Fall 2023 natural disasters: How can you help
On Sept. 8, 2023, a shallow magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck near the town of Oukaïmedene in western Morocco. It was the largest earthquake to strike the area in a century. Sadly, thousands of people lost their lives, more injured, and the area suffered massive infrastructure damage. Survivors are receiving intensive medical care, and families need food, water, shelter, and help reuniting with loved ones.
Not too long after, catastrophic flooding struck eastern Libya on Sept. 10 and 11, 2023, because of heavy rains from Storm Daniel. Additionally, the storm caused major damage to infrastructure, including the collapse of two dams near the City of Derna. It is estimated that between 4,000 and 10,000 people have lost their lives, and thousands more have been impacted.
Whenever disaster strikes, King County employees want to help. In these moments, and year-round, communities and nonprofit service providers need both immediate and long-term support. Workplace giving dollars are incredibly valuable for these organizations to plan for the unexpected and invest in long-term services. You can help through the Employee Giving Program’s Annual Giving Drive. We have provided a list of Employee Giving Program organizations that are responding to the natural disasters. Learn more.
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Maui fires – Support disaster relief during the Annual Giving Drive
Crossposted from KC Employee Giving
During the first week of August, wildfires erupted in Maui. Spurred on by dangerous winds from Hurricane Dora, the fire spread quickly, wracking devastation across the island. The resulting fires became the most devastating natural disaster the state of Hawai’i has ever seen, with a death toll of over a hundred people, thousands of homes destroyed, and the almost-complete destruction of the historic town of Lāhainā.
Communities across the world mobilized in response to this crisis, from the national level down to the small, hardworking nonprofits. While immediate disaster relief is always critical, sustained support after the news cycle moves on is just as necessary.
The King County Employee Giving Program supports many nonprofits working on the ongoing disaster response to the Maui wildfires. Workplace giving dollars are incredibly valuable for these organizations to plan for the unexpected and invest in long-term services. Disaster preparedness and community resilience is key to withstanding natural disasters, and supporting organizations year-round allows them to do this work and be ready when the time comes. Read more.
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Christie True – Executive Constantine’s longest-serving department director – retiring after 39 years of service at Department of Natural Resources and Parks
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the retirement of Department of Natural Resources and Parks Director Christie True – the longest-serving department director on his Cabinet – after a 39-year career at the agency.
Executive Constantine credited True for reinforcing King County’s reputation as a trusted environmental steward by producing climate solutions, protecting water quality, restoring habitat, conserving open space, and improving access to parks and trails. The Executive Office will conduct a nationwide recruitment for one of the largest metropolitan natural resource agencies in the country.
“Since I appointed her Director in 2010, Christie has consistently reinforced King County’s reputation as a leading and trusted environmental steward,” said Executive Constantine. “Her integrity and leadership have helped King County make good on our steadfast commitment to protect and restore this place we love. I am grateful for the impact she has made throughout her 39 years of outstanding service with the department.” Read more in the official press release.
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Attend an Open Enrollment info session or benefits fair
Open Enrollment education sessions
Open Enrollment for next year’s benefits is coming up, Nov. 1–15. Get a head start on understanding your 2024 benefit choices by attending an online information session or a benefits fair hosted by your Benefits team.
Register for an Open Enrollment information session to:
- Learn more about your 2024 benefit choices.
- See what’s changing next year.
- Discover why it’s important that you participate in Open Enrollment.
- Ask questions.
Attend a benefits and retirement fair to:
- Talk with representatives from our benefits and retirement vendors.
- Get your questions answered by your King County Benefits Team.
- Learn about your benefits and your retirement options.
- Get assistance with Open Enrollment.
Benefit Fairs will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the following locations:
- Nov. 1 – Chinook Building, Room 120, 401 5th Ave, Seattle 98104
- Nov. 2 – North Transit Base, 2160 N 163rd St, Shoreline, 98133
- Nov. 3 – South Transit Base, 12100 E Marginal Way S, Tukwila, 98168
- Nov. 6 – Central/Atlantic Transit Base, 1500 6th Ave S, Seattle, 98134
- Nov. 7 – East Transit Base, 1975 124th Ave NE, Bellevue, 98005
- Nov. 9 – Chinook Building, Room 120, 401 5th Ave, Seattle 98104
For additional information and tools, go to Open Enrollment or contact the King County Benefits Team at KC Benefits or 206-684-1556.
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Celebrating 2023 National Disability Employment Awareness Month
In October King County celebrates the contributions made by people with disabilities, and how disabilities, both visible and non-apparent, enhance our workforce, our communities, and our country.
