The Hanford Feeding Families Fundraiser has raised over $50,000 for Second Harvest’s COVID-19 Response Fund. Online donations totaling $51,360 have been received as of 12:00 p.m. today.

The online fundraiser was held May 18-27 in response to an urgent increase in demand for basic food needs throughout the Columbia Basin due to the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the growing demand for food, the Hanford Prime Contractors and their labor union partners, HAMTC and the Central Washington Building Trades, joined to raise money for Second Harvest through the Hanford Feeding Families Fundraiser.

“The generous and immediate response of Hanford contractor employees and union members will help meet the increased need for food in communities throughout the Columbia Basin and Yakima Valley,” said Jason Clark, president and CEO of Second Harvest. “Amidst the uncertainty that the COVID-19 crisis has brought to our community, the One Hanford team stepped up to help ensure that access to healthy food remains stable for those most affected during these difficult times. Our thanks for giving the gift of food and hope to our neighbors in need.”

“I am extremely grateful to all the contributors and to the Hanford team of contractors for supporting the fundraiser to help feed those in need,” said Peter Bengtson, representative for the team. “Partnering with Second Harvest, especially during these unprecedented times caused by the pandemic, shows us what can be done when we work together to tackle a tangible need in our community.”

The One Hanford organizers set a goal of raising $50,000. Those organizations involved in the fundraising included Amentum, Bechtel, CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation Company, HPMC Occupational Medical Services, Mission Support Alliance, Washington River Protection Solutions, HAMTC and Central Washington Building Trades.

Those interested in supporting the Hanford Feeding Families Fundraiser can donate at 2-harvest.org/onehanford through June 2.

After considering numerous options to host Independence Day events that would adhere to state and health department guidelines amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, it has been determined to postpone events that had been scheduled for July 4th.

The Carousel Foundation Board of Directors, its sponsors and City of Kennewick officials have elected to postpone the River of Fire Fireworks display until 2021. The City of Pasco has cancelled the Grand Old 4th Parade and is postponing the Fireworks show at the GESA Stadium to a later date in 2020, date to be determined.

Each city has different restrictions on the use of personal fireworks. The use of personal fireworks are banned in the City of Kennewick and while some personal fireworks are permitted within the cities of Pasco, Richland, and West Richland, there are restrictions on the types of fireworks authorized.

• Kennewick: www.go2kennewick.com
• Pasco: www.pasco-wa.gov
• Richland: www.ci.richland.wa.us
• West Richland: https://www.westrichland.org/
  
  

Each City strongly encourages the community to follow the guidelines within each jurisdiction. It is predicted that this summer will be hotter and dryer than normal. Safety is paramount in eliminating fires from ​fireworks, eliminating injuries from fireworks, and eliminating the impact of fireworks on pets.

On Tuesday, June 9th, the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation will host its 20th Annual Cancer Crushing Breakfast virtually starting at 8:00AM. The entire community is invited to attend.

The virtual breakfast will give the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation an opportunity to share the progress of the Cancer Center and to raise funds in support of cancer patients and their families. Participants will enjoy a can’t miss presentation as the Foundation shares exciting updates in cancer care for our region. Make an Investment. Make an Impact. If interested in attending as an individual or being a table host, please call our Foundation office at (509) 737-3373. Reservations are required by Tuesday, June 2nd. Participants will also be able to pick-up a breakfast at one of five convenient Tri-Cities locations prior to joining the virtual event.

The Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation Breakfast is generously sponsored by Leidos and Centerra, parent companies of Mission Support Alliance. All funds raised stay local and provide valuable non-reimbursed cancer programs and services for patients, their families, and the community.
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The Foundation provides Support Services for individuals in our community, which are instrumental in helping patients and their families deal with the diagnosis of cancer. We offer assistance in understanding treatment options; dealing with the side effects of treatment; coping with the feelings and questions of family and friends; and understanding how to talk to a child about the diagnosis of cancer. Our desire is to address the needs of patients and their families not covered by insurance. In addition, we offer the Ralph R. Peterson Library (cancer resource library), free community cancer screenings, rehabilitation, our Palliative Care and Survivorship programs, a Resource Center to address the unique needs of cancer patients and so much more. We offer numerous non-reimbursed services and education, which are available to those affected by cancer in our region no matter where they are receiving their treatment. These offerings are funded through the generous community support of the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation.

