w/ 2 pics

PNBA Christmas In July Brings Joy To Central Area HomeownerCaption #1: PNBA members rejoice in a job well-done after their recent community service project. PNBA Members Sitting (L – R): Michael Dotson, and Dale Peace. Standing: Chauncey Gammage, Wally Webster, Pamela Fowlkes, Anjellica Davis-Brown, Gloria Buren, Kim Carhee, Gary Melonson and Cornell Archie.Caption #2: Volunteers from PNBA remove debris, and pull weeds from the yard of a disabled Central Area resident’s home. The Pacific Northwest Bankers Association (PNBA) held its annual Christmas in July, where PNBA gives back to the community by performing yard work, and/or painting to a deserving senior citizen in Seattle’s Central Area. For the last seven years, PNBA has partnered with the Central Area Development Association’s (CADA) “Better Homes Program” for this worthy community service effort. The Better Homes Program, a grant-based program, provides minor cosmetic and structural deferred maintenance assistance to senior citizens or physically disabled residents that live in the boundaries of the Central Area Community. “The program only operates if we receive grant funds, said Erica Porter, program administrator for CADA. Therefore, we are limited on the type and number of projects we can undertake. We typically try to do at least five projects per year. Projects are performed by both volunteers and professional labor.” This year’s yard work was performed on the home of Ms. Eunice Johnson at 33rd and Spring St. Ms. Johnson, who is disabled, grew up in the house and doesn’t have family to assist her. The property had been consumed by weeds, overgrown shrubs, and five foot high blackberry vines that had been growing on the property for over 10 years.. As Michael Dotson, President of PNBA escorted the overwhelmed with emotion home owner around to view the completed project, she tearfully commented that she hadn’t seen her back yard in over 10 years. In addition to yard maintenance, PNBA members removed household trash build-up, auto batteries, tires, generators, and other debris from the yard. “Someone who lived there evidently worked on autos or used the property to store auto parts for salvage,” said Wally Webster II, PNBA treasurer. Although this project was a major challenge, many of the PNBA Volunteers have consistently commented that no matter how daunting the task Christmas in July is one of their most satisfying pro bono experiences. They receive as much satisfaction as those homeowners whom they assisted.