The following is a press release from Ten Trails/Oakpointe:
Nonprofit organizations lending a helping hand to Black Diamond’s most vulnerable residents received a boost Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Ten Trails Grand opening.
Oakpointe CEO and Ten Trails master-planned community developer Brian Ross presented the Black Diamond Community Center, Shop With A Cop and the Enumclaw Schools Foundation checks in support of their efforts to help at-risk seniors, families and children. The Black Diamond Community Center received $5,000; Shop With A Cop and Enumclaw Schools Foundation each received $2,000.
“This money from Ten Trails is so huge for us,” said Cheryl Hanson, Black Diamond Community Center Executive Director. “It allows us to give services to almost anyone who comes in.”
The $5,000 gift will help the Community Center’s clients, an overwhelming majority of whom are low-income and rely on the nonprofit organization of 34 years to help with transportation costs, clothing, food, home heating bills and emergency services.
Shop With A Cop is an annual holiday event that pairs at-risk children with a police officer during the holiday season. The program aims to create positive interactions between kids and police. The Enumclaw Schools Foundation supports the Enumclaw School Districts’ vision of “all students achieving at high levels.” The Foundation is a co-sponsor of the Interactive STEM Expo and other educational programs.
The donations are part of Ten Trails’ overall mission to support the community that it is now a part of, said Ross.
“This is truly a special community,” Ross said. “We are proud to partner with the city and many of its extraordinary organizations to help build a bright future together for Black Diamond.”
Even during a time of low unemployment and a strong economy, many in the Black Diamond area face hardships, said Hanson. High housing costs are a big reason why many lower-income families and retirees living on fixed incomes need assistance, she added. Last year, the Black Diamond Community Center’s food bank served 9,743 people; Black Diamond has a population of 4,436. The Community Center accepts cash and food donations year-round. Please call for 360-886-1011 to support the center or to learn more about its programs.
“We will use this money to help as many people as possible,” Hanson said. “That’s what we do here. We take the donations and stretch them as far as we can.”
About the Black Diamond Community Center
The Black Diamond Community Center provides social, recreational and emergency services to residents of the greater Black Diamond area. Programs include youth and family services, childcare, senior support, emergency assistance and annual community events like the Back to School Event, Community Tree Lighting and Holiday Toy Drive.
