“How to help families in Uvalde this Memorial Day Weekend”

By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA (Certified Volunteer Administrator), for the JOLT News:

“Uvalde is a town of 16,000, smaller than Tumwater, and a low economic area. Before this week, most people never heard of Uvalde unless you were driving Highway 90 between San Antonio and Del Rio, it’s about the halfway mark.”

“The following funds have been established to support the families. [Mary Beth Harrington, CVA,has] worked for or with all of these organizations and know them to be good and reputable.

First State Bank of Uvalde – https://www.fsbuvalde.com/

• Make checks payable to “Robb School Memorial Fund”
• Checks can also be mailed to 200 E. Nopal St., Uvalde, TX 78801
• For Zelle donations, send to robbschoolmemorialfund@gmail.com

Catholic Charities – https://ccaosa.org/catholic-charities-uvalde/

• Catholic Charities is providing emergency financial assistance for family members who need to travel to Uvalde. All services provided to those affected by the school shooting are free to everyone regardless of religious affiliation.

San Antonio Area Foundation – https://saafdn.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list

• Bexar (pronounced bear) County District Attorney Joe Gonzales announced his office is working with the San Antonio Area Foundation to establish two funds that will turn over 100% of the proceeds to families directly impacted by the shooting or provide long-term assistance to the Uvalde community.

United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County – www.uwsatx.org/

• The United with Uvalde Fund has been established to support the victims’ families and the community saying 100% of the fund will support the Uvalde community with immediate and long-term mental health resources.

The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country – www.communityfoundation.net/uvaldestrong

• Established the Uvalde Strong Fund to support victims, their families, and others affected by the mass shooting incident.
• Checks can be made out to Uvalde Strong Fund and mailed to:
  Uvalde Strong FundCommunity Foundation of the Texas Hill Country241 Earl Garrett StreetKerrville, Texas 78028

“All donations to these organizations are tax-deductible and by indicating that your donation is for the families in Uvalde, 100% of your donation will go to supporting them. Thank you for your generosity.”

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From Mayor Joe DePinto’s Facebook post:

“Lots of stuff to do this Memorial day weekend at the Yelm City Park!

“Saturday at 10am we have the grand opening of our Fitness Court, season opener for the Splash Pad & Yelm Farmers Market and there’s a Mystical Enchanted Garden Fest going on, all at the same time.

“That gravel parking lot is going is being fixed up but will be open this weekend for use and will be paved most likely on Tuesday May 31st. We are also completing a sidewalk that will finally connect all of Yelm City Park in a big loop.

“Really excited for this weekend at the park, I hope to see you there!”

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Commissioner Franz Urges Fire Safety This Memorial Day Weekend

Uptick in wildfire activity projected due to warmer, drier summer

“Even with one of the soggiest springs on record, Washington is still primed for wildfire season.

“With areas of drought expanding throughout Washington, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, who leads the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), is asking Washington residents to make a concerted effort to help prevent fires this Memorial Day weekend.

“‘After a record wetting spring, we’re already starting to see signs of drying out,’ Franz said. ‘This summer is still expected to be warmer and drier than normal, setting the stage for active fire danger.'”

“Despite recent cool, rainy weather, DNR is prepositioning aircraft and equipment across the state in anticipation of an uptick in fire activity in the coming weeks despite current light fire activity.

“The early season rainfall has spurred vegetation that will quickly dry out and easily catch fire as this season warms, particularly in eastern Washington.”

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From JOLT News, by Mary Beth Harrington, CVA (Certified Volunteer Administrator):

It’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month — and here are some ways to observe it

May is not yet over, so there’s still time to recognize that May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

In 2009 the name of this observance officially changed from Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. The purpose is to recognize the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. #AAPIHeritageMonth #AANHPIHeritageMonth

Despite the AAPI communities’ remarkable success and vital contributions across social, economic, and political realms, progress towards greater national acceptance and belonging continues to be threatened by unchecked cycles of xenophobia and race-based violence.

Here are four nonprofits that support and celebrate this vibrant community as well as some great films that you may want to check out.

