While we personally and collectively struggle with the effects of COVID-19 in our families, our neighborhoods and our towns, this terrible pandemic’s continuing shadow certainly does not dim the bright light of kindness and generosity that continues to shine in the Snoqualmie Valley.
I see great examples of residents making sure that they support our amazing nonprofits and charities in the valley and beyond. These groups are dedicated to help support people that are facing hardship, to enhance the community through arts, music, history and culture — not to mention those that help care for the beautiful land that we so love. This collective ethos makes our valley a special place to live, work and play.
The national initiative “Giving Tuesday” is Dec. 1. Having been entwined in the valley over the years, I cannot help but to interact, partner, donate to and be inspired by so many wonderful groups. Due to the pandemic, many of these folks are also struggling. As we look at the remainder of the year and the holiday season, don’t forget to try to help out and donate to these and many other groups. Just off the top of my head, here are a few by category. If I miss any, please feel free to reach out to me and tell me about your group.
Community service and fraternal service groups: Kiwanis Club of Snoqualmie Valley, Snoqualmie Valley Rotary Club, Unity Lodge, Falls City Lodge, Royal Arch Masons of WA, Sallal Grange, Moose Lodge, Eagles Lodge/Eerie, Snoqualmie Community Action Network, Friends of Youth Snoqualmie, Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank, Fall City Community Food Pantry, The Adra P. Berry Memorial Food Bank, Carnation’s Hopelink office, Fall City Community Association.
Business: Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce, Historic Downtown Snoqualmie Association, North Bend Downtown Association, North Bend Education and Cultural Association, Snoqualme Valley Women in Business.
History: Northwest Railroad Museum, Fall City Historical Society, Snoqualmie Valley Historical Society.
Military veterans: American Legion, Eastside Firefighters Pipes and Drums.
Music and arts: Black Dog Arts Coalition, Boxley Music Fund, North Bend Arts and Industry, North Bend Community Theatre, Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theatre, Fall City Arts Association, Mount Si Artists Guild/Art Gallery of SnoValley, North Bend Film Festival, Valley Center Stage. Plus multiple art galleries and our fun friends at Night on a Dark Trail.
Senior and children’s services: Encompass, Mount Si Senior Center, Snoqualmie Valley YMCA.
Nature, outdoors, sports: Friends of Snoqualmie River Trails, Meadowbrook Farm Preservation Association, Si View Community Foundation (Si View Parks District), The Trail Youth of Snoqualmie Valley, Friends of Fall City Parks, Raging River Conservation Group, Sno-King Hockey of Snoqualmie and others.
Animal welfare: Valley Animal Partners, Upper Snoqualmie Valley Elk Management, Mount Si Fish and Game Club.
Education: Snoqualmie Valley PTSA, Snoqualmie Valley Schools Foundation. Not to forget the multiple schools, booster clubs, band clubs, etc.
Plus groups dedicated to our local libraries, churches, ministerial groups, the King County Hospital District (Snoqualmie Valley Hospital), choirs, animals (elk, equine, dogs and cats), water/community associations, sports, wrestling, bikes, unicycle, rifles/marksmanship, trails/hiking, and last but not least, the Snoqualmie Sister Cities Association and the Snoqualmie Valley Garden Club.
You can check out all nonprofit corporations and charities in the state on the Washington Secretary of State’s website. Go to corporations search (most nonprofits) and charity/fundraiser/trust search at http://ccfs.sos.wa.gov.
In this oh, so different holiday season and in the hopefully better New Year, I urge you to give time, treasure, kindness, goods, voice, talent and wisdom to these and other groups in the valley.
Each in their own way, they inspire, lift up, connect and heal while they scatter joy and peace.
Let us give them wings.
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William Shaw is general manager of the Snoqualmie Valley Record. Contact wshaw@valleyrecord.com or 425-453-2710.
