Here in Puget Sound country, the ad hoc coalition of public and private entities led by our DSHS department are working as hard as they can, but there's a lot of need and we have to fill in where things get missed.
As I volunteer with SCM Medical Missions, I have learned three items in particular are both useful and in short supply
- Bicycles and bike helmets: these enable mobility!
- Sewing machines and supplies: these enable self-help (most of the families prefer making their own anyway)
- Laptop computers: these enable learning the language (using public wifi - most hosing doesn't come with internet access).
None of us can do everything but all of us can do something. I put the word out among my friends and was rewarded with two sewing machines. I got a third machine from Amazon using some credits that had sat around too long (I rarely buy from Amazon) and took my tax refund to RePC to get a used-but-functional laptop. These all went into service the same day I delivered them to the Center in Renton.
This week, putting the word out netted two laptops and a printer, all from my friends at DAV Chapter 23 - thanks you all!
Then it was time to go shopping. I stopped by RePC in Tukwila and got a Windows 10 laptop for $100. Today I stopped at St. Vincent's in Burien and was delighted to learned it had a half price sale, so I got 8 bike helmets ($3 each at half price) and 3 sewing machines (about $25 each at half price). Who doesn't love a sale! And I had never before walked out of a store with 8 bike helmets and 3 sewing machines - have you?
If you want to contribute to my next shopping trip, contact me. With something like 1000 families resettling, we need a lot of laptops! And I can get you a 501c3 tax ID for your taxes.
If you have something to donate but are out of the area, dm me and I'll research the Resettlement Agency nearest to you - I'm sure they have the same issues because people are pretty much the same all over.
If you want to learn more about particulars, you have see the recording of my January 27 Continuing Legal Education program at this link (free registration required, but you can give it all zeros for information if you don't want to be contacted.)
I stopped by RePC I suppose I should try to do some sort of fundraiser.
- Bike helmets: $6
- Sewing machines: $30-50
- RePC laptops: $100-$200
Then there's St. Vinny's. They had a half-price sale so I got 8 bicycle helmets (all sizes - some kids, some adults) and 3 (three!) sewing machines. Wow!
I stopped by RePC in Tukwila and got a $100 used laptop.
I'll spend this week testing stuff, initializing the laptops etc, and thendeliver them on Friday. Then Saturday we start the cycle over.
I suppose I should try to do some sort of fundraiser.
- Bike helmets: $6
- Sewing machines: $30-50
- RePC laptops: $100-$200
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