Pay It Forward Stories 2024

I have split my card up to three different families that needed financial help.
1st I gave to a local family that lost their 10-year-old son in a tragic accident on a ski trip. He collided with a tree leaving a devastating loss to this family.
2nd person I donated to a young lady that lost her father to a heart attack. She is an only child and she needed to have her father transported back to Butte from Salt Lake City where he had passed away unexpectedly.
My 3rd family is a family friend that is currently in Salt Lake City in the ICU. She has had an allergic reaction to an unknown cause that keeps closing her throat off and they cannot figure out what is going on that is causing this to happen. One of her daughters is staying in Salt Lake while her mother is in the hospital. They need help with finances for expenses of her staying away from home. I truly appreciate receiving this card and funds that I can help out people that I believe are in true need of financial assistance. Thank you for continuing this program it is very kind and appreciated by so many in need.

I was chosen to give out a pay it forward card for 2024. I chose to give mine to a new schoolteacher in Butte. MaryCatherine Hamm is a first grade teacher at Kennedy Elementary School. She is a first year teacher. This card allowed her to get a head start for tools for teaching and helping her students. I have attached a letter I received from MaryCatherine as well.
Thank you to the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation for this opportunity.

I gave it to a friend that lost her husband two years ago and is now raising two children on her own. She has help from her family and friends. She is currently going back to school and working full time.

Over the past few years, my wife and I have come to know a developmentally disabled young man named Iziah. Although his upbringing and family life were very unstable for the majority of his life, he is one of the kindest, friendliest and most caring people we have come to know. It was my pleasure to present the Pay it Forward card to Isiah. He was so happy and extremely thankful for the generosity of the foundation. He told us he was going to use the money to buy himself some necessities such as food, clothing and shoes. He said this gesture was one of the nicest gifts anyone has ever given him.

Thank you for the opportunity to allow us to make a positive impact on the lives of others. I am so thankful to be part of the Washington Companies and Modern Machinery.

I donated my card to the Anaconda Firefighters who did the stair climb in Seattle for the fight against leukemia and lymphoma. The donation went to help find a cure and research.

I used the gift of the Pay It Forward initiative to help out a young mother who after reading her story I hope you agree it was used for its proper intent.

Her name is Jen. She is a hardworking (now single) mother of four children whose ages range from 10 to 4. Sadly her youngest is special needs, with autism, who requires much of her extra time. While this might be managed within the family her husband decided to be unfaithful and leave her and the children. Not wanting to paint the children's father in a bad light, Jen tried to make the best of a bad situation. This led to her having to take two jobs that barely get her and her family by with the price of everything going up exponentially. We are still working on housing and trying to assist in filling the gaps she has with her children needing her attention, but the pay it forward initiative will help her fill some of the smaller gaps, such as food, and gas to get her to work.

The Pay It Forward program has allowed me to help several families throughout the years. This time, in particular, was an incredibly memorable experience because I could feel the amount of sincere gratitude that this mother of four had for the donation we provided. Thank you, Dennis and Phyllis, for giving me the opportunity to be my best.

This year I’ve chosen to donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. As the father of two healthy and happy teenage girls, I can’t imagine the pain and heartbreak that families suffering through childhood cancers experience. I’m grateful to the Foundation for this opportunity to pay it forward and perhaps help a family that has been less fortunate than mine.

I paid it forward to a single Mom who will always go above and beyond. She is a single mom with a 9 year old daughter and at the end of each month it never seems like her paycheck stretches far enough. She doesn't drive a fancy vehicle, wear elaborate clothing or go on extravagant trips. They eat every meal at home and she's a wonderful cook. Although the 9 year old would much rather have McNuggets, chicken strips from the fridge will do. She puts everyone ahead of herself and never takes anything for granted. She appreciates everything she has. She wakes everyday at 3:30am and gets home around 5:00pm, cooks, eats, helps with homework and then gets about 30 minutes to herself before it's bedtime. She's one of a kind and I'm very proud to call her my girl.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to have the opportunity to give her a little extra this past month. It just goes to show what type of woman she is that she took the money and spent it on groceries.

I donated the card for the summer program for underprivileged children. We bought swim passes and lunch tickets for the kids.

I decided to donate to Compassion International to support their project providing livestock to families in need (I donated a cow). Compassion International is dedicated to helping children in poverty (primarily in South America, Africa, & Asia) by offering holistic care, ensuring they develop physically, socially, economically, and spiritually.

I chose to support Compassion International because I deeply believe in their mission. The gift of a cow brings sustainable nutrition and income to families, helping them become self-sufficient and providing a brighter future for their children.

One of the aspects of Compassion International's work that resonates with me is their long-term support for children. They provide care from infancy to adulthood, ensuring that each child receives the support they need to thrive.

The impact of giving a cow extends beyond just the family receiving it. It empowers families to create better lives for themselves and contributes to the overall development of their communities.

Supporting Compassion International means supporting a brighter future for children around the world. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their mission and make a positive difference in the lives of others.

