Pay It Forward Stories 2020

My daughter is part of a competitive cheer program. The program is a wonderful way for kids to learn team work, stay busy and build friendships with those they may not in school. The program has many kids who can not afford all of the expenses.

I donate my card to the organization to help those families who struggle with the expenses that incur for their child to maintain on a team. I feel it is so important for kids to be able to have a positive outlet and feel like they belong to something as they grow up. This program has provided that for my daughter so I like to help those who have a hard time financially.

The Grays Harbor County Fire District 2 was in need of an air quality monitor. The monitor provides the firefighters & EMS Personnel with information of DO NOT ENTER EXPLOSIONS MAY OCCUR or ENTER WEARING SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) due to low oxygen levels. These types of situations are common, for example, carbon monoxide from generators, barbecues or cars running in enclosed areas. Also, propane or natural gas leaks.
I am a volunteer with the Grays Harbor County Fire District 2 at the Brady station having 30 years of service and obtaining the rank of Lieutenant. I can state the need for this tool has never been greater.
Thank you Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation for the funds allowing us to purchase this monitor and save lives.

Fred is a dear friend of mine. And works for Montana Rail link. He found out I was struggling with paying my bills. I hadn't worked since I found out I had breast cancer. I had a mastectomy in January. he surprised me with the giving card on my birthday. It came as a huge surprise. Need less to say it made me cry. It just shows that there are still good people in this world. I'm doing well and on my way to recovery. Thanks for having such a wonderful program.

Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation
2020 Pay It Forward Giving Card Program:
This year I chose a friend of mine, Cassie Jangula. The following is her self-description on Facebook: Abuse Survivor. Mother. Foster Mother. Daycare owner. Teacher. Friend. Opinionated.
I chose her because of the amazing things she does everyday for our Butte Community. She has 4 children and Foster’s 3 children. Two of the 3 Foster’s are in the process of being adopted by her and her husband. The children range in ages from 14 years to 3 months. She has two 7-year-olds and 2 infants. I have watched her the last 3 years and the Foster Children have come so far. They are developing their own personalities and confidence. Besides taking care of these children she has a day care and has substitute taught.
Cassie recently bought a new home so each child could have their own room. In the move she found some of the bunk beds didn’t fit and other items were needed. She used the gift card to purchase a loft bed, bedroom set, storage cubicles, laundry hampers for each room, new clothes for the babies, a toy box and a video baby monitor. Cassie is incredibly resourceful and I was amazed at how far she made the money go with each child receiving something needed.
Cassie works very hard to make ends meet and it was a pleasure to be able to give her some extra cash at a time she needed it most.
Thank you for your continued generosity and investing in the Butte communities.
Sincerely,
Amelinda Olson

During the Missoula Gives campaign we gave our pay it forward funds to Watson's Children's Shelter. $500 will feed a child in crisis for one month. Being new parents, it breaks our hearts to know a child has to go thru such trauma but we are grateful there are organizations like Watson's to assist. Thank you to the Foundation for the opportunity to give to a meaningful donation to a worthy organization.

A close family friend had his 2nd kidney transplant. He spent several months in a hospital in Washington State. I presented his family with the pay it forward card at a fundraiser for his medical costs. The family is so grateful for the Pay it Forward program. It brought tears to their eyes know that there are people in the world that have compassion for others.

A heart felt Thank you is given to the DPW Foundation!!!

Counterpoint provides an array of services to adults with disabilities in Park County, Montana. We used the card to purchase personal protective equipment to ensure the safety and health of our staff and clients during the Covid-19 outbreak. The services we provide to our clients is essential so the purchase of the PPE was to. WE WANT TO SINCERELY THANK THE DENNIS AND PHYLLIS WASHINGTON FOUNDATION FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

My Pay It Forward card was given to my Aunt, Sharon Nichols who lives in Fargo, ND. Sharon has suffered from mental and physical disabilities her entire life. Together we purchased basic necessities for her apartment including a set of knives, laundry soap, toilet paper, a mattress pad and groceries to help her during the Covid-19 Pandemic. She greatly appreciated the donation. Thank you!

Last year we partnered with Giving Backpacks so this year we did the same but a little different. Giving Backpacks joined with local restaurants to help feed the homeless. With all the closures of business's and restaurants struggling to stay open thru this Covid-19 were helped to support a local restaurant keeping employees working and feed 75 men from Truth Ministries.

I gave my giving card to ZooTown Crossfit's Crossfit Kids program. The card was used to purchase equipment for the kids' program. Crossfit Kids is a fitness program for children ages 5-12. The programming focuses not only on mechanics of movement, but also building confidence, discipline, and a sense of camaraderie among the young athletes. Photo from Crossfit.com

A portion was used to help children in my neighborhood clean the local park, the remaining amount was used to help the employees at the daycare which my wife works at due the diminished hours as a result of the covid crisis.

