Making a difference for students in need
June 26, 2017
Help Insurance Services Group earn an even larger donation to Washington Kids in Transition. If their story is shared on social media 50 or more times by July 2, Washington Kids in Transition will receive an additional $5,000. Use the buttons and help them reach their goal!
After launching a community-service referral program a couple of years ago, Insurance Services Group in Edmonds, Washington, was looking for a great nonprofit to support.
"We came across the parents behind Washington Kids in Transition in a local news article," said company president Trevor Campbell, "and we were amazed to learn how many students in our own community don't have anything to eat once they leave school for the day."
Since 2015, Insurance Services Group has been providing $10 to the Lake Forest Park organization for each referral they receive. But the company's support goes well beyond the financial.
"When opportunities arise to help pack snacks, we encourage any and all team members to step away from their desk during the day," Campbell said. "Nobody is required to volunteer or give, but everyone has a desire to help any way they can."
Insurance Services Group CSRs Katie Bock (left) and Marie Boughton wrap up snack bags for school bus drivers to hand out to students in need.
The young people served by Washington Kids in Transition are in dire need of that help, according to executive director Kim Gorney, who helped found the organization in 2014 after learning about the scope of hunger in the area.
Since then, what started as a snack-packing group of parents has grown into much more. Today, Washington Kids in Transition provides emergency closets for clothing, food, and toiletries at local schools, along with rent and utilities assistance and even motel stays for homeless families or those fleeing domestic violence.
The organization also recently organized a resource fair and offered free dental kits, professional photos, and haircuts. This was all while continuing to stock more than 32,000 snack bags this school year alone, so students have food to eat when they are not at school.
Insurance Services Group team members Crystal Edwards (left), Laura Levine, and Tricia Gensman pack snack bags with Tracy Marulitua from Washington Kids in Transition.
"We saw the amazing work these parents were doing, and there was a real need for support and help," Campbell said. "Our team thought we could make a difference in the lives of local students and their families."
They've already made a difference, but now their impact will get a boost, thanks to a 2017 Safeco Insurance Make More Happen Award. The honor comes with up to a $10,000 donation to Washington Kids in Transition from Safeco on behalf of Insurance Services Group.
That money means "We won't have to turn requests for help away," Gorney said.
"We are so blessed to have the support of Trevor and his staff," she added. "Each month, they pack sacks to be distributed on school buses, and they come with big smiles and enthusiasm. Their partnership has played a big part in helping these vulnerable kids."
It's all smiles for the Insurance Services Group and Washington Kids in Transition team knowing they helped provide food for local students and families in need. From l-r: Kiersten Christensen, Tracy Marulitua (Washington Kids in Transition), Katie Bock, Tricia Gensman, Laura Levine, Crystal Edwards, Marie Boughton, and Kim Gorney (Washington Kids in Transition).
Learn more about our winners:
After launching a community-service referral program a couple of years ago, Insurance Services Group in Edmonds, Washington, was looking for a great nonprofit to support.
"We came across the parents behind Washington Kids in Transition in a local news article," said company president Trevor Campbell, "and we were amazed to learn how many students in our own community don't have anything to eat once they leave school for the day."
Since 2015, Insurance Services Group has been providing $10 to the Lake Forest Park organization for each referral they receive. But the company's support goes well beyond the financial.
"When opportunities arise to help pack snacks, we encourage any and all team members to step away from their desk during the day," Campbell said. "Nobody is required to volunteer or give, but everyone has a desire to help any way they can."
Insurance Services Group CSRs Katie Bock (left) and Marie Boughton wrap up snack bags for school bus drivers to hand out to students in need.
The young people served by Washington Kids in Transition are in dire need of that help, according to executive director Kim Gorney, who helped found the organization in 2014 after learning about the scope of hunger in the area.
Since then, what started as a snack-packing group of parents has grown into much more. Today, Washington Kids in Transition provides emergency closets for clothing, food, and toiletries at local schools, along with rent and utilities assistance and even motel stays for homeless families or those fleeing domestic violence.
The organization also recently organized a resource fair and offered free dental kits, professional photos, and haircuts. This was all while continuing to stock more than 32,000 snack bags this school year alone, so students have food to eat when they are not at school.
Insurance Services Group team members Crystal Edwards (left), Laura Levine, and Tricia Gensman pack snack bags with Tracy Marulitua from Washington Kids in Transition.
"We saw the amazing work these parents were doing, and there was a real need for support and help," Campbell said. "Our team thought we could make a difference in the lives of local students and their families."
They've already made a difference, but now their impact will get a boost, thanks to a 2017 Safeco Insurance Make More Happen Award. The honor comes with up to a $10,000 donation to Washington Kids in Transition from Safeco on behalf of Insurance Services Group.
That money means "We won't have to turn requests for help away," Gorney said.
"We are so blessed to have the support of Trevor and his staff," she added. "Each month, they pack sacks to be distributed on school buses, and they come with big smiles and enthusiasm. Their partnership has played a big part in helping these vulnerable kids."
It's all smiles for the Insurance Services Group and Washington Kids in Transition team knowing they helped provide food for local students and families in need. From l-r: Kiersten Christensen, Tracy Marulitua (Washington Kids in Transition), Katie Bock, Tricia Gensman, Laura Levine, Crystal Edwards, Marie Boughton, and Kim Gorney (Washington Kids in Transition).
Learn more about our winners:
- Agency: Insurance Services Group, www.InsuranceServicesGroup.com, Edmonds, Washington
- Nonprofit: Washington Kids in Transition, www.washingtonkidsintransition.org, Lake Forest Park, Washington