In February 2020, before the real impact of COVID-19 struck, Amazon made a commitment to invest in the city of Bellevue, Washington, where it intends to expand its corporate operations. It promised 