The pay it forward grant of $500 is donated to Special K Ranch, a non-profit facility caring for mentally challenged children and adults. The facility houses, feeds, encourages, trains, and gives purpose to a group of folks not supported as a whole in our society. The ranch offers opportunity to learn, socialize, and contribute in meaningful projects.

I gave the card to a friend of mine who is a single mother of two beautiful little girls. I gave her the card to help her and the girls get through the tough times that of course included the covid-19 pandemic.

I gave my card to my friend Debbie. She has C.R.P.S. that goes throughout her whole body and is in continuous pain. She is unable to work and the medications she is required to take by her doctors is experimental and not covered through medicaid. These funds helped her with her medical costs. She is very thankful for the Washington Foundation for giving her this opportunity.

I gave the gift card to a friend in need. Has been liv8ng in his camper for 3 year and needed a generator. I was vary mucb appreciated.

I donated my Giving Card to Denver Children's Hospital, I donate to them every year.

I purchased two $250 gift cards to give to two families in need. The first family purchased meat from a local butcher so they should have meat for a few months anyways. The second family used it to pay their past due propane bill which they use for heat. So overall it was a perfect year

During 2019/2020, I was fortunate enough for my employer, Montana Rail Link, to invest in me and put me through the Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Missoula program. Among the many valuable sessions and days that I was able to experience through this program, one of the most impactful to me was the Human Needs Day.

During Human Needs Day, one of the establishments that we toured was the Missoula Food Bank. While touring the Missoula Food Bank, I learned of the power-packs program for school children; they were putting together nutritious snack-packs and meals for school-children on the weekends as many of them depend on their school meals for their nutrition, and end up going hungry over the weekends. Having an 18-month old at home, this was really hard for me to hear, and certainly encouraged me to try and be more involved in humanitarian efforts such as this.

When I learned I was a recipient of the Pay It Forward card, there was very little hesitation in my mind of where it was going; I would give it to the Missoula Food Bank and ask that they use it toward their nutritional program for school children.

This pay-it-forward program is such a neat way to allow our employees to give back to their communities, as well as empower them as to where they would like to give. I am very thankful for this opportunity to be involved in the generous giving of the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation, and the Missoula Food Bank was very thankful for this (and this program) as well!

First off I would like to thank the Dennis and Phyllis Washington foundation for this Wonderful opportunity to help others in need, I chose to Gift my pay it forward card to a single mother in my community who has been extremely down on her luck, With two children to take care of and being forced out of work due to a severe injury I couldn’t think of a better person to forward this to! In the past I know she has contributed to my community in various ways Such as fundraisers, donations, and Other simple acts of kindness! Thank you again Dennis and Phyllis Washington for such a gracious opportunity, I know myself and other recipients are looking forward to this opportunity again!!

I chose two give two individuals a prepaid visa for 250$ a piece. These two recipients have impacted not only my children's lives but countless others in the years i have known them. I believe strong communities begin with strong support at home and strong support at school. These two teachers have donated countless time, energy and money over the years and i thought it fitting they were given back to. Thank you for the opportunity to pay it forward in my community!

So I’m giving my Pay It Forward card to the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter in Billings, MT. They are a very deserving non profit organization and they cannot be given enough. For all these people do for not just the community but for the many animals that are either abandoned or taken in because they are lost they cannot be given enough. I am a huge animal lover and have adopted animals from this shelter. I cannot thank the DPW Foundation enough for giving me this opportunity to do this great deed. Thanks again.

First and foremost, thank you for the opportunity to be a part of the Pay It Forward program this year! We used our card to donate, in memory of our pup, to the Mission Valley Animal Shelter.
With the pandemic in full swing, we thought we would order supplies and have them shipped to the shelter, but most places were out of stock or there would be a long delay in receiving them. We ventured out to purchase food and much needed items for the shelter. We loaded up the back of our vehicle with over 300 lbs of wet and dry food, specialty food, kitten replacement milk, treats and much love for what they do, and delivered to the appreciative staff at MVAS.
They were extremely grateful for the donation and would like to thank the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation for their generosity!

I gave this card to a family deeply affected by the Covid-19 stay at home order.
As they were laid off from their jobs, things got tight and this was a help in keeping the household running and help them thru a tough time.

They were beyond thankful for the gift and have asked me to pass on their thanks to the Washingtons and everyone involved in making the Pay-it-Forward cards possible. So thank you!!!!!

We really did make a difference.

A good friend of my family recently had a baby, the little boy was born with a heart condition and required surgery at the age of three months. I gave them the Giving Card to help with travel expenses to the Denver hospital. Little Lyam has a long way to go before he is out of the woods, but for his family being able to be with him as he was going through his ordeal was a God send.

Thank you Dennis and Phyllis!

John

The card was used at the High Altitude Skating oval. The oval has become vital part of the community for winter recreation. Many kids and families use it and has become quite popular especially on the weekends. The money was used to replace several large windows in the warming hut that provide a great view of the skating. This has been on the to-do list for awhile and is nice to get it done.