Rush Gives: 2023 Giving in Review

At Rush, we believe in giving back to the communities we live and work in.  With combined efforts from The Rush Gives Committee, Rush Corporate, and many generous volunteer efforts from the entire Rush Team, we partnered with incredible organizations that serve people right here in the South Sound. Through sponsorships, donations of toys and food, and many volunteer hours, the Rush Team made a huge impact in our surrounding communities in 2023. 

Take a look at the organizations listed below (alphabetically) to see the many ways Rush made a difference this year.  We look forward to giving back even more in 2024 and continuing to have a positive impact on the communities we are so privileged to live and work in!

Ali's Prom Project “In 2018, Ali’s Prom Project expanded to serve all low-income, foster and homeless youth in need of assistance. ​Our Tacoma, WA based boutique is staffed by volunteers and our inventory is 100% donation based of new and used formal wear.”

Big Brother Big Sister Puget Sound “As Washington’s largest donor-and-volunteer-supported mentoring organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and young people (“Littles”).”

Bounty for Families (Yelm Cooperative) - Gift of Gobble “Every year this program feeds over a hundred local families who have been nominated by friends, colleagues, or members of the community. Recipients who are struggling financially take home an entire Thanksgiving meal to cook for themselves and their loved ones in the privacy of their own home rather than waiting in line at a shelter or going without.”

Building Beyond the Walls “Building Beyond the Walls creates an experience through inclusive hands-on construction skills training that increases confidence and self-reliance. By focusing on projects that give back, we connect individuals more deeply in their communities!”

Every Kid Eats (The Peace Bus) “Today the Every-Kid-Eats 2023 campaign begins where on each day of the week there is a local restaurant where kids can eat for free! July1st- Sept 1st, kids 18 and under in Tacoma will be able to go to these specific restaurants and pick a meal from their Every-Kid-Eats (EKE) menu and eat for free.” 

Food Backpacks 4 Kids “Our mission is to meet the nutritional needs of hungry children and families at times when other resources are not available and to be a stable source of healthy foods for those who need it most.”

Gig Harbor Has Talent! “The Kiwanis Club of Gig Harbor again took the lead coordinating this youth talent show fundraiser to benefit the following local organizations helping children and families: Peninsula Fish Food Bank, Food Backpacks 4 Kids, Harbor Hope Center, Red Barn, Kiwanis Cares for Kids, and Communities in Schools Peninsula.”

Gig Harbor High School Sport Boosters - Boys Basketball “The GHHS Sport Boosters is a registered 501 C3 non-profit organization composed of parents, coaches, and other community members who have an interest in supporting ALL students and athletes of Gig Harbor High School.”

Gig Harbor Yacht Club Junior Sailing “GHYC Junior Sail ensures that any child can participate in Sail Camp and Race Team, regardless of their ability to pay. Through your generous donations and other grants to our Scholarship fund we have provided over $35,000 in scholarships in 2023 for youth in need.”

Great Strides CF Walk “Every Great Strides participant is driven by a dream that all people with cystic fibrosis should have the chance to live a long, healthy life. By joining us at Great Strides, you can help make a difference for people living with CF.”

Habitat for Humanity Build Day “Consider this an occasion to meet new people while strengthening your community by building safe, affordable housing. You’ll have the ability to improve the lives of people, work alongside future Habitat homeowners, learn different skills or advocate for affordable housing.”

Helping Hand House “New Hope. New Home. New Future. Emergency shelter and housing solutions for families in Pierce County and the surrounding area."

​​​​​​​Key Peninsula Bischoff Food Bank “From a small start, the Key Peninsula Food Bank has grown to an organization that serves 1,500 people every month, with over 24,000 pounds of food.”

Key Peninsula Little League “Key Peninsula Little League is a 100% volunteer run, non-profit organization.  We provide baseball and softball to boys and girls ages 4-16 years old on the Key Peninsula.  We not only want to teach them good baseball and softball, but also teach them how to be good and decent citizens of this world we share.”

