Snow storm leads Community Aid to seek support

By Matthew Nash • February 27, 2019 1:30 am
Windermere Real Estate brokers in Sequim recently donated $1,000 to Sequim Community Aid to help the local, non-profit 501(c)3, donor-based organization provide emergency financial support with rent and utilities. Pictured from left, are Alan Burwell, Kylie Walters, Marcee Medgin, Carol Dana, Jessica Warriner, Andrew Bradshaw, Dianna DaSilva, Dave Sharman, Cathy Reed, Joel Miller, Kathy Suta, president of Sequim Community Aid, Dollie Sparks, Jody McLean, and Sheryl Payseno Burley. Photo courtesy of Windermere Sequim
Windermere Real Estate brokers in Sequim recently donated $1,000 to Sequim Community Aid to help the local, non-profit 501(c)3, donor-based organization provide emergency financial support with rent and utilities. Pictured from left, are Alan Burwell, Kylie Walters, Marcee Medgin, Carol Dana, Jessica Warriner, Andrew Bradshaw, Dianna DaSilva, Dave Sharman, Cathy Reed, Joel Miller, Kathy Suta, president of Sequim Community Aid, Dollie Sparks, Jody McLean, and Sheryl Payseno Burley. Photo courtesy of Windermere Sequim

A recent donation by Windermere Sequim to Sequim Community Aid highlights a growing need for support following the recent snow storm.

Kathy Suta, president of Sequim Community Aid, said she and other volunteers anticipate that in the next few months they’ll see a high request for utility and rental payment assistance.

“We know as we recover from the snow we’re going to get hit with a lot of calls,” she said. “Along with heating bills going up, kids were home from school, so they weren’t able to access free and reduced lunches at school. So that all hits the budget.”

Windermere Real Estate brokers in Sequim heard Suta speak at a meeting of the Sequim Association of Realtors and this week donated $1,000 to help.

Last year, Suta said the nonprofit helped about 200 families — 304 adults and 174 children — with utilities and rent.

“We hope to be able to assist even more this year,” she said.

She told Realtors and brokers that Community Aid on average gives $200 per home but they cut back last spring to $150 after seeing an increased need in the community.

Suta said they’ve gone as high as $300 in recent years but some funding/grants are no longer available.

With 13 volunteers and only eight available to take calls for assistance, Suta said they continue to seek new volunteers.

Anyone seeking assistance or to volunteer, can call 360-681-3731, email sca@olypen.com and/or visit sequimcommunityaid.com.

History of support

Sequim Community Aid formed in 1947 to provide emergency assistance to families and individuals when their most basic needs are in jeopardy ranging from rent to rental deposits to utility costs.

Suta said they recently helped a couple living in a car secure a rental with financial assistance as they were working minimum wage jobs and were having trouble saving the needed amount.

They also helped a man raising three teenagers by himself pay his rent after he helped his children start school.

Suta said they have a large referral list so when Sequim residents need more assistance than Community Aid can provide, volunteers refer them to other agencies and churches, too, including this man who received new clothing for his children from a church.

Sequim Community Aid helps all types of Sequim residents ranging from single parents on limited income to disable individuals living solely on Social Security.

To make a donation to Sequim Community Aid, send checks to “Sequim Community Aid, P.O. Box 1591, Sequim, WA, 98382.” All donations go directly to the landlord or utility company.