SPOKANE, WA, October 13, 2021 — An anonymous gift of $30,000 to a disaster response fund at Innovia Foundation will assist recovery efforts in the community of Almira, Washington after a fire destroyed the Almira School building on October 12.
The building, which housed the elementary and middle schools, also served as an important community gathering space. In the wake of the fire, Innovia Foundation began accepting donations through its disaster recovery fund.
“In times of hardship, we know our neighbors quickly pull together to support each other. The disaster response fund at Innovia offers a way for community members to channel generosity into immediate assistance,” said Innovia Foundation CEO Shelly O’Quinn. “As a region, we are stronger when we come together, and we invite those who can to join in supporting recovery efforts in the Almira community.”
Fortunately, no one was in the building at the time of the fire, because school had been cancelled due to a power outage. The official cause of the fire is unknown at this time. The school is completely devastated and will be unusable for its students, educators and staff. However, in a farming town of less than 300 people where many residents are scattered across the Palouse, a school is much more than a place of education. It is the heartbeat of the community, and support for response and recovery will be an act of generosity that benefits the extended community.
Donations to support Almira School recovery can be made online at www.innovia.org. Donations by check should be payable to Innovia Foundation with “Almira School Recovery” in the memo. Please mail donations to Innovia Foundation, 421 W. Riverside Ave., Suite 606, Spokane WA 99201.
Innovia Foundation ignites generosity that transforms lives and communities so that every person has the opportunity to thrive. As the community foundation for Eastern Washington and North Idaho, we partner with people who want to make our world better. We work together to address and solve our region’s problems, help those in need, identify and respond to our greatest opportunities and leave a lasting impact. Each year, Innovia Foundation invests nearly $10 million into our communities through grants and scholarships to nonprofit organizations and local students.
