EVERETT — The giving spirit is alive and well in Everett.
Hundreds of people offered to help Ryan Lindley, a 26-year-old Everett Community College student living in his van, after he was featured in The Herald on Friday.
They offered cash and low-cost used vans and a room to stay.
One local company’s chief executive has pledged $1,000 a month for homeless students at Everett Community College, counselor John Meyer said. The CEO told Meyer the concept of homeless students never occurred to her.
“The college is so grateful for the outpouring of offers of help from the community,” Meyer said.
Lindley is just one student struggling, he said. There are others.
Meyer mentioned one single mother, an immigrant, who didn’t qualify for financial aid because she already has a degree in traditional music from her home country. That degree, while worthless in the U.S., disqualifies her for federal grants.
Those who want to help can donate cash, gift cards or in-kind gifts to an emergency fund. People can earmark donations for homeless students or they can earmark gifts just for Lindley, Meyer said. Monday, the college created a committee to help prioritize which students would get help first based on need.
Gifts to individual students aren’t tax deductible.
Those interested can mail a donation Everett Community College Foundation, 2000 Tower St., Everett WA 98201, or contact John Olson, executive director of the foundation, at 425-388-9555.
Lindley said he is grateful for the help, and it looks like he’ll be out of the van soon.
Meyer said Lindley’s financial aid should be in any day.
Debra Smith: 425-339-3197, dsmith@heraldnet.com.
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