Pay It Forward Stories 2020

I gave my card to LINKS for Learning, the after school and summer program in Livingston. They put it towards summer supplies which have increased due to COVID-19 safety protocols. Supplies they will purchase include extra cleaning/sanitation supplies, individual school supplies to limit shared supplies and help maintain social distancing protocols.
Over 55% of those children who attend LINKS qualify for Free or Reduced priced meals and are from low-income households. All the children's parents are working and are in need of a safe, fun place for their children to be while they are at work.
This $500 will go a long way in helping Livingston's economy while supporting the well-being and development of the children. Thank you!

The card Was giving to a family who is less fortunate for bills and or groceries.

In light of the covid pandemic and all of the local families that may be out of work and on hard times. I chose to donate to the Missoula food bank to try and keep it here in Missoula. I hope it helps.

This year I donated the $500 gift card to the Coburg Community Food Pantry. Due to the Coronavirus causing the economy to falter, my wife and I figured there would be many people needing help with acquiring food. The volunteers were very grateful for the donation, and wanted me to pass along a big thank-you to the Washington family for providing this. Thank-you for the opportunity to help others from the community in which I live.

I was able to once again purchase a bow from Hoyt Archery with the $500.00 gift card. The bow has a value of $1200.00. The bow is donated to the Shoot for the Cure/Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer fundraiser. This is a archery shoot in Townsend, MT. It is always held in July so I do not know how much the bow will sell for this year. The past few times I have donated bows to this fundraiser and they have been able to auction the bow off for $1,000.00 - $1,500.00. So the $500 end up to be $1,000.00 - $1,500.00. Both my Mom and my Sister had breast cancer so I am always trying to find ways to donate to Shoot for the Cure.

I gave my card to Child Bridge, a nonprofit Christian organization in Montana that seeks to place at risk children into families of faith for foster care with the potential for adoption. 4,000 children are in foster care in Montana. Child Bridge was established in Montana 10 years ago and has found homes for Over 1,100 children. In 2019, they placed nearly 500 children into foster families. They work very closely with families who are looking to get into foster care, with a heavy emphasis on the difficulties of family dynamics in bringing children in crisis into your home. They want potential foster families to be fully aware of all of downside risks in fostering a child/children. They walk alongside foster families to provide resources, encouragement, instruction, counseling, and connections with other foster families. They do not seek or accept any government funding. Their support comes purely from churches and private individuals and organizations.

My sister-in-law is a nurse at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson, Montana, so she always has stories that put anything that is going on in my life in perspective. There was one story, one family, and one miracle of a little girl that instantly came to mind when I was selected for the Pay It Forward Giving Card.

Evelyn Sue Anne Wilson was born on June 17, 2019. She was a healthy, beautiful little girl and no one knew the journey she would be on in a matter of days. Less than a week after she was born, her health began deteriorating at home and she was taken to the ER. She then had to life flight to Sacred Sacred Heart Children's Hospital in Spokane, WA in critical condition. In the following days, her health continued to decline as doctors tried everything they could to restore her health. She finally received a diagnosis and was placed on a pediatric transplant list, with a 1a status which is of the greatest need. On September 18th, Evelyn's family received the news that she would be receiving her new heart that day. When describing that moment, her mom said, "I can't even describe the feelings. Elated, relieved. Evelynn was going to live." After months spent in the hospital recovering and being monitored by doctors and nurses, she was finally discharged to go home, back to Montana.

Her family was generous enough to share many more details of her story with me and I truly cannot do Evelyn's story justice. She has been so strong and beating the odds with an adorable smile on her face the whole time. I used my giving card for Evelyn and her family to purchase basic necessities. The picture includes one of the items purchased, a wagon, that makes going to doctor's appointments, the grocery store, and life in general easier, as she still has medical equipment she needs with her at all times.

THANK YOU to the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation for the giving card and the opportunity to pay it forward in my community.

I used the money at Sams Club to purchase items To help people in the community of Laurel who were effected by the Covid-19 virus.

I donated my card to local youth organizations. These cards help with equipment and field rentals.

Picking a person or entity to give the giving card to is always a difficult decision. There are so many worthy causes. This year I gave the card to the Jefferson Valley Community Foundation. They used the funds to help pay for several different projects like the reading program at the local Whitehall Library and equipment for the search and rescue.

I donated my giving card to the River Valley Saddle Club. River Valley Saddle Club is a non-profit horse club that participates in O-Mok-See (games on horseback). A lot of the young riders don't have access to helmets and they are not required to be worn at our events. The gift card was used to purchase helmets and awards for a play day to promote the sport of O-Mok-See and safety. The club really appreciated the generosity of the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation.

