Greetings friends,
Camp Unity Eastside is now hosted by Northshore United Church of Christ (NUCC), Woodinville. Thank you NUCC for welcoming back Camp Unity for the Summer and Fall. The residents moved Camp Unity themselves this time for the safety of all and greatly appreciated the dinners, lunches and snacks that volunteers provided during the move. Thank you also to Holy Family Parish for funding to help with move costs and the City of Woodinville for a human services grant to help with the cost of essential services and permit fee for the new location.
We are super grateful to St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church for allowing Camp Unity to stay until mid-June due to the pandemic and for the church and congregation’s generosity and compassion during this situation. And a huge thank you to everyone who dropped off meals or supplies, or provided funding during these past several months. Due to your generosity and kindness, Camp Unity is enduring despite this storm.
There are currently 15 men and women at Camp Unity and during the past month, three people have moved to housing. Residents have remained healthy and have appreciated the visits and guidance from King County Public Health staff to help reduce the risk of COVID-19. Camp Unity is admitting additional residents and anticipates that demand could increase due to the economic impacts of the pandemic.
Here are some great opportunities to help during this next month:
- Meals: The highest priority need is help with dinners and most of the days in July are open. Providing a dinner means a lot and is a big help for the residents at Camp Unity. If you can help, please sign up on the camp’s meal calendar OR https://campunityeastside.com/meals-2/
The residents set up a bench for volunteers to drop off food or supplies so that all can maintain safe social distance. The bench is located in the parking area at NUCC, 18900 168th Ave. NE, Woodinville. Thank you to everyone who has signed up so far or helped with a meal during the past month.
- Supplies: Currently the highest priority supply needs are hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and food handling gloves (large). For more info, check out Camp Unity’s needs list. OR https://campunityeastside.com/camp-essential-needs/
- Financial Gift: If you would prefer to help with Camp Unity’s needs from home, please use this secure link to make a financial gift.
Partner Profile – Eastside Community Aid Thrift Shop: For several years, Eastside Community Aid (ECA) Thrift Shop has been a generous partner for Camp Unity Eastside. Over the years, ECA has provided funding to Camp Unity for a variety of needs, including tents, tent platforms, repairs for the van and shower, and essential services, such as portable toilets, waste management and the cost to empty grey water tanks.
The founders of ECA opened the thrift shop in 1981 to raise money for local charities at a time when nonprofits were struggling because of government cutbacks. Since then, ECA has provided over $4 million of financial and material support to numerous Eastside nonprofit organizations.
We’re happy to share that ECA will again be open for shopping on July 2 and their shop is full with a wide variety of quality goods at great prices. Shopping at ECA is a terrific opportunity to purchase quality clothing, jewelry, household goods and more at a great price and help Eastside nonprofits! ECA is located at 12451 116th Ave NE, Kirkland.
Initially, ECA will be open three days a week from 10 am to 5 pm (Thursday, 7/2, Tuesday 7/7, Thursday 7/9 and Saturday 7/11) and after that will reassess and likely expand hours. Check out ECA’s web site for more info and updates on hours.
ECA has established specific days to accept donations. Because it is more difficult now to dispose of unsaleable items, they ask that donors provide items that are clean, in good condition and that they would feel comfortable giving to a friend. More info is available at ECA’s guidelines on donations.
Seeking Additional Board Members: Are you passionate about helping people in need, motivated, forward-thinking and a good communicator? Would you like to help make a difference in people’s lives as part of a successful organization? If yes, Camp Unity is seeking candidates to join the board. The board meets monthly and each board member is an active participant in helping to achieve Camp Unity’s mission. More information is available by contacting Mark Van Wormer at marksvanwormer@outlook.com.
Thank you for all you do to help the men and women at Camp Unity Eastside.
With gratitude,
Lori Peckol
Friends of Camp Unity Eastside
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