On June 13, SNAP hosted a Partner Appreciation event at South Perry Pizza with a goal of dishing up some appreciation for several long-term allies.
In recognition of the agency’s 50
th year, this year’s ceremony called out partners that have been affiliated in some way with SNAP for 15 years or more. As at previous Partner Appreciation events, the awards were still aligned with the organization’s core values of Community, Justice and Respect as well as a Mission in Action.
“This is a great opportunity to pause and thank some folks who’ve really gone the extra mile for us and our clients,” said SNAP CEO Julie Honekamp. “As we observe 50 years of SNAP, we thought it would be fitting to give out a few honors to groups and people who have been with us for a while. The tough part is deciding who actually receives the awards because we have so much amazing support in this community.”
SNAP staff provides nominations for the awards each year. When the evening was done, the following nominees had been honored in four categories: the
City of Spokane (Community), Cindy Algeo –
Spokane Low-Income Housing Consortium (Justice), Lee Campbell – Camco Construction (Respect) and
Catholic Charities of Spokane (Mission in Action).
The city of Spokane award was presented by SNAP Chief Operating Officer Lucy Lepinski.
“The city of Spokane has been a very long-term partner with SNAP,” Lepinski said. “The city has supported numerous programs and projects with funding and advocacy such as microenterprise, single family home rehabilitation, housing development, homeless services and many more. The city and SNAP have a partnership that supports each other’s efforts, helps to fine tune policy and best practices and works together to serve the Spokane community and those we serve.”
Other nominees in the Community category included Renee Coelho of Avista, Pam Teitz of Spokane Housing Authority, Matt Burchill of Spokane County Title Co., Ana Matthews of Avista, Kathe Williams of Complete Office and Lylle Weiss of Air Control Heating and Cooling.
Cindy Algeo, who recently retired after spending 20 years as the executive director of the Spokane Low Income Housing Consortium, was nominated by Amber Johnson, SNAP Mission Support director.
“During her career, Cindy Algeo has been a fearless advocate for affordable housing in Spokane,” Johnson said. “She has served on countless committees within the City and County and speaks for those in need of affordable housing and those agencies that both develop and support the residents. SLIHC has been a partner with SNAP since its inception and looks to continue that relationship well into the future.”
Modern Electric and Water Co. was also a nominee in the Justice category.
Lee Campbell, owner of Camco Construction and a longtime SNAP vendor, was nominated in the Respect category by SNAP Housing Improvements Specialist Michelle Christie.
Christie related the story of a local family in need of a wheelchair ramp. The mom was doing her best to help her 10-year-old son being treated for cancer. Without a ramp, the mother had to carry her son down a precarious slope to the street below, causing serious risks for both.
When the bid for the project was awarded last December, the child was in Seattle receiving treatment but the family was planning for him to be back in time for Christmas.
“Lee, after hearing the client’s story, was able to make the job a priority and installed the ramp before the child came home from the hospital,” Christie said. “This is just one of the times Lee has shown compassion and assisted our department with clients who had needs that were emergent in nature. Thank you Lee for respecting our clients and ensuring they receive prompt, courteous and efficient service.”
Bob Rose, who recently retired from Spokane Telephone, received Honorable Mention in the Respect category. Rose has always had a respectful, caring approach to both SNAP clients and the agency itself while providing exceptional customer service. The other nominee in the Respect division was Catholic Charities.
Honekamp nominated Catholic Charities for the Mission in Action honor. For many years early in SNAP’s existence, the agency was part of Catholic Charities before becoming its own stand-alone 501 c(3) nonprofit in 1986.
“Catholic Charities helped to birth SNAP back in the early 1960s,” Honekamp said. “Without their support during difficult times early on, SNAP may not exist as it does today. Since then, Catholic Charities has been a reliable partner in the fight to eliminate poverty in Spokane. Many of our programs work together to serve some of our most vulnerable neighbors. Whether it be through the many partnerships at the homeless services level or the housing partnership with House of Charity, Catholic Charities and SNAP are often looked to as examples of how to best serve our community.”
Airway Heights Corrections Center was awarded Honorable Mention in the Mission in Action category. The team at the facility has been a long-term partner of SNAP’s energy assistance program through their efforts to cut, store and deliver firewood. Last November, after a devastating windstorm swept through the region, the Airway Heights crew stepped up with remarkable support to provide firewood to those who were without power.
Other nominees for Mission in Action included Professor Vernon Loke, Marilyn Yonkie from Medical Lake Community Outreach, Jamie Borgan of New Leaf Bakery and World Relief.