We met a single dad in our neighborhood who had been struggling since he was laid off due to COVID. We gave him a $100 gift card to Walmart. I also was told about a single mom with 5 kids who a friend of mine delivered food to thru the the food bank. We anonymously dropped off a card to her with a $400 gift card to Walmart.

Both my husband and I have worked from home for the past 13 weeks due to COVID and its been very challenging. I can't imagine being a single-parent and having to figure out work and childcare all on your own. They are heroes!!

We picked a local family here in Frenchtown that we know of, we don’t know them well but we have great respect for them…. They have 2 children, son 15 and daughter 14. The father served in the military and has some health issues related to that. Then 2 years ago the son was diagnosed with meningitis, and was airlifted to Seattle to undergo brain surgery. He spent a couple months over there recovering. Since then they have traveled back to Seattle numerous times for more surgeries. Since they have had a difficult time removing all of the infection from his skull and body. Then last fall, their daughter started to experience some medical issues that had her in the hospital too. It has been a stress full couple of years.
A big reason we choice this family was because of how humble they have remained. I thought it was beneficial for my children to see the process of paying it forward, and to help someone in our community we knew. A family that was humble and not asking for help when we knew there was need for help. A local family that had served our country.

During this unprecedented time with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, I have chosen to donate tablets to a local school district to help elementary students access their school work. Schools around the world have had to cancel in-person learning and the attendance of classes due to the spread of the virus and to abide by social distancing protocol. Remote learning has continued online, however, the problem is not all students have an internet accessible device to use at home. With this donation students in need have received tablets so they can access their online classrooms and complete their assignments. During a time of such anxiety and uncertainty, I am thankful to have the opportunity to contribute to the schools and help make student learning possible.

We used the pay it forward funds along with a personal donation to purchase car seats and clothing. We donated the items to our local Child and Family Services Division. Being Foster/Adoptive parents, we couldn't think of a more deserving organization that serves the children in our community. Thank you for this opportunity.

The original intent was for the Potomac School 8th graders to use the PIF card on their 8th grade capstone trip to a marine biology institute on Catalina Island. The card would supplement the class' fundraising. But with the COVID-19 pandemic, the class was unable to go on their scheduled trip.

The Potomac School Board used the fundraising money to purchase a MacBook laptop for each 8th grader. We then used the PIF card to purchase MacBook covers and accessories for each 8th grader. Now every Potomac 8th grader is set for high school with a great laptop, cover and accessories.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to help the Potomac 8th grade class in a very unusual situation.

I used my giving card to support 4 different organizations or groups of people.
American Childhood Cancer Organization Inland Northwest is one I will always give to for the rest of my life. I give a monthly donation and always an happy to donate more when I can. Their support for families with children diagnosed with cancer is unmatched. They supported my family after my 4 year old niece was diagnosed and continue to offer support even 7 years after Marleigh's death. I participated in a gift card fundraiser where I bought gift cards from local restaurants (Barnwood Social Kitchen & Tavern, Froyo) that will be given to these families previously mentioned. It was a great way to support our local businesses in need and also a wonderful organization helping families.
Support Your Local Everything is an organization that has started since the beginning of COVID-19 to help businesses in need in our area. We have had a number of permanent business closures but maybe some have been saved due to this organization.
The Great PNW is a clothing company that created a fund raiser to support service industry members in the NW who have disproportionately been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Black Lives Matter Global Network is an organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, we are winning immediate improvements in our lives.

Our 13 year old granddaughter, Rain, was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in February of this year, right as the COVID-19 crisis hit their area in Seattle. Our son was laid off due to the virus and because they are located at ground zero for the American part of the outbreak, they were forced to rent a second home to have Rain and her mother quarantined and next to the hospital while she is going through 25 weeks of chemotherapy and at least one 5 week round of radiation. Her major surgery to remove the nearly foot long tumor will be in the middle of June. They are using the funds to provide meals while in the hospital as they aren't covered by insurance for our daughter in law, and Rain has been too nauseated by the hospital food and needs outside meals brought in. They have two other kiddos at home with our son as well. We used the Pay It Forward program to help alleviate some of the difficulty that they are going through at this unstable and scary time of their lives. With the generosity of the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, we were able to take one less worry off the shoulders of a young family who is working hard to get through the most difficult time of their lives. Dean has worked on the shovel crew at MT Resources for many years and has been blessed to Pay It Forward to several families in need, and we can't be more grateful for the opportunity to extend it to our own beloved family. The picture included is of our beautiful granddaughter Rain right before treatment began.

