In the Spotlight
Read how our grants are benefiting your communities. Learn who else has received funding on our Grant History page.
American Red Cross / Snohomish County Chapter Receives $5,000 Grant to Fund Education Program
Our featured sponsorship areas this year focus on safety and emergency preparedness. Recently, Foundation leaders were pleased to support the American Red Cross Snohomish County Chapter by providing a $5,000 grant to help fund disaster education programs.
“It’s a pleasure to be able to support the Red Cross in their efforts to help neighborhood associations learn to prepare for potential disasters that may strike,” said PSE Foundation Chairman Andy Wappler.
The three cornerstones to Red Cross preparedness training are 1) make a plan, 2) build a kit, and 3) be informed. At a neighborhood association disaster training program in Everett, Snohomish Chapter Red Cross staff provided tips about how to prepare for emergency situations, including earthquakes, flooding, and house fires.
Participants learned that building a kit could be as easy as gathering non-perishable foods and beverages from your pantry, adding a few gallons of bottled water, prescription medications, and pet food, and putting those things in a box or backpack so you can grab and go! Red Cross trainers noted that having essentials to take on a three-day hiking trip is what is needed to build a good disaster kit.
The Red Cross provides a number of services – educating people about preparing for an emergency is just one of the focus areas. Chuck Morrison, executive director of the American Red Cross Snohomish County Chapter, shared that his organization responds to more house and apartment fires than any other disaster. He encouraged participants to be prepared to keep family members and pets safe by following a few simple tips: 1) make sure family members know at least two ways to get out of the house / apartment; 2) identify a meeting place away from the house / apartment; 3) consider having portable fire escape ladders in upper floor bedrooms so that family members can escape if they cannot get downstairs through the house; and 4) practice the plan so that in an emergency, family members (especially children) will remember what to do and where to meet.
“The funds provided by the PSE Foundation help us teach families and neighbors how to be ready before disasters strike,” said Chuck Morrison. “We want neighbors to know each other so they can look out for each other and help one another,” said Morrison.
Morrison shared that his Red Cross chapter is making presentations to 19 neighborhood associations in Snohomish County.
“We appreciate the Red Cross and the work they do,” Wappler told the attendees at the neighborhood association meeting in Everett.
Major Mike Johnson is excited about the
$15,000 grant!
Bellevue Police Foundation receives $15,000 grant to fund crime lab equipment
Late in 2011, Puget Sound Energy Foundation awarded the Bellevue Police Foundation a $15,000 grant, allowing them to purchase a state of the art crime lab investigation software tool for the Bellevue Police Department.
“We were delighted to support the Bellevue Police Foundation’s efforts to provide the police department with technology to help keep our communities safe,” said PSE Foundation Vice President Marla Mellies.
The Foundation grant will be used to purchase Crime Mapping software, which will allow police officers – and members of the general public via the police website – to see locations and types of crimes occurring in and around Bellevue.
“The Bellevue Police Foundation provides the Police Department with resources and tools that help to protect the citizens of Bellevue. The time is right to fund leading edge technology solutions to use today in areas such as crime analysis and criminal investigations,” said Bellevue Police Foundation President Jim Melby. “These tools allow our officers to work more efficiently at predicting patterns and solving complex cases in our community.”
Geography can influence criminal activity. The features and characteristics of areas within communities can make it easier or more difficult for crime to occur.
According to Police Investigations Major Mike Johnson, the grant will fund the software needed to provide an important tool for the Crime Analysis Unit. “We will have a system that will manipulate maps, reports, and data and will aid officers in their investigations by helping to identify trends that might otherwise be missed,” he said. “We can use that information to solve crimes and to help reduce criminal activity in specific areas.”
“For as long as I can remember, the men and women of the Bellevue Police Department and Puget Sound Energy have worked side by side keeping Bellevue safe during storms and other critical incidents,” said Bellevue Police Chief Linda Pillo. She said she was grateful for PSE Foundation’s continued support of the Bellevue Police Foundation. [Hide]
Voice of Vashon
Recently, community leaders gathered on Vashon Island to accept a $15,000 grant from Puget Sound Energy Foundation. The grant will fund the final phase of an emergency broadcast alert system being installed by Voice of Vashon.
One of the Foundation’s funding priorities is to support communities working to support emergency preparedness and public safety programs. The grant will pay for construction and installation of alert lights at three locations, over-the-air remote-control activation, solar and battery backup power, and training for volunteer staff.
“Safety and emergency preparedness are key funding priorities for the PSE Foundation as we work with communities across our region,” said Andy Wappler, chair and president of the foundation. “The emergency alert system Voice of Vashon is putting in place will help residents and visitors know where to get information when severe weather, earthquakes, or significant ferry disruptions occur.”
“We are so happy to get this grant,” Voice of Vashon President Jeanne Dougherty told attendees at the ceremony. “Thank you, PSE Foundation, for your generosity and for recognizing that this is the check that will help us finish our project.”
For more information about how this grant is impacting Vashon Island residents, read the story published in the Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber or visit our News Releases page. [Hide]
KCSARC
Renton-based King County Sexual Assault Resource Center receives grant.
The money will go toward funding the center’s Dando Vos Program, or “giving voice” program when translated from Spanish. The program offers services for victims and families in Spanish.
Learn more:
KCSARC receives $5,000 grant from Puget Sound Energy(Renton Reporter, Jan. 13, 2011)