SACRAMENTO, Calif.,
May 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The
hand-scrawled thank you note makes one misty eyed. "My 96 year-old
mom lost everything except her purse and the clothes she had on.
Your check is greatly appreciated." Another note read, "I find it hard to find the words to thank
you enough for your kind words of comfort and the check. I did lose
my home and my business in the Paradise fire on November 8th." The collection of
pastel-colored stationary and thank you notes from those mobile
home park residents impacted by recent tragedies is preserved as a
touching reminder of the personal connections made on behalf of the
WMA Foundation's financial assistance efforts.
Established in 2005 the WMA Foundation is a nonprofit
organization with a mission to enrich the quality of life for all
disadvantaged Californians living in manufactured housing
communities (aka MHPs).
Since 2005 the WMA Foundation has raised over $500,000 and donated nearly all of it to MHP
residents in California. "In the
charitable giving world, efficiency is important," beams
Betsey Soderston, the Foundation's
Treasurer. "I am proud that around 95% of monies raised are used
for charitable function. I even do the tax return myself to be able
to give away even more to residents." Soderston adds, "It is nice
to be able to send money so quickly and help residents after
tragedy strikes. Sometimes we even beat the insurance
companies."
Nearly all of the funds raised by the Foundation come from
manufactured housing community owners and the service industry. "It
may not make for juicy headlines, but the vast majority of mobile
home park owners are good and caring people who give back to their
customers when tragedy strikes," adds Sheila Dey, Executive Director of the Western
Manufactured Housing Communities Association ("WMA"), the
sister-organization of the Foundation. "It's unfortunate that many
otherwise thoughtful people choose to believe stereotypes and the
rare salacious anecdotes about our industry. But we will just keep
doing what we are doing, helping those in our communities who are
in need."
While the WMA Foundation team is content to carry out its
mission regardless of recognition receiving a formal letter of
gratitude is displayed proudly at WMA. Senator Mark Wyland remarked about the Foundation's
efforts, "The outpouring of donations and support for fire victims
has been overwhelming. Your assistance and compassion during this
time have shown the nation California's character, and our ability to
join together when disaster strikes."
According to Dey, the WMA Foundation responded with numerous
checks paid directly to impacted mobile home owners after the Rice
Fire in 2007, the Sayre Fire in 2008, the South Napa Earthquake of
2014, the Tubbs Fire of 2017, the Camp Fire of 2018, and the
Sandalwood Fire among others.
During this time where every Californian is impacted by
tragedies like COVID-19 the WMA Foundation is even more committed
to joining together as Senator Wyland championed. "We don't yet
know how many in our parks will be affected by the pandemic," says
Dey. "But the WMA Foundation is ready to help."
https://www.wma.org/wma-foundation
Photos:
https://www.prlog.org/12823903
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SOURCE WMA Foundation