King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci honored the contributions of individuals with disabilities by proclaiming October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).
On Oct. 10, during hybrid King County Council meeting, Councilmember Claudia Balducci read the proclamation and provided additional personal insights.
Thank you to the King County Council for recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month as a time to honor the invaluable contributions of individuals with disabilities in King County. Nationally, 13% of the U.S. population, or 42.5 million Americans, identify as having a disability and many of us know someone in our personal lives with a disability.
The proclamation is an opportunity to celebrate diversity and inclusion in the workplace, highlighting the talents, skills, and determination of individuals with disabilities to excel in their careers. Let us continue to promote King County’s equal opportunities, break down barriers to employment, and create a more inclusive and accessible working world in King County.
The proclamation also highlights the commitment King County government has made to advance people with disabilities and affirm the value and talent these individuals add to King County workplaces and communities. As an employer, King County’s commitment to equity and diversity proactively supports employees with disabilities by offering the Disability Services Program within the Department of Human Resources and the Department of Metro Transit. This program has supported hundreds of King County employees with reasonable workplace accommodations, transitional duty work, ergonomic adjustments, and medical leaves.
The official proclamation can be viewed here, and in the image above.
Learn more about National Disability Employment Awareness Month here on the Department of Labor website. To get involved in recognizing and celebrating NDEAM at King County, contact an Employee Resource Group such as the King County Disabled Equity Network (KCDEN) or the King County Disability Advisory Committee.
Pictured: From left to right, King County Council Chair Dave Upthegrove, Central Employee Services Division (CESD) Deputy Director Peter Hu, CESD Disability Services Manager Erin McPhee, and Councilmembers Reagan Dunn, Sarah Perry, Peter von Reichbauer, and Jeanne Kohl-Welles.
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Sign up to close a ballot drop box
Ballots for the November General Election head out the door on Wednesday, Oct. 18 and the countdown to Election Day, Nov. 7, has begun. As you know, drop boxes close at 8 p.m. sharp on Election Day and there is often a last-minute rush of voters looking to get their ballots in on time. King County Elections needs your help to provide customer service and assistance to voters using this last opportunity to return their ballots.
Sign up to join us for a fun and fulfilling experience helping your neighbors experience the excitement and community of casting their ballots.
You will be partnered with Elections staff and no experience is necessary. For questions, learn more here.
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Annual Giving Drive: Reason eight
Reason eight to participate in the Annual Giving Drive is to join the movement of change agents at King County. The Employee Giving Program provides thousands of ways to make a difference and thousands of nonprofits to support, all through one program. When we act together, we change the world for the better. Join us for the Annual Giving Campaign and be part of the change. Check out the video below for more information.
You can find more EGP participating nonprofit organizations online or in the 2023 King County EGP Nonprofit Giving Guide.
You can make your campaign pledge here. Pledge today!
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Resources and support during National Substance Use Prevention Month
Balanced You recognizes October as National Substance Use Prevention Month and wants to highlight the importance of prevention in protecting people’s health and support those in recovery, as well as the family, friends, and community supporting them. We also remember those who have lost their lives to substance use and recognize the devasting loss for their loved ones.
Millions of Americans suffer from substance use disorders, which includes alcohol and tobacco dependency, non-medical use of prescription drugs, abuse of over-the-counter medications, and illicit drug use. Read more.
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Celebrating Metro’s Hispanic/Latinx employees
Crossposted from Metro Matters
Over the past month, we have been engaging with our Metro colleagues from the Latinx Affinity Group to learn about their unique experiences related to heritage, community, and personal identity, as part of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month. This heritage month is uniquely recognized in the middle of September through the middle of October (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15), as it coincides with national independence celebrations in several Latin American countries. Read more.
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Celebrating 35 Years with Jamie Schmeichel, Parks Specialist
By Quinn Pense, Parks District Maintenance Coordinator
Please join us in celebrating Jamie Schmeichel, an extraordinary individual who has dedicated an impressive 35 years of their life to serving our community.
Jamie is an integral member of the nursery team and restoration program, working diligently to ensure the flourishing beauty of our parks.
His current tasks include weeding, filling pots with soil, transplanting plants, measuring fertilizer, planting seeds, and helping to tidy up around the Nursery. He does all of this with a smile and comes to work happy to be part of the team every single day.
Congratulations, Jamie, on reaching this remarkable milestone of 35 years of dedicated service. We are immensely grateful for your service and your company. You are an absolute joy to work with, and we are all happy that you are part of our Parks family!
Employee News 