Three Rivers Community Foundations COVID-19 Response Fund continues to grow, and to date 16 grants have been made to support critical nonprofit services. Earlier this month Three Rivers Community Foundation (3RCF) launched the fund to provide a quick-turnaround grant opportunity for 501c3 nonprofits who are responding to the various needs in our community due to the impact of COVID-19. The fund was seeded with $50,000 from anonymous fundholders and has grown with additional donations to almost $74,000. 3RCF is pleased to announce that with two rounds of funding totaling over $45,000 has been distributed in Benton and Franklin counties. At least one more round of funding is available. The fund is open for contributions and additional grants will be made on a rolling basis as long as funds are available and 100% of funds raised will be used locally. 

“As we receive applications it is clear that in Benton and Franklin counties nonprofits are responding with creativity and resourcefulness during this difficult time. Many more individuals and families need help than ever before, and organizations are adapting and going above and beyond to meet the growing needs. We thank our donors and fundholders for their gifts and their trust in Three Rivers Community Foundation. We are proud to support these organizations, who support us all” says Abbey Cameron, Executive Director. 

Grants Totaling $45,310 from Three Rivers Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund:

• Columbia Industries – Columbia Industries has adapted their Opportunity Kitchen program to use students in their job training program to provide meals for families in need. This grant supports food and supplies.  
• Heartlinks Hospice and Palliative Care – Provides funds for for Personal Protective Equipment Supplies for hospice and palliative care workers.
• Prosser Boys & Girls Club – Supports the costs of adapting their program to provide emergency care for children of essential workers.
• Communities in Schools of Benton-Franklin – Communities in Schools has adapted their program to help families in need across the school system and beyond. This grant supports food and supplies for care boxes for families.
• Support, Advocacy, & Resource Center – Supports temporary housing costs for survivors transitioning to restorative care or needing to safely quarantine. 
• Chaplaincy Health Care – Provides hospice medical supplies and personal protective equipment for Hospice House.
• Senior Life Resources – Meals on Wheels has seen a large increase in demand and has had to adapt their meals and delivery schedule. This grant supports food and supplies.
• Kennewick Police Foundation – Supports KPD’s Community Care Program, giving officers access to funds to assist community members with urgent needs.
• Safe Harbor Support Center – This grant support one month of supplies for the Family Assistance Program, providing hygiene and household supplies.
• Combat Veteran’s Motorcycle Association 11-6 – Supports food cards for veterans in need.
• Family Resource Center – Supports the delivery of food boxes to families without transportation as well as mask distribution.
• KC Help – Supports the supplies and equipment to adapt their medical supply lending program to meet CDC COVID-19 disinfecting standards.
• ARC of Tri-Cities – Supports purchase of “no-touch” thermometers and other supplies to be used throughout their facility and transportation program upon reopening. 
• Academy of Children’s Theater – This grant supports purchase of equipment and training to adapt programing to a virtual format.
• Partners for Early Learning – Supports operating costs so that programs can be ready to resume upon reopening. 
• Blue Mountain Council, Boy Scouts of America – This grant supports food and supplies to support the troops Islamic and Refugee support projects. 

The Board of Directors has established that the fund will support the following priorities:

• First priority – 501c3 organizations that provide critical services in the areas of food insecurity, housing, health, childcare, and mental health who are seeing an increase in demand for their services due to COVID-19
• Second priority – 501c3 organizations who have experienced significant loss in revenue due to COVID-19 which has impacted their ability to deliver programs and services

The application is available here. Information about contributing to the fund is available here. 

Do you know an administrative assistant that has handled the chaos of COVID-19 brilliantly? Nominate them for the “Handling Crisis Brilliantly” award. 

Here’s how:

1. Email your nomination to Peggy@PeggyVasquez.Net.  You can nominate your assistant, coworker, colleague, anyone you know (including yourself) that has shown brilliance during the COVID-19 challenge. 
2. Include a short story to highlight what the assistant has done.  Did they create a new process, provide an innovative idea, develop a methodology to keep their offices, projects and people they support functioning optimally?
3. Nominations are open until April 18, so get your nominations in today.  Want to make sure your nomination stands out?  Write a short, simple and impactful story.
   
   

Here’s what I’ll do:

1. I’ll read each story and share stories on social media during Administrative Professionals Week (April 20-25), if I’m flooded with stories, which I hope is the case, I’ll continue sharing the stories through May!
2. The winner will be announced on Administrative Professionals Day (April 22) and will be selected randomly.
   
   

The winner will receive the “NOT, Just An Admin!” premium bundle, including an autographed copy of the book, the t-shirt and bracelet! https://peggyvasquez.net/product/not-just-an-admin-premium-bundle/
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We are all facing this unprecedented time together.  It can be difficult to know what to do and where to turn and yet brilliant assistants everywhere are figuring it out.  Let’s show our appreciation and recognize them by submitting a nomination today.

The next seminar in Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Community Science and Technology Seminar Series, “Glass: A Common Material Solving An Uncommon Problem – How Do We Immobilize Nuclear Waste?” presented by Jaime George, Materials Scientist at PNNL, will take place on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at 7:00 p.m., via Zoom.

