washington business
Of Note
Starbucks Original Series Highlights Americans Making a Difference in Their Communities
Starbucks launched an original series called Upstanders last fall in an effort to illuminate how Americans work together to make lives better in their communities during the divisive election year . It is a collection of 10 short films , essays and podcasts that feature ordinary citizens doing extraordinary things in their communities .
The stories range from one woman , who spent years in prison , using her experience to help hundreds of women break the prison cycle by giving them a place that ’ s free of drugs , alcohol and abuse , to a college student creating a web-based solution to save thousands of pounds of food each year to help those in need and to curb food waste .
“ We ’ ve asked ourselves what is the role and responsibility of a public company and , as citizens , how we can catalyze hope in a time when we need more optimism , empathy , compassion and leadership ,” said Howard Schultz , Starbucks chairman and CEO . “ The upstanders featured in this series are inspiring individuals whose actions are emblematic of the American spirit and what is missing from so much of today ’ s national dialogue . We have always been storytellers at heart , and more of these stories need to be heard . We are using our scale to share them as broadly as possible .”
The series was written and produced by Schultz and Rajiv Chandrasekaran , Starbucks executive producer and a former senior editor of The Washington Post .
Watch the stories and learn how to nominate an “ Upstander ” in your community at upstanders . starbucks . com .
Bank of America Pledges $ 200k as Part of Community Housing Investment
As homelessness and housing costs rise in the Seattle area , the Neighborhood Builders program , part of Bank of America ’ s broad effort to build thriving communities , pledged $ 200,000 to Plymouth Housing to support its mission to eliminate homelessness and address its causes in the Puget Sound region .
“ Since 2004 , through Neighborhood Builders , we ’ ve helped nonprofits create greater community impact and better prepare for the future by providing the tools and resources they need to develop stronger strategic plans , chart a succession plan , navigate through tough economic times , and enhance their funding opportunities ,” the bank says on its website .
The bank also donated a total of $ 240,000 to seven Puget Sound nonprofits focused on solving the Central Puget Sound region ’ s housing challenges . Recipients of the investment include Homesight , Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle , Building Changes , Habitat for Humanity King County , Housing Development Consortium , Habitat for Humanity Tacoma / Pierce County and Tacoma Housing Development Group .
Passages : Sen . Andy Hill Loses Battle with Cancer
State Sen . Andy Hill , the lead budget writer for the Senate , passed away in October , losing his second battle with lung cancer . He was 54 .
A Republican from King County , he was first elected to the Senate in 2010 . He was highly regarded for his compassion , humor and intellect by both political parties as well as business and civic leaders . Hill received AWB ’ s 2014 Matson Award , given to the outstanding Legislator of the Year .
Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler , R-Ritzville , said of his colleague , “ He used his second chance at life to make Washington a better place to live .”
The Seattle Times editorial board wrote of his passing , “ Hill was as genial as he was competent . As the Senate ’ s chief budget writer since 2013 , his priorities reflected a centrist Republican view that taxes should generally be avoided . But government ’ s responsibility to children and vulnerable populations absolutely should not be shirked .”
Gov . Jay Inslee echoed the paper ’ s sentiments , saying in a statement , “ Senator Hill was a dedicated legislator who served with distinction . He was a strong champion for education and a compassionate advocate for people with disabilities . His voice in Olympia will be missed .”
Hill is survived by his wife , Molly , along with his three children , Allie , Charlie and Katie .
14 association of washington business