My View – Wayne Snoey

For the last 10 years I have had the pleasure of leading the Windermere Foundation effort for the South King County group of 8 offices including : Auburn, Burien, Federal Way, Kent, Maple Valley, Renton/South, Renton & West Campus.   Every Windermere Office has a volunteer agent or two that coordinates the Foundation activities for that office.  These agents research and select the actual organizations that will be recipients of a Windermere Foundation Grant from that office.

Most of the funds come from transaction closings.  Windermere agents contribute a portion of their income from every closing.  Many contribute extra amounts during the year as well.  Other sources are donations from clients, contractors, suppliers and associated industries.  Several fundraisers take place every year, including an annual wine tasting event that raised over $10,000 in 2009

The Windermere Foundation operates similarly to United Way in that we fund other non-profit organizations and do not fund individuals directly.  The Windermere Foundation has distributed over two million dollars annually in recent years to non-profit agencies dedicated to helping homeless and low-income families throughout our multi-state area. 

As the economy has been difficult these last few years, many of the Foundation grants have been towards emergency services for families such as food, utilities and emergency rent assistance.  However, A significant portion of Windermere Foundation dollars go toward programs that help children.  Establishing and funding literacy programs, underwriting the costs of summer camp, and providing basic necessities such as new school shoes, socks, and underwear are among the many projects that the Windermere Foundation supports. We believe that building a child’s self-esteem is an investment in our future.

I am pleased to announce that grants were just selected in the amount of $17,600 benefiting 12 South King County Organizations.  These are:  Auburn Youth Resources, YMCA, Fusion, Children’s Home Society, Catholic Community Services, Maple Valley Food Bank, Maple Valley Community Center, WICS, Vision House, The Salvation Army, New Horizons and Bethel Christian Center.

While our Foundation Representatives and the agents they represent are proud beacons of giving, the real heros are those individuals in the organizations that provide the resources to help those that struggle in our community.  Sometimes the struggle is temporary and sometimes it is long-term.  The need is the same.  The Windermere Foundation is proud to be a community member in the fight to help our families!