Boeing workers give big to United Way of Snohomish County

EVERETT — Boeing workers are reaching deep in their pockets to support United Way of Snohomish County.

They’ve pledged to give $1.86 million next year, an increase of nearly 9 percent — or about $151,000 — over their contribution this year.

The money is the United Way of Snohomish County’s largest yearly contribution, according to a news release from the group.

It comes through the Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound, and is given out over the course of the year, rather than all at once.

United Way will use the money to support a variety of programs, including early learning, child development, career and job skills training, and North Sound 211, a phone service staffed by volunteers who help callers find available health and human services.

“This pledge from Boeing employees is the single largest contribution that we get,” Neil Parekh, United Way’s spokesman, said. “It makes a huge difference in what we do.”

It makes up about 20 percent of the group’s annual budget, which is typically between $9 million to $10 million, he said.

“We have a long-term relationship with United Way of Snohomish County,” the fund’s president, Kathleen Sneden-Cook, said in the news release. “They are tireless in their effort to ensure the value of each and every contribution is maximized.”

Several members of the fund’s board of trustees live in Snohomish County. The group contributes to 10 United Way organizations in the metro Puget Sound area.

“Boeing employees are such an important part of our community,” Dennis Smith, United Way of Snohomish County’s president, said in the news release. “They are not only generous with their charitable contributions but they also volunteer” to work on community projects throughout the year.

Boeing has more than 81,000 employees in Washington, including about 40,000 in Everett.

The Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound is a nonprofit giving program, and was started in 1951. The company covers its administrative costs.

United Way of Snohomish County usually also receives money from Boeing’s corporate office, which gave the group an $800,000 grant in 2013.

Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dcatchpole.