Pay It Forward Stories 2022

After seeing and hearing stories on the news and from people I know, like Steve Doty, who personally know Ukrainian people in need because of the Russian war in Ukraine, I decided to give the $500 Pay-It-Forward gift card plus $500 of my own money to DirectConnect Humanitarian Aid so that Ukrainian people in desperate need can get help they greatly need. I contacted Steve Doty, the founder of DirectConnect, a pastor and retired logistics professional who works with people he personally knows and has contact with. Steve has devoted his life to helping those in need in the most efficient and direct way possible – on the ground. He works with volunteers from both the United States and other countries to deliver help where it’s needed most.

Message from Steve Doty:
Here is some text and photos that I received from my contact in Ukraine. Her is Anya, and even though she and her family are basically running and hiding themselves, she is still trying to help others back in her home city of Kremenchuk. The first paragraph is from her. The other paragraphs is her explaining what she has been able to do so far with the support to help others with food, basic supplies including medicine. Some people are hiding out in orphanages, some are trying to sew warm hoods for soldiers. One group of 7 women and children (photo 3448) we helped get to Poland where they would be safe.

Message from Anya in Ukraine:
Dear Steve, thank you for all the prayers. We really need them and really appreciate them! We decided to stay together as a family, we can't imagine leaving Egor alone... Yes, we are still in Western Ukraine, so relatively far... And relatively safe, if I can even use this word... All these atrocities are killing me... I am really on the edge. And yes, Steve, in places where there is no war action banks are working fine. I got a wire to my bank account the other day from my host family. I can't draw it all, but can use it when paying with a card or drawing about 100$ worth at a time from an ATM. And I can wire money further to other people, too. thank you for everything you do. Please, pray for us, I am barely holding... I watch the news and cry all the time. What did we do to them? Why is God not answering so many prayers, desperate cries for help and mercy... I am praying all the time. The nights are long and sleepless. I can hear my brother talking in his dream and startled from time to time, shaking/shivering... It's heart breaking. I can't sleep... Please, ask everyone in church to pray for Egor, Larisa and Alex and for all Ukrainians as we are suffering more than we could have imagined.

I have also sent support for Sveta (140$), she is an orphanage graduate who now is a volunteer in Kremenchuk. She collects items and delivers them to refugees or baby orphanage. She used the money I sent to do shopping. Still has some left to but more items. This went to refugees and the baby orphanage. Snezhana tried to go to the border with her husband and her 4 kids. Unfortunately, failed to cross, as her husband wasn't let out and she decided she wouldn't cope on her own and returned. He had to have a special certificate from the government that he is the father of 4, kids' birth certificates with his name were not enough... It's a pity. They are back home now. Still very scared as they constantly see planes and rockets flying around and sirens, too. I sent them 1500 for the trip and same sum yesterday as they had no food already. Total 3000, a bit over 100$.
I send her a bit over 200$ for the fabric and food, socks, etc I have also wired 100$ to Gradizhsk today and will do the same tomorrow. The orphanage now had almost 100 people with kids who really need cleaning /hygiene items and food. But mostly the first. The deputy director with drive to Kremenchuk with her husband to do the shopping as their village is low on supply. Photos will come later I also bought 100$ of medicine for the local volunteer center where they send items to Kharkov, Kyiv, and other very dangerous areas. It's blood-stopping meds and pain-relievers and disinfection for wounds. Very very needed stuff that can truly save life. And here are the photos from a teacher of handcrafts from TB. Her name is Alexandra. She is very much involved in sewing special hats for the army, especially local guys who stand on block posts and try to protect people and also the ones fighting in different areas. Also she got food and socks for people in need, too!
These are the females of the family with kids who actually managed to leave to Poland! They are very very grateful
As for Inna, she says many many thanks to you for all the help that you have provided! She is very grateful! It's great help!
This is her family. All family with her kids (young adults now) and their spouses. And grandkids.

