Pacific Power announces new grants to support Washington communities this spring

Grants were awarded to safety and wellness initiatives aimed at strengthening the region as the COVID-19 pandemic continues

YAKIMA, Wash. (May 6, 2021) — Even as COVID-19 vaccines roll out across the country, many communities are still facing challenges from the pandemic and the organizations that support them are still seeing unprecedented demand.

In spite of the odds, local programs that address critical issues such as food insecurity, homelessness, domestic violence, child abuse, elder issues, mental health and community safety have continued to find creative new ways to deliver help quickly and safely, even while facing additional budget constraints.

As part of the company’s commitment to supporting its communities, PacifiCorp Foundation, a nonprofit arm of Pacific Power, is donating more than $525,000 across the six states it serves. The funding goes to support a total of 209 safety and wellness grants as part of the most recent round of quarterly grants provided by the foundation each year. The next grant cycle is now open through June 15; organizations may apply online.

“We celebrate these heroic organizations that have continued to reinvent and reimagine ways they can help our communities’ most vulnerable,” said Toni Petty, Pacific Power regional business manager for Yakima. “Although we see brighter days ahead, Pacific Power remains deeply committed to supporting the work of these organizations, helping to fortify our communities, so they are strong and resilient.”

The following grants were given to Washington organizations providing critical safety and wellness programs:

• Heartlinks Hospice & Palliative Care to support pediatric palliative care patients who are facing life-threatening illnesses, which is especially important as the pandemic has increase social isolation. 
• Camp Prime Time for “camperships” that allow children with special needs or serious illnesses safely escape COVID isolation and attend camp with other children dealing with similar issues.
• Yakima Neighborhood Health Services for purchase of a barrier-free exam chair and table to accommodate the needs of wheelchair-bound and other disabled veterans visiting the Veterans Clinic at Chuck Austin Place, which is scheduled to open in the summer of 2021.
• Children’s Home Society of Washington to provide car seats and bike helmets through the SafeKids Walla Walla Valley Riding Safe Program for low-income, high-risk children.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness of Washington to provide mental health outreach programs to middle, high school and college students in Walla Walla and Yakima counties.
• Providence St. Mary Foundation to fund the Good Samaritan program that provides direct assistance to Providence patients in Walla Walla, Umatilla and Columbia counties who need help with expenses critical to recovery such as transportation to appointments, medical equipment, food or prescriptions.
• Trilogy Recovery Community to ensure they can continue to provide recovery support for mental health and substance abuse, particularly to vulnerable youth and Latino community members.
• Walla Walla County Department of Community Health for supplies and educational information for preventative and restorative dental care for Medicaid-eligible children from birth to age six.
• Garfield County Fire District for the purchase of a stair chair so they can safely and efficiently move medical patients down stairs, through narrow hallways or around obstacles.

“Yakima Neighborhood Health Services is thrilled to receive support from the Pacific Power Foundation,” said Rhonda Huff, CEO for Yakima Neighborhood Health Services. “We are purchasing a barrier-free exam table for our clinic at the new Veteran’s Center in partnership with the Yakima Housing Authority, which will open this summer. This special table will remove barriers for patients who need safe access to care. We could not be more appreciative!”

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About the Pacific Power Foundation:

The Pacific Power Foundation is part of the PacifiCorp Foundation, one of the largest utility-endowed foundations in the United States. The foundation was created in 1988 by PacifiCorp, an electric utility serving 2 million customers in six western states as Pacific Power (Oregon, Washington and California) and Rocky Mountain Power (Utah, Wyoming and Idaho). The foundation’s mission, through charitable investments, is to support the growth and vitality of the communities served by Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power. For more information, visit www.pacificpower.net/foundation.