Bill Jones says Amigos need community’s support

Bill Jones joined the board of directors for The Dwelling Place because of The Amigos.

“I love the guys; they’re a lot of fun. You appreciate life a little bit more with them. They just make you feel better.”

Bill and Mary’s relationship with The Amigos began about 10 years ago when they left Seattle to resettle in Leavenworth. They became acquainted with the Bangsund family and began staying over for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

The Jones went from being friends with the Bangsunds to becoming family when their daughter, Julie, married John and Kathy’s son, Mark. Mark is the older brother to Matt, one of The Amigos, and who inspired John and Kathy to start The Dwelling Place.

Now that Bill has a grandson, Kole, he sees how the child’s relationship with his Uncle Matt is helping Kole relate to different kinds of people with ease and compassion.

“He’s in kindergarten,” Bill said. “There was a little girl that had Down syndrome in his class, and he always would help her out when he could. He would talk to her and be special with her. That’s just from knowing these guys. I’m sure he doesn’t see these guys as different than anybody else.”

In 2012, the Bangsunds invited Bill to join The Dwelling Place’s board of directors after he retired from Boeing. He was already deeply involved at The Dwelling Place, helping clean and assist with maintenance needs, and joining the occasional Monday night game of UNO.

Bill now serves The Amigos as director of the board. Like the rest of the board, Bill is concerned that The Dwelling Place is well-funded, and that The Amigos’ future is secure. Each of the men is over 40 years old, and up to 50 percent of people with developmental disabilities tend to experience early onset Alzheimers or dementia by their 50s or 60s.

“I just hope The Dwelling Place can continue to support guys like them for a long, long time. Whether that happens or not I don’t know, but I’d like to see that,” Bill said.

Every year, when the board approves the annual budget, it assumes a certain amount of donations will be given. Friends and partners have always come through in the past with one-time gifts, but “you can’t rely on that kind of [unsolicited] giving all the time,” Bill said. “Our biggest need is people who would be continually donating—monthly, quarterly or yearly—so there’d be a steady income. More than anything, it secures the future. The next few years look pretty good, but what about five years out or 10 years out?”

That’s why the board is working to secure more regular partnerships with people who are committed to maintaining The Dwelling Place’s active presence and contribution to the community. They encourage individuals and groups to find ways to support The Dwelling Place.

As a member of the Knights of Columbus, Bill participates in its Tootsie Roll fundraiser, of which 20 percent supports the Washington State Special Olympics each February. The rest of funds go to The Dwelling Place, and to Cornerstone, a state-funded home for people with developmental disabilities. Often, Eric and Matt help in the Tootsie Roll sales.

Every spring and summer, people with special needs from around the North Central Valley put on a theatrical production for two nights at the high school. The large hall is packed with attendees, but few of them have a personal connection to The Dwelling Place, Bill said.

“They really need to know that places like The Dwelling Place need their support. They may have heard of it, but don’t know that it’s run by charity. Their charity.

“I’ve noticed in Leavenworth there’s people that care about the guys,” Bill went on. “When The Amigos are downtown and they see people, people are always smiling and they’ll give them hugs. I think it just makes the community a better place.”

To support The Amigos, visit our giving page.