I am so thankful that I was chosen to part of the Dennis and & Phyllis Washington foundation pay it forward. I chose to give my card to Opportunity Resources. Opportunity resources is a local non-profit in Missoula Montana whose goal is the enhance the lives of people with disabilities and help keep communities inclusive. I worked at Opportunity Resources for 3 years and during that time I got know may of the clients who receive services. These clients are so thankful, excited and appreciative for even the smallest act of kindness. Opportunity Resources provides housing, employment, education and a real sense of belonging to the Missoula community. These funds will go a long way to help individuals with disabilities. I am so thankful to be part of such a great giving program.

The giving card was used for the charity One Community One Family

Our mission is to provide support at diagnosis to cancer patients in the Skagit Valley Community. We believe most people are not fully prepared for the overwhelming emotional and physical changes, as well as financial hardships, during this time. Our volunteers are dedicated to the long term success of this grant program through ongoing donations and fundraising efforts.

My family and I would like to thank the Dennis & Phyllis Washington foundation for allowing us to participate in the 2020 Pay it forward program. We decided to pay it forward to Montana on a Mission (MOM). Montana on a Mission exists to encourage people to live out the love of Jesus Christ by coming alongside impoverished or marginalized people to improve their physical condition and ultimately impact their spiritual lives. Montana on a Mission (MOM) is a Christian charitable organization under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Sometimes disasters are small and localized to a family or community (fire or drought) and sometimes they are so widespread recovery seems impossible. In response to needs related to the Coronavirus pandemic, MOM is currently responding to some short term crisis needs. Here in Montana, some folks need a little extra help to get by this month until they get the green light to get back to work. Sometimes that means paying a utility bill, medical bill or a month of rent.
In Kenya and the Philippines, a widespread shutdown has rendered many of the most vulnerable people – widows, orphans, day workers without an income for the foreseeable future. MOM is responding with emergency food relief and handwashing supplies to keep families alive.
MONTANA ON A MISSION VALUES:
·God loves us and the proof of his love is Jesus Christ. MOM believes that each person ultimately finds their needs met in a relationship with Jesus Christ and we follow his model in caring for people by meeting physical needs and pointing out our need for a relationship with God through Jesus.
·MOM recognize that God’s leading is important and therefore they sustain this ministry with prayer.
·MOM recognizes that they are stewards and trustees of God’s resources and people’s trust so they strive to have the highest ethical standards in finances and relationships.
·MOM recognizes the importance of taking on projects that are sustainable over a long period of time. Therefore they will invest time, energy and resources into projects that are of the highest quality, reproducible and economically sound. MOM will also seek to implement ways of expanding and lengthening impact in the people and communities they invest in.
·MOM believes in coming alongside people to help them help themselves so they enter into partnerships which make this possible.
·Humility is one of MOM's most important values. MOM believes they are fellow learners, friends, and co-workers.
·MOM believes that the road to success means creating a model which can be used in other places. While no two situations are exactly alike, there are things that MOM believes are transferable and that there are models which can help them help more people.
As MOM plans and prepares for future mission trips, they believe it is important for each of them to keep these values in mind, particularly the first two because they lay the foundation for God’s work in us and through us.

This year the charitable donation was given to a couple that lost both of there jobs due to covid-19. I was speaking to the couple on a trail while on a hike and I asked them how's it going. After a few words I found out that they had both been payed off due to the virus. So I reached into my wallet and gave them you card. And told them they have 500 to spend on what ever they would like.

I am so grateful to receive this pay it forward Gift. I am choosing to pay it forward to the Race track volunteer fire department. I am choosing RTVFD for their dedication to the Butte community not only in emergency response but to the safety of children in the community with their fire safety trailer. Most of RTVFD‘s new equipment is provided by grants and some city supported tax dollars, but any funding after grants for the fire safety trailer and day-to-day operations and equipment replacement is funded through donations and fundraising which is all dependent on the already highly involved volunteers of this department. This department is very near and dear to my heart because my father Volunteered at RTVFD for over 30 years and still continues to help the department, I have also volunteered at Racetrack since I was 18 years old. I was so happy to receive the pay it forward this year it means so much to me! Thank you Dennis and Phyllis Washington for always thinking about our local community!

I decided to buy 2 $250.00 gift cards for two struggling families in Carbon County were my familty and I reside. With everything going on in the country these past few months, there were 2 families in particular that I thought needed this assistance. It is such a great program and nice to be able to help families struggling in my community. They did ask to keep their last names anonymous. The pay it forward money was to be used for groceries and supplies. One family needed a tablet for one of their younger daughter as well. Thanks again for letting us be a part of this very giving program.

I chose to give my card to a local veteran that is battling cancer. He has limited family, and lives on a fixed income.