United Way receives donation from Bed Bath & Beyond
The Bed Bath and Beyond store in Silverdale has given United Way of Kitsap County and donation of bedding worth over $24,000.
These are items that have small flaws or items that are no longer available for sale, store officials said.
“We are so very thankful to Bed Bath and Beyond for this donation,” said David Foote, executive director. “We notified local agencies who have shelters that we had blankets, comforter sets, sheets and many, many pillows for their shelter.”
United Way opened up their conference room to the agencies to come in and pick up items that they need.
“This is absolutely wonderful that United Way is able to help us out with all of this bedding and it is great that Bed Bath and Beyond made such a great donation,” said Denise Agee, of St. Vincent de Paul Women’s Shelter.
United Way is about to kick-off the Annual Community Campaign for 2013 to raise funds. The recession and the slow recovery has been tough on United Way and most of the non-profit community, Foote said.
“We need the entire communities help this year to begin rebuilding the annual campaign,” said Thor Holm, United Way Board President. “United Way managed to raise the same in 2012 as they did the previous year but needs to do better if we are to provide significant help to the community.”
Harrison Medical Center names new nursing officer
Jeanell M. Rasmussen has joined Harrison Medical Center as the organization’s new Chief Nursing Officer.
“I am honored to serve with the Harrison Medical Center leadership team on behalf of our patients and community,” she said. “I look forward to the opportunity to support and improve all aspects of the patient care experience.”
Rasmussen most recently served as vice president and chief nursing officer at Providence Centralia Hospital in Centralia. While there, she led interdisciplinary teams focused on developing coordination of care programs across the patient care continuum, from doctor’s office to hospital, and through post-discharge care planning.
“Jeanell brings to our organization specific experience and success in ensuring deployment of electronic medical records and medication technology in the bedside nursing environment,” said Adar Palis, executive vice president and COO of Harrison Medical Center. “Her leadership in those areas, along with her commitment to fulfilling our values of empathy, innovation and accountability, will ensure her lasting contribution to quality patient care at Harrison.”
Rasmussen is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Organization of Nurse Executives. She received her master’s in nursing in June 2011 from the University of Washington, Tacoma. She also holds a master’s in organizational leadership degree and a graduate certificate in human resources from Chapman University.
Alaska USA opens in Silverdale
Alaska USA Federal Credit Union has opened a branch in Silverdale, located inside Safeway at the intersection of NW Bucklin Hill Road and Silverdale Way NW.
About 30 people attended a grand opening ceremony last week. The branch offers a full range of credit union services, including a night deposit, 24-hour ATM, and a self-service center and will be open seven days a week and most holidays.
This is Alaska USA’s third branch in Kitsap County. The other branches are also located within Safeway stores in Port Orchard and Bremerton.
Alaska USA opened its first branch in Washington nearly 30 years ago and now operates 25 branches in the state. The credit union offers a full range of financial solutions in Washington, and also offers mortgages through Alaska USA Mortgage Company and insurance through Alaska USA Insurance Brokers. Anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Washington can become a member of Alaska USA.
Alaska USA Federal Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with $5.3 billion in assets and nearly half a million members worldwide. The credit union operates 66 branches throughout Alaska, California, and Washington. Learn more at alaskausa.org.
Bay Vista Senior Apartments hold groundbreaking
Bremerton’s Bay Vista Senior Apartments will become ABHOW’s 33rd community for older adults with lower incomes.
ABHOW is building the 74,000-square foot, 81-apartment affordable housing community in Bremerton in partnership with Beacon Development Group.
The development is financed by HUD’s Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program and 9 percent low-income housing tax credits. United States Bank is the tax credit investor.
Bay Vista Senior Apartments, expected to cost approximately $21.1 million, is scheduled to open in early 2015. ABHOW has five other senior housing communities in Washington.
The apartments, open to residents age 62 and older who make no more than 50 to 60 percent of the annual medium income, will feature a three-story, u-shaped building that wraps around a courtyard. Amenities, such as slip-resistant floors, wide doorways and ample lighting, are designed to enhance the independence of older adults.
Ancel Romero, ABHOW’s senior vice president for affordable housing, says that ABHOW’s growth gives even more seniors a rich, fulfilling life.
“We’re thrilled to launch our newest housing development in Bremerton,” Romero says. “Home means sanctuary, comfort and security for the adults age 62 and over living in our affordable housing communities, and we’re glad we can bring out high standards of living to even more older adults in Washington.”
The groundbreaking was Aug. 14 and was attended by David Ferguson, ABHOW’s president and CEO, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Congressman Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.)