This donation went to James White to help fund his trip to take part in two debates in Houston, Texas, one in Tullahoma, Tennessee, plus teach a extensive seminary course on his way back through Texas. Dr. White does not demand or receive fees for his debates or teachings, even though he could charge several thousands of dollars for his appearances. To keep his travel expenses low, he travels by a truck pulling a camper and staying at public campsites.

James White is the director of Alpha and Omega Ministries. He is Professor of Church History and Apologetics at Grace Bible Theological Seminary, and has taught Greek, Hebrew, Systematic Theology, Textual Criticism, Church History and various topics in the field of apologetics for numerous other schools. He has authored or contributed to more than twenty four books, including The King James Only Controversy, The Forgotten Trinity, The Potter’s Freedom, The God Who Justifies and What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qur’an. He is an accomplished debater, having engaged in more than one hundred eighty moderated, public debates around the world. Before travel restrictions James debated in such locations as London, Sydney, as well as in mosques in Toronto and South Africa. He is a Pastor/Elder of Apologia Church in Arizona.

We decided to help out the Arlee CDC Food Resource Center. Getting a list of needed food, shopping to procure the food, and delivering it while meeting the great people who work there was an excellent experience for my family and me. My Grandkids enjoyed helping in this process. I'm including a letter from Marie Corcoran-Koberdanz, the Food Pantry coordinator.
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We were deeply moved by the incredible surprise brought by Paul Morton and his family. Their decision to "Pay it Forward" embodies the spirit of compassion and generosity that defines our community. Through their selfless act, they have not only changed their lives but also the lives of many others in the Arlee - Jocko Valley.

The contribution, the kindness and the generosity will make a tangible difference in the lives of those who rely on the Arlee CDC Food Resource Center, and for that, we are truly grateful.

In the first quarter of 2024, the Arlee CDC Food Resource Center served a record number of individuals in need within the Arlee - Jocko Valley community. During this period, the pantry distributed 14,952 pounds of food, to 1,479 individuals, a slight increase from the same period last year. This reflects 442 households receiving assistance, reflecting the growing demand for food support services. These statistics underscore the critical role that the pantry plays in addressing food insecurity and providing essential resources to vulnerable populations, particularly amidst ongoing economic challenges and the impacts of the global pandemic. Our food pantry statistics reflect an increase of individuals and a decrease in households, reflecting that many families in the Arlee-Jocko Valley are merging households due to inflation costs and continued housing shortages.

Amid an ongoing recessionary climate, food pantries across the nation, including the Arlee CDC Food Resource Center, are facing unprecedented challenges as the cost of living continues to rise. With increases in the cost of food, fuel, and housing, coupled with the scarcity of affordable wage jobs in the area, more and more individuals and families are finding themselves struggling to make ends meet. As a result, the demand for food assistance has surged, placing immense pressure on food pantries to meet the growing needs of their communities. In this challenging landscape, the vital role of food pantries in providing essential support to vulnerable populations cannot be overstated, highlighting the urgent need for continued community support and resources to ensure that no one goes hungry.

With the summer gardening months ahead, we are planning this year’s Community Garden.
The Garden will support the pantry and its patients by alleviating some of the financial pressure, supplying produce to families and individuals, it will teach Valuable gardening and preserving skills. Last year’s garden had a total yield of 4,656.92 pounds of produce.

On behalf of the Food Resource Center, we are sincerely grateful for the donation.

Best regards.

Marie Corcoran-Kloberdanz
Food Pantry Coordinator

This year I received the pay it forward card and I gave it to a local family who's child has been battling cancer. I was told as of early April that after a lot of chemo and a bone marrow transplant that her biopsy came back showing no signs of cancer. The family was very thankful for the card.

This year I was fortunate enough to receive a Pay it forward card and I was able to help a family in desperate need. This family fell on some really hard times and would never ask for help but I could see they needed someone to reach out with a helping hand and with the Washington Pay it forward card I was able to accomplish that... thank you to the Washington Corp for all the things you do for our communities.

Giving to the Vanessa Behan organization is a meaningful way to support vulnerable children and families in our community. By contributing to their cause, we're providing crucial assistance to those facing crisis situations, including abuse, neglect, or financial hardship. The donation directly funds essential services like shelter, counseling, and medical care, offering these individuals a chance at a brighter future.

Supporting Vanessa Behan is an investment in the well-being of our society as a whole. Research demonstrates that early intervention and support can lead to long-term positive outcomes, reducing the burden on social services and fostering a more resilient community.

Ultimately, giving to Vanessa Behan is a powerful expression of empathy and solidarity. It demonstrates our collective commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive and that no family is left to struggle alone.

I gifted my Pay it Forward gift card to two young coaches and teachers in the Missoula community. As young college students, they were asked at the 11th hour to take over the Loyola Sacred Heart volleyball program. The program had muddled through 6 different coaches in 6 years, and unfortunately, many of these coaches were too young and immature to take on the responsibilities of leading a competitive high school program. Coach Walsh and Coach O were young themselves with virtually no coaching experience, but unlike their predecessors, they took this challenge on with unmatched maturity and intensity. Their tireless efforts and hundreds of hours spent with the girls, devoted to the program, turned a rudderless program into a winning program in less than 2 years. They raised the bar for the program, the players, and the expectations therein. They transformed a lackluster program accustomed to losing into a competitive, winning program that was never satisfied with the status quo. Most importantly and again unlike many before them, they have served as outstanding role models for these young women and have also illustrated the adage - if you put in the work, good things happen. I am so happy to share this little gift of appreciation to these amazing young women who have given so much of their lives to our kids!