I gave my card to the Lincoln Sportsman's Club. They are building a new shooting range near my town and its been years in the making. It will be nice to have a place for target shooting since Lincoln has never had a dedicated range since I've lived there for the past 25 years. Many families in the area will enjoy recreational shooting sports at the facility as soon as this summer. I look forward to it. Thank You

This year I used the Pay It Forward Gift Card to help a family on our softball team with medical expenses. The mother of this family of 4 has had to undergo multiple medical procedures and continues to fight with gastrointestinal problems daily. The father has had ongoing kidney problems. Both parents work full time but needed a helping hand. They are kind, generous, and positive people. I am glad that Washington Companies has given us the opportunity to lift their spirits with this donation.

I provided my giving card to the head coach at YMCA Missoula Swim Team who will be using it for a team-building activity with the coaching team. This group of incredible individuals devotes countless hours of their time working with hundreds if not thousands of youth in the Missoula area each year. We're so lucky to have them serving this important community service!

I had thought long and hard about where to give my card. I have decided to give my card to a gentleman that I have meet that works at a local restaurant. We have visited many times about his life and struggles he has incurred recently. He is older gentleman that is working two jobs to make ends meet and that is having some medical issues. He is needing a hip surgery, but doesn't have enough money or time off to get it done. So I wanted to give him my card to help lesson his burden a little. He was very appreciative of the gift that he received.

This year I gave my Pay it Foreward gift to my Nephew and his wife for Medical Expenses for they’re youngest Child. He has been suffering with seizures off and on for a couple of years. The child was doing better late last year but the beginning of this year he started having problems again. With multiple Doctor visits out of state they were struggling With finances.

A friend of the family had just proposed to his fiancé while down on a trip to AZ. And after talking with him about all the details, a few days later he had broken a tooth in half. And having started a new career his health benefits were not yet in place. They had hosted us and treated us like we were apart of their everyday normal routine. I felt moved to use this card in helping him pay for his dental bills. Because i can only imagine the stress it had caused him after spending quite a pretty penny out of his savings on a wonderful engagement ring. I also like to thank the foundation. This is such an amazing feeling to be able to help others.

As the school year is coming towards the end many class rooms are running out of supplies and snacks. You always hear teachers using their own funds to buy supplies for their classroom. So I asked the principal at one of our local grade schools to send a email to all of the teachers and ask them what they would like for snacks for their classrooms. After getting a list my wife and I went to Sam's Club and bought snacks with the Pay It Forward card. Thank you for giving Washington Corporation employees the opportunity to make a difference in their communities.

My giving card was provided to a single mother to help offset medical expenses for her daughter in Kindergarten, Maylee, who became ill and was previously already compromised.
Maylee’s mother is employed at my daughters pediatricians office and misses work due to her daughter struggling with medical concerns. This year in February, Maylee caught parainfluenza, COVID, and RSV. Maylee was already compromised and was flighted to Denver to recover and the school and community supported Maylee providing a dollar day for Maylee. We provided a card indicating we hope Maylee and her family could use this to help offset medical or any necessities they may need.

Hello,

I appreciate the opportunity to pay it forward to a non-profit that helps veterans in need.

The Wounded Warrior Project is proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic and is honored to work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to support veterans on their journey to fitness and rehabilitation through sports. Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition, (The Wounded Warrior Program).

I have witnessed this first hand, I have attached some photos.

Thank you Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation,

John R. Cooper

This year, we seen a family I need outside of the real food grocery store and I asked them if the need and food or clothes? They said they could use some winter clothing. So I asked the man and lady what size and went into capital sports and purchased a winter coat and bibs for them as well as some other clothing.

i split the giving card into 2 separate gift cards and gave one to Billings Real Soccer Club to assist with costs for any family that may need it, the other card was given to Poly Drive Elementary for school/class supplies.

I donated the Pay It Forward 2022 card to Richland Early Learning Co-op, they will be using these fund for school supplies, purchase new play toys, and activity needs. This program encourages Parent/Student learning and are centered around early learning for the youth before pre school.

