This past month was another reminder of your incredible care and kindness for residents at Camp Unity Eastside (CUE). Generous supporters blessed Camp Unity in so many ways, including with dinners nearly every night; gift cards, gift bags and holiday meals during Christmas week; home-baked cookies and other special touches; and financial support for the operation of Camp Unity. We are also grateful to Kirkland Congregational Church for hosting Camp Unity again. What a wonderful welcome to the Kirkland community!
I hope that the new year is off to a good start for you and yours. Read on for more Camp Unity updates and information about needs.
Seeking Two Additional Board Members: Alana McWade stepped off the CUE Board this month due to family reasons. We are grateful to Alana for serving as Board Secretary and helping with outreach to hosts during the past several months and we miss her!
We need help to fill this vacancy and increase the board capacity. Are you passionate about helping people in need, forward-thinking, motivated, and a good communicator? Would you like to help make a difference in people’s lives as part of a successful organization? Do you know someone who may be a great candidate for the CUE board? More info about the two positions the board is seeking to fill and the application are available at https://campunityeastside.com/board-of-directors/. To apply or if you have questions email Karl Brackmann at karlbrackmann@msn.com.
Aware of Adults Who Need Shelter? Camp Unity has the capacity to shelter more people who need a safe place to stay and regain stability. Camp Unity provides essential services for men and women age 18+ who comply with CUE’s code of conduct, including no drugs (including marijuana), alcohol, or weapons. Residents need to be able to participate in camp activities such as security duties and moves. CUE does not allow pets or emotional support animals. Included among the services at CUE are an individual tent, cold-weather supplies, hot showers, washer/dryer, portable toilets, waste management and hot dinners most evenings.
If you are aware of someone in need who might be a good fit or if you can help spread the word, we would love your help. CUE’s website includes more information and the intake process: https://campunityeastside.com/new-campers/. This page also includes a new flyer that can be printed and handed out. Contact Lori Peckol at peckolvanwormer@gmail.com if you would like to receive copies of this flyer by mail.
Meals: We are thrilled and so thankful that volunteers have signed up to bring a dinner every night during the rest of January and all of February. Looking ahead, we would love your help to provide dinners on open days starting in March. If you can help, please sign up via CUE’s meal calendar https://campunityeastside.com/meals-2/meal-calendar/. There are 13 residents at Camp Unity and during the past month, one person has moved to housing. Thank you Northlake Lutheran Church, Kenmore for being Camp Unity’s next host after Kirkland Congregational Church.
Supply Needs: Thanks to your generosity and care the camp is currently in good shape for basic supplies and cold weather gear. We will update the needs list when there are additional supply needs. Check back to https://campunityeastside.com/camp-essential-needs/.
Financial Gift: Camp Unity is grateful for and depends on financial support from generous supporters like you. Camp Unity needs financial support for basic expenses such as portable toilets and waste management and for the cost of water and power during the camp’s stay at its next host, Northlake Lutheran Church. Please donate online or mail your tax-deductible donation to Camp Unity Eastside, PO Box 342, Redmond, WA 98073. Your support helps ensure that Camp Unity can continue to provide shelter for people in need until they can regain housing. Do you have an employee giving program at work? You may be able to increase the impact of your gift through an employer match.
Thank you for your generosity and care for the men and women at Camp Unity Eastside.
Lori Peckol
Friends of Camp Unity Eastside