Thank you Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation for such an amazing opportunity to share in the Pay It Forward program. There are so many needs in all our circles of community so it can be hard to decide who or what to donate to when you’re selected.

This year I heard a story of little Annabell through my daughter-in-law where her mom is a friend of Annabell’s grandma. Because I have two grandchildren who are very close in age with Annabell, it hit home on how precious life is and how often we take that for granted. Annabell’s family found that she had a mass approximately the size of a pool ball this past November. It was on the left lobe, so after they remove a piece of her skull, the tumor would be visible for removal.

Surgery was successful, the neurosurgeon believes he got all the tumor out. Yet this poor little thing has had to endured chemotherapy, various transfusions and currently is now preparing for radiation treatments. Annabell has 2 older siblings so you can imagine it’s been quite the journey for this young family. The Pay It Forward donation has been a huge blessing as you’ll see from the words written by Annabell’s grandma.

Dori Jenkins here at Modern Machinery shared the story of little Annabell with me.

Annabell’s family found that she had a mass approximately the size of a pool ball this past November. It was on the left lobe, so after they remove a piece of her skull, the tumor would be visible for removal. Surgery was successful, the neurosurgeon believes he got all the tumor out. Yet this poor little thing has had to endured chemotherapy, various transfusions and currently is now preparing for radiation treatments. Annabell has 2 older siblings so you can imagine it’s been quite the journey for this young family.

I am grateful to be given the opportunity by the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation as part of the Pay It Forward program to help Annabell's family in their time of need. I cannot imagine the stress and fear this young family has been going through. Annabell is a lovely child, the family's faith is strong, and they have an amazing support group.

Thank you, Dori for sharing Annabell's story with me. The Pay It Forward donation has been a huge blessing as you’ll see from the words written by Annabell’s grandmother.

Thank you, Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation! I have decided to donate the $500 towards purchasing supplies for arts and crafts and STEM sessions for the 2024 Clinton School summer camp happening in June. My daughter Jenna (17) and I have decided to double the impact of your gift by volunteering our time during that week. Clinton School is a K-8 school located outside of Missoula with 223 students, 51% of whom qualify for free or reduced lunches.

In past summer camps, students participated in 6 stations, including 2 Reading, 2 Math, Science/Writing, and 2 STEM. Their day was brimming with enriching experiences, complete with breakfast, lunch, library time, and even bonus musical enjoyment. Activities ranged from drawing nature scenes outside to exploring bugs and flowers under the microscope, learning about money and designing their future restaurant menu, learning mathematics with dominoes, building robots and volcanoes, and constructing various STEM structures.

Jenna and I are excited to work with the Clinton teachers and paraprofessionals to help organize an unforgettable camp experience for 2024.

Thank you again, your generosity will undoubtedly make a difference in the lives of these young learners.

This giving card provided a family the cost of traveling to Seattle Washington for complex pediatric medical needs. This mother was stuck between working enough over-time to afford the trip and in doing so, would lose her assistance needed for her medically needy child. Luckily we were able to help this family travel without mom worrying about losing assistance by working over-time to afford this necessary trip.

I paid it forward to Anaconda Community Involvement (ACI Inc.). ACI host Anaconda Leadership Academy annually with approximately 60-70 high school students. Each year the students participate in two community service days. One of the community service days this year included making soup bags for Project Care, the food bank in Anaconda. The students and staff were able to create over 275 bags of soup, this ended up being one of the largest donations to the Anaconda Food Bank so far this year.

The Anaconda Leadership Academy is one of many programs that are facilitated by ACI. To find out more information on ACI, https://acimontana.org/

I used the gift card to purchase materials to replace a large section of privacy fence at my child's daycare, and spent the weekend digging post holes, pouring concrete, and replacing the fencing to shore up a section and add a large chalk board that the kids can play with.

I used my card to donate to the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) for Parkinson's Research. This organization uses donations to research and develop Parkinson's Disease treatments and therapies. I chose to donate to this non-profit organization due to a member of my family being recently diagnosed with the disease. After seeing how it has affected them since the diagnosis and learning about the disease through research, I found the MJFF to be a good choice of recipient to continue their research and development not only to the benefit of my family but all of those with Parkinson's and those who continue to be diagnosed every day.

I want to thank the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation for having this opportunity to give back and donate to causes or individuals who are in need of support.

Funds were given to a teenager travelling to Kenya to visit an orphanage that provides aid and education for orphans in Kenya. The orphanage was started by a person saved from the streets and started rescuing orphans in his own home. The foundation expanded over the last 30 years and had significant impact throughout Kenya. Through this group's efforts over 13,000 street children have been removed from the street environment and now live productive and meaningful lives. The teens trip will be for approximately two weeks.

There was a former Wash corp employee that fell on some tough times involving family and medical bills. This card was given to them in order to help with everyday expenses while healing.