 2025 — but we need to maintain that mark. That is where our donors come in.” Ceja is celebrating 40 years with the Humane Society of Skagit Valley, having risen up through the organization from Kennel Attendant to Operations Manager to Executive Director, pioneering a Feral Cat Community Barn Buddy program since 2013, helping feral cats having a live pathway and working with
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Humane Society of Skagit Valley
the community to reduce pet over-population, and helping the shelter pets through Adoption Events and Animal Welfare Rescue. The Humane Society of Skagit Valley currently serves primarily
Skagit County and some areas south of Whatcom County, north of Snohomish County, and west of Island County. The organization’s most urgent needs are expanding its spay/neuter services and helping its shelter animals
with behavioral issues find forever homes. Longer term, it would like to increase its education outreach. “It’s easy to make assumptions about an animal shelter without truly understanding the many
layers of care and commitment involved,” says Ceja. “As a 501(c)3 non-profit animal shelter and animal welfare organization, we require community support to be successful. I invite everyone to come visit and get to know the Humane Society of Skagit Valley firsthand. The organization does incredible work thanks to a small but deeply dedicated team who give their time, compassion, and hearts to some of the most vulnerable members of our community. My appeal in return is that you help us sustain this effort.” Those who share the commitment of Ceja and her organization are encouraged to donate in person or mail (18841 Kelleher Road Burlington, WA 98233), or through the organization’s website, www.skagithumane.org/donate. Volunteer applications are also available through the website, and is a wish list of items the Humane Society is always looking for (www.skagithumane.org/ volunteer and www.skagithumane.org/wishlist).
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4 gestures of love and sharing to brighten the Christmas of the less privileged
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re you aware of your privileges, such as good health and a good-paying job? Do you want to express your gratitude by bringing comfort to people less fortunate than you this holiday season? Use these four ideas as inspiration. Volunteer. Plenty of organizations need “helping hands” in the run-up to the festive season. You can wrap toys for underprivileged children, cook meals in a community kitchen for financially vulnerable families or collect food for Christmas hampers. You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to getting involved in your area! Visit someone in the hospital. Spending Christmas in the hospital is tough. You could bring a little joy to someone in the hospital by visiting them on December 24 or 25. Bring them a greeting card, a few sweets or a gift. Take advantage of your visit to do an activity with them like walking down the corridor and chatting, playing cards or watching a Christmas movie. Lend a hand. Do you have a few hours to spare in your busy schedule? Use your free time to spread happiness and gratitude around you. For example, you could show your generosity by clearing snow from an older person’s driveway, helping someone with limited mobility put up their outdoor decorations or buying groceries for an exhausted caregiver — the possibilities are endless! Invite someone over for Christmas Eve. For various reasons or circumstances, such as divorce, moving, illness and work, someone in your circle may be spending Christmas alone. Whether it’s a family member, neighbor, colleague or friend, open your arms and home to them. Invite them to celebrate Christmas Eve or Day with you. Your hospitality is sure to warm their hearts! No matter how big, acts of mutual aid and solidarity can make all the difference in making Christmas a happy time for those less fortunate. What kind gestures will you make this year? Giving out warm clothing to people without homes, sponsoring a newcomer family, sending greeting cards to nursing home residents, donating to a worthy cause and more. Whatever your way of giving, don’t hesitate to encourage your loved ones to get in on the action!