In the aftermath of Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Americans stepped up with unprecedented generosity, opening their hearts and pocketbooks to aid the victims and their families. It didn’t matter that the tragedies took place on the opposite side of the country, many local residents, even those who could ill afford to help, sent cash and checks or called in contributions to numerous fund raisers using their credit cards.
It’s hard to fathom that the events of just over 100 days ago — disconnected from our community by time and space — could have such a dramatic impact on the lives of our neighbors in need. A dramatic dip in the economy followed in the wake of the tragedy, causing businesses to cut staff and in many cases, leaving local charities in the cold.
United Way of Snohomish County’s fund drive, which is vital to meet social service needs locally, has certainly felt the chill. Although the totals won’t be certain until February, the agency’s Mark Todd said projections suggest that the campaign will just barely draw $10 million in pledges for 2002. A year ago, the total was just over $11 million, a figure that had been exceeded the two previous years as well.
Although there is certainly a minor influence from extending help to 9-11 families, the key factors are simply the local layoffs and the state of the economy, Todd said. Those who can give did so more than in the past: The average pledge for 2002 is up about 5 percent. Layoffs at Boeing drove down the donations from employees to the still-impressive figure of $3.2 million, and the company held its donation steady at $803,000. The combined Boeing employee and company total of $4 million is, Todd said, "just a wonderful result. I’ve got to tell you, we were all cheering."
Deep concern for the community is also reflected in the donations to by federal employees in Snohomish County to the hundreds of local and national charities covered by the Combined Federal Campaign, whose drive was administered locally by United Way. The federal employees raised their giving by close to 25 percent, Todd said. And consider, among many examples, the generosity of the crew of the USS Paul Foster: their pledges went up 169 percent.
Over at Christmas House, early indicators pointed toward a relatively typical year as cash donations in October and November were on pace with year’s past. Unfortunately, donations of hard goods such as coats, blankets and toys have been light and they’re scraping by on a day to day basis at this point.
Donations to Toys for Tots are down nearly 50 percent from a year ago, resulting in delayed or cancelled holiday parties at the South Everett Youth Center and the Boys and Girls Clubs.
We only have a few more days until Christmas — still plenty of time to help those in need. But individuals and families will have to keep the holiday spirit of giving alive throughout 2002 and beyond.
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