The weeks leading up to camp were some of the warmest days of the year thus far, but a break in the temperatures was on the horizon and arrived just in time for camp. Monday morning began with a bustle of activity as instructors readied the aircraft for the first day of flying. Campers Jake, Chris, Martín and Cody arrived with an energy and excitement that lasted the entire week. Everyone enjoyed a light breakfast in the hangar, courtesy of Town & Country, as the campers explored their flight bags and readied their logbooks for the first entry. As the hangar doors opened on that first morning, our future pilots looked out to see their aircraft set up in diamond formation while the Top Gun soundtrack played in the background.
Following a group pre-flight, campers and instructors climbed into the cockpits and took to the skies over the Gallatin Valley for their first flight! Two hours later they touched down, returning to a delicious lunch donated by Jersey Mike’s Subs. Ready for their next adventure, they headed out for a tour of Bridger Aerospace, learning about the new technologies used in wildfire suppression and got a tour inside one of the decommissioned Super Scooper aircraft! Following a tour at Rocky Mountain Rotors to check out some helicopters, the campers returned to Summit for a ground lesson on basic aerodynamics to finish off the day.
Day 2 dawned a bit hazy from smoke, but it didn’t dampen our campers’ enthusiasm as they took to the skies once again! Heading to the southwest, they got an aerial view of one of the area’s newest forest fires on their way to Ennis. After a classic Summit BBQ cookout of hot dogs and hamburgers with all the fixings, our new pilots got to explore the world of private aviation and charter operations with a tour of an Embraer Praetor 600 jet (given by our three amazing volunteers from Embraer Executive Jets- Marsha, Doug and Bruno), as well as the FBOs of Yellowstone Jet Center and Jet Aviation. A glimpse into aviation maintenance with a visit to Arlin’s Aircraft Service rounded out the day’s adventures.
The third day brought a flight to Helena and a ride in the old classic Lincoln Town Car from the Executive Jet FBO. A cruise down Main Street with a stop at the coffee shop topped off the excursion before their return to Summit for wonderful pizza and salad provided by MacKenzie River Pizza in Belgrade. After lunch, the campers enjoyed a tour of Bozeman’s Airport Fire Station, before heading out to explore Hyalite Canyon and Palisade Falls.
Thursday was “Split up and go where you want day”. For camper Cody and instructor Ben, this meant the opportunity to fly to Cody’s hometown of Phillipsburg, MT to see his family and visit the candy store where he works! Fellow camper Jake and instructor Andrew decided to join in on the fun, while campers Chris and Martín decided to explore the impressive collection of antique cars at the airport in Ruby Valley with their instructors, Hannah and Hattie. Special thanks to Bombardier for sponsoring all of Thursday’s flights! After a delicious lunch donated by Roost Fried Chicken, our campers learned the basics of cross-county flight planning before heading to Summit’s FRASCA simulator, where a new obsession was born. After multiple attempts, and some successes, to land the simulator with no engines, it was time to call it a day.
The final day of camp arrived and everyone was ready for their big trip to Driggs, ID. Departing in the Diamond DA42 Twin Stars, our campers and their instructors first headed south to Yellowstone National Park for the spectacular views of the Grand Prismatic, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Old Faithful, which put on a show as they flew by! Now westward bound, Chris, Martín, Jake and Cody experienced the majesty of the Grand Tetons from the birds eye view. Once on the ground in Driggs, it was on to a private tour of the Warbirds Museum, followed by lunch at the Warbirds Café before loading up for one last flight back to Bozeman. After one last round in the simulator, which turned into a competition to see who could successfully complete a barrel roll without crashing, we said goodbye to our campers and sent them off with best wishes, unforgettable memories and friendships to last a lifetime.
Every camp seems better than the last, and last year was no different. Whether it was the endless enthusiasm of our campers, or the fact that we weren’t able to hold the camp the previous year due to the pandemic, this camp seemed to be the best one yet and ultimately, that’s all thanks to you. From aircraft owners donating flight time and all of our individual sponsors and lunch donors, to our Embraer volunteers, Bombardier sponsored flights and Jet Aviation’s donation of all the fuel used during the week, we cannot thank you all enough! Without your generous support, none of this would be possible.
Every year we are blown away by the generosity and support we receive for this program and so are our
campers. Each of our campers was kind enough to share with us what this camp meant to them and how it has changed their lives. For cancer survivors there’s always that fear in the back of their minds of their cancer returning. For some, the physical limitations they’ve experienced as a result of their cancer or treatments is a daily presence in their lives, but the one thing all of our campers shared is how freeing and empowering this experience is for them. When they get in the plane there’s nothing they can’t do and every time they leave the runway, they leave their cares and worries behind and they’re free.