Learn about the work PNNL is doing to help solve one of the biggest challenges we face as a country – how do we safely immobilize nuclear waste for future generations? Waste vitrification, the process of turning waste into glass, is the technology selected on the Hanford site to clean up 50 million gallons of legacy waste. Learn how the glass melters work, why glass is a good candidate for waste immobilization, and some of the technical challenges we are tackling.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Community Science and Technology Seminar Series was launched to help the general public better understand and explore how science transforms our world. 

Those who are interested can register here.

The City of Kennewick Parks and Recreation Department and Gesa Carousel of Dreams announce the largest food truck event series in the area, Sunset at Southridge presented by Toyota of Tri-Cities and Retter and Company Sotheby's International Realty has been rescheduled for later this summer.

The event was set to kick off on June 5 but due to current and projected Washington State restrictions on large gatherings, the event will kick off August 21 and run every Friday through October 2 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Southridge Sports and Events Complex. This date change will allow the event to look and feel as close to normal as possible. Event organizers are hard at work securing vendors, booking entertainment and creating a safe and healthy event plan.

In these uncertain financial times we are so grateful that our sponsors Retter and Company Sotheby's International Realty and Toyota of Tri-Cities have stepped up to allow this highly anticipated event series to continue. Without their support this year, the event would have been cancelled.

Visit www.sunsetatsouthridge.com and check the Facebook page for weekly updates.

Southridge Sports and Events Complex is located at 2901 Southridge Blvd.

Second Harvest is facing an urgent increase in demand for basic food needs throughout the Columbia Basin due to the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the growing demand for food, the Hanford Prime Contractors and their labor union partners, HAMTC and the Central Washington Building Trades, are joining to raise money for Second Harvest through the Hanford Feeding Families Fundraiser.

More than 10,000 people work for the contractors and unions supporting the Department of Energy’s Hanford Site. This workforce supports the Hanford mission to protect the environment and community from the legacy hazards of nuclear waste. Today, they have come together as a team to help address the unprecedented level of food needs in our community.

“There’s incredible and growing need right now in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Second Harvest Inland Northwest will be seeing families who never imagined needing a food bank. We expect to see record numbers of kids and seniors in our lines,” said Jason Clark, president and CEO of Second Harvest. “The contractors and unions supporting the Hanford site are incredible partners. We’re honored to have earned their support to help vulnerable neighbors cope with the unprecedented need for food.”

“Stepping up to support this effort is what we are all about,” said Staci West, representative for the team. “We are part of the community – from Connell to Richland and Walla Walla to Yakima. We are one team at work and in the community through this feeding families fundraiser.”

The One Hanford organizers set a goal of raising $50,000. Those organizations involved in the fundraising include Amentum, Bechtel, CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation Company, HPMC Occupational Medical Services, Mission Support Alliance, Washington River Protection Solutions, HAMTC and Central Washington Building Trades.

Those interested in joining the Hanford Feeding Families Fundraiser can donate at 2-harvest.org/onehanford from May 18-27.

The next seminar in Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Community Science and Technology Seminar Series, “Critical Habitat in the Salish Sea – Understanding Eelgrass for Restoration and Resilience” presented by John Vavrinec, Senior Research Scientist at PNNL Sequim, will take place on Tuesday, May 19, 2020, at 7:00 p.m., via Zoom.

Seagrasses are in decline globally causing concern for the impacts of losses on ecosystems and forcing managers to seek solutions to reverse the trend.  Locally, eelgrass restoration has become a priority and many efforts are being taken throughout the Salish Sea to increase eelgrass abundance.  We have been employing a multi-step approach to eelgrass restoration to help DNR reach their goal of 20% more eelgrass and while progress is being made, success is never guaranteed.  The restoration process is continually evolving as we learn from each project – whether a success or a failure.  However, seeking solutions for individual problems, forcing the restoration process to evolve, and adaptively managing restoration activities continues to improve chances for success and meeting restoration objectives in the Salish Sea.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Community Science and Technology Seminar Series was launched to help the general public better understand and explore how science transforms our world. 

Those who are interested can register here.

Today, Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) is launching its new on-demand ride service, called BFT CONNECT, in all remaining service zones. The service first launched in West Pasco on April 20 and the West Richland and Badger Mountain areas on May 4.

The six service zones include:

• West Pasco
• West Richland & Badger Mountain
• Central Kennewick & Finley
• Columbia Center & South Richland
• Central Richland
• East Pasco.

BFT CONNECT will continue to operate with added support for essential travel needs in all zones during the COVID-19 crisis, and with safety measures in place.

​Read the previous release