EASE Loves City Employees

This year’s Valentine’s Day EASE Open House was a huge success. Volunteer bakers helped to raise over $1200 – thank you to all the bakers!  Local 27 representative, Firefighter David Churchill, presented a $1000 check at the event as well.

Heartfelt thanks to Bill Schrier, who served as this year’s keynote speaker. The City’s Chief Technology Officer and head of the Department of Information Technology spoke eloquently about EASE.  He emphasized that even though we are lucky to have living wage jobs with good benefits, any one of us could find that we simply aren’t prepared to deal with a catastrophic emergency.  For those crisis situations, the support of the City family, via EASE, can help.

A heartfelt thanks also goes to a long time EASE supporter and Master of Ceremony, Darwyn Anderson. Thank you also to Councilmember Sally Clark for presenting a special recognition to EASE founder, Junko Whitaker.  And finally, thank you to Mayor McGinn for stopping by to speak in support of EASE.

Be sure to check out more pictures of this year’s event on our Facebook page! 

EASE Recipient Stories and Thank Yous

When the sudden and unexpected death of a City employee left his widow and special needs son without medical coverage, EASE paid a month of COBRA medical benefits costs for the family.

EASE was able to pay a series of Seattle Cancer Care alliance bills for a 14-year SPU employee suffering from multiple myeloma.  Sadly Feloneze Harris passed away in 2010.

When a 5-year City employee unexpectedly lost his King County Housing Authority rent assistance, EASE provided one month's rent to ensure the employee would not be evicted.

“It means a lot to have the help with my doctor bills and it means so much more to have such thoughtful people in my life. I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

The death of Seattle Police Officer Tim Brenton touched and impacted the entire City family. On behalf of City employees, EASE made a donation to Officer Brenton’s family. The EASE Sympathy Fund was created to assist families when a City employee dies while on the job. The Sympathy Fund is a way to express condolences and appreciation of service to the City of Seattle.

Learn more about EASE by viewing our 2012 PowerPoint presentation.

EASE Needs Your Help

EASE is a non-profit organization allowing City employees to assist fellow City employees who have experienced catastrophic circumstances in their lives and are in need of aid. Examples of catastrophic circumstances experienced by City employees and their families include employees dealing with life threatening illnesses and domestic violence. Catastrophic circumstances can be extremely overwhelming and traumatic for all involved. For employees to know that their fellow City employees are there to assist in times of great need is of great comfort.

EASE is self supporting and is funded by generous contributions from YOU - City employees. Here are three ways YOU can help:

1. Make contributions by payroll deductions. Sign up through Employee Self-Service (Charity Code for EASE is 53031) Inweb: http://selfservice.ci.seattle.wa.us/
2. Sponsor a fundraiser for EASE by your work group or department
3. Support EASE by becoming a volunteer. Email us at ease@seattle.gov if you're interested in volunteering

Here’s a link that will walk you through how to donate via Employee Self Service (ESS).