Thanks to Corey Spehar, employee at Montana Resources, Butte, the Anaconda Community Foundation was able to "pay it forward" on behalf of Corey and this gift. After describing several known needs in our community, Corey picked two: 1. purchase food for lasagnalove.org, a program that assists families with a hot meal who are simply needing some comfort from a hot meal; groceries were purchased on behalf of those who cook for needy families. 2. our high school students no longer qualify for food supplements such as the backpack program and school personnel have noticed students being hungry, thus, half of Corey's "pay it forward" went to the Anaconda High School office food pantry.

Missoula Aging Services - Meals on Wheels

The Giving Card was issued to the Corvallis Primary School. We issued the card to them for multiple reasons. To help with Art Supplies, a beloved teacher that had worked at the school for a number of years passed away unexpectedly, and we wanted to support our daughters school.

16 year old boy recently diagnosed with medical condition. Travel costs to Kalispell children hospital and co- pays.

I would like to thank all of those involved with the Dennis and Phillis Washington Foundation for making such a contribution to our companies and employees. Sometimes the reactions from the Pay it Forward Program gift card recipients is more than one expects.

While narrowing it down to a couple of different recipients for my card, I stopped in at one of the businesses which we rely on for support, and asked if one of their employees had retired early, and learned that this was not the case. The employee had gone into the hospital for a serious case of COVID-19, and shortly after his release was diagnosed with severe cancer.

My choice was to give the card to this person and his family, and after reading the letter, things got really quiet, he thanked me, then shared his story of the challenges he has faced and continues to each day, because all though he has tried to return to work, he is too weak to do so.

Once again, thank you.
Thomas Moran

I decided to spread the giving around..if I was getting gas and someone pulled up I would explain that I work for MRL and explain the paybit forward format..then buy their gas..it shocked absolutely everyone!! Also if I saw someone with groceries and kids I would walk up and explain then pay for their groceries!! Can not tell you how much it made people's day..several toba point of happy tears !!

I decided to spread the giving around..if I was getting gas and someone pulled up I would explain that I work for MRL and explain the paybit forward format..then buy their gas..it shocked absolutely everyone!! Also if I saw someone with groceries and kids I would walk up and explain then pay for their groceries!! Can not tell you how much it made people's day..several toba point of happy tears !!

I’ve been listening to a lot of Tony Robbins and hungry people and feeding them is near and dear to his heart and this year he’s going to feed through his charitable donations 1 million people and I just want to be part of that! So I went around the Helena community and found hungry and homeless people and bought them a meal, sure does make you feel good helping people out that need it ! Thank you Dennis Phyllis Washington for the opportunity!

I used my giving card to assist a family that had been affected by the recent pandemic. Prior to receiving the giving card I had on several occasions set funds aside as both the husband and wife first fell to the closures and than they both fell ill to the virus itself. Their appreciation along with my joy in being able to help them is truly a blessing. Thank you

Curtis O. Peebles GSP, CHST, STS-C
Envirocon Inc.

I chose to give to the boys and girls club of Thurston county. This organization is very near and dear to my heart. As a youth I attended the Boy and Girls club with my siblings every spring break and summer vacation. The vast majority of the staff are volunteers and are great mentors that chose to donate their time to todays youth, many of whom are less fortunate or might not have a male or female role model in their lives. They offer tutoring, team building and various different sports programs that teach teamwork, sportsmanship and self confidence.

After graduating from college I wanted to give back and volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club and it was one of the most gratifying experiences of my life to work with todays youth both mentoring and coaching them in various sports and functions. It made a dramatic difference in my life and has for many youth that attend the boys and girls club.

I gave my pay it forward card to the Humane Society of Western Montana. I am a huge animal lover and can't think of a better way to help out homeless animals.
They were extremely Grateful for the donation, and want me to Thank the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation for the Generosity they give to the community.