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Nisqually tribe celebrates milestone in new elders building construction

From the Nisqually Valley News:

Construction is well under way for a new elders building located next to the tribe’s new health center at 4840 Journey St. SE. The facility is three times larger than the current one, at more than 22,000 square feet. It’s expected to open by March 2023. The community celebrated a milestone in the construction of the building on Thursday with a “topping out” ceremony, where the final beam is placed on the building before a roof is installed. The beam was signed by people who were involved in the planning and construction of the building, including Cleo Frank, the Elders Program Manager.

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Protect and Revitalize the Salish Sea

From SacredSea.org:

Your tax-deductible donations to Sacred Lands Conservancy 501(c)(3) doing business as Sacred Sea​ directly supports the Salish Sea Campaign and the work to bring Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut (Tokitae/Lolita) home. Hy’shqe! [Lolita is still in a cement tank at Miami’s Seaquarium.]

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Amanda Gorman’s poem on Texas shooting has captivated the internet

From USAToday via MSN:

“Tuesday’s school shooting has left many people at a loss for words, overwhelmed with emotion. In her latest poem, Amanda Gorman is capturing those feelings and transforming the speechlessness into stanzas. 

“The poet and activist, 24, took to social media Tuesday to share the gun violence-focused verse.”

The poem that has gone viral, from Poet Amanda Gorman’s Tweet:

Schools scared to death.

The truth is, one education under desks,

Stooped low from bullets;

That plunge when we ask

Where our children

Shall live

& how

& if

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Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, Lt. Gov. Denny Heck both test positive for COVID-19

From KOMO-4 TV News, Seattle:

“Governor Jay Inslee’s office announced he tested positive after a rapid test. He is reportedly experiencing “very mild” symptoms, which includes a mild cough.

“Inslee will work from home until further notice.”

“The Washington state governor has been vaccinated and has received two booster shots.”

“Lt. Gov. Denny Heck also tested positive, he also has mild symptoms. Heck said the cases are unrelated.” [Heck said, “I’m glad to be vaccinated and double-boosted.”]

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Bloodworks Northwest returns to Yelm June 9-10

Pop-Up @ Yelm Community Center

Large Event Room

301 2nd Street SE, Yelm

Book your appt. today @ schedule.BloodworksNW.org

Donating blood is an essential and encouraged activity critical to sustaining community healthcare.  Your one-hour donation appointment is a safe action to support local hospitals and patients.  Pop-Up Donor Centers are being conducted in accordance with social distancing guidelines.

Last week Bloodworks Northwest announced our membership in a new Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC) comprised of 30 blood centers from 37 states across the nation. Our mission: to ensure there’s blood available for victims of mass-injury emergencies. As part of the corps, we committed to collect approximately 15 extra units of O- and O+ blood on a rotating schedule.

+ Read the official press release + Watch the KOMO News and KIRO NEWS coverage

Book your appt. today @ schedule.BloodworksNW.org

Yelm Farmers Market opens this Saturday for the 2022 season

Yelm Farmers Market is open May 28 through Oct. 29, 2022, Saturdays 10 am – 3 pm.

From the Yelm Farmers Market:

“The market has over 20 vendors including farmers, artisans, bakers, beekeepers, leatherworkers and much more plus a thriving children’s program and special events. Every dollar you spend contributes to a strong local economy and a healthy food network in our community.

“With generous support from the City of Yelm, we are able to move to our new home and new day.  Saturdays at the Yelm Community Center right inside Yelm City Park.

Click here for the Yelm Farmers Market website.

Yelm names neewst street for beloved teacher Ed Burgh

From the City of Yelm Government:

“We are so pleased to announce our newest street, Bergh Ct, in honor of our beloved teacher, Ed Bergh. Ed was a social studies teacher at Yelm High school for 36 years who passed away in February of 2017. He is described as “dedicated and passionate” in his teaching and was awarded the Washington Civic Educator of the Year and just two years later he received the National History Teacher of the Year award. His death was a major loss to our community and we are happy for the opportunity to honor his memory in our town forever!”

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