Make-A-Wish Giving Tree program “Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We are looking to stock our wish closet with toys and gift cards to bring excitement and joy to wish kids and their siblings throughout the year." 

Mary Bridge Children's Festival of Trees (via Jingle Barre) “Jingle Barre is a pure barre classic class which takes place amongst decorated trees - all proceeds will go to benefit Mary Bridge Children's Hospital's Festival of Trees event.”

Meals on Wheels Kitsap "Provide meals, nutrition, and support services to improve the quality of life for seniors and others with hunger and health needs in Kitsap County."

Peninsula High School VPO - Girls Basketball “Peninsula High School Parents Club is dedicated to shaping our student's lives by encouraging smart growth and optimal change throughout our campus.”

Peninsula Youth Football & Cheer "For 2nd through 8th grade athletes, PYFC is a parent-run non-profit organization serving Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula for 45 years. We also appreciate community sponsorship to help fund the program and provide scholarships so that all the kids in our community have the opportunity to play."

Permission to Start Dreaming Foundation “Committed to finding the best tools and training to enhance the mind, body and spiritual wellbeing of our nation’s veterans, first responders and their family members.”

 Pioneer Elementary Birdhouses Rush provided volunteers and materials to help 2nd and 3rd graders at Pioneer design models and prototypes of homes for local species of bees and birds. The birdhouses and bee hotels will be donated to different organizations in the area.

 

Rachel Lynn Henley Foundation - 2023 Band-Aid Drive “After various procedures, patients look forward to seeing what fun bandage they will get and Mary Bridge has informed us that their supply of fun options is getting low! We are super excited to hold a Band-Aid drive so that we can help them restock.”

 

Rotary Club of Gig Harbor Midday - Golferitaville “Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million members who are dedicated to serving their communities and making a positive difference in the world. Rotary's mission is to bring together people from all walks of life to work towards creating lasting change.”

 

South Kitsap Helpline “It is our goal to help make sure that all of our neighbors who are struggling have the food they need for themselves and their families.”

 

South Sound Care Foundation (Beer & Bites) “Over the past 10 years, we have together raised more than $7.5 million to bring important research to our area and to allow cancer patients to stay close to home, surrounded by their support systems during some of the most challenging times of their lives.”

 

Tacoma Community College - Write in the Harbor Conference​​​​​​​ “The regional writers’ conference held each November at Tacoma Community College’s Gig Harbor campus.”

 

Tacoma Rescue Mission - Hope Givers “This year’s HopeGivers Celebration is dedicated to providing men, women, and children in need the essential building blocks for transformation, including a basic sense of safety, dignity, empowerment, hope, and community.”

 

The Mustard Seed Project of Key Peninsula “The Mustard Seed Project promotes independent living and quality of life for seniors residing on the Key Peninsula in western Washington by providing services and programs in five focus areas: transportation, information & referral, health and wellness, senior housing options, and community education.”

 

The Soup Ladies “Our Mission is to provide fresh cooked meals expeditiously to support first responders such as police and fire departments, search and rescue teams and military personnel in times of emergencies and disasters.”

 

WSSHE Puget Sound Day of Service​​​​​​​ “Projects include carpentry, repairs, gardening, cleaning and administration support such as compiling training material, hanging wish flags and more at the 200-acre Camp Korey property in Mount Vernon.”

 

​​​​​​​University District Food Bank "For nearly four decades, University District Food Bank has helped prevent hunger in Northeast Seattle neighborhoods. Each week, more than 1,300 different families receive the groceries they need to prepare nutritionally balanced meals at home."

 

​Our Rush team lives by our tagline "Building an Exceptional Future, TOGETHER," and happily extends our reach into the surrounding community by supporting the important work of many local organizations. We welcome partnership opportunities in our community. Inquires can be directed to rushgives@therushcompanies.com. 

We look forward to giving back even more in 2024 and continuing to have a positive impact on the communities we are so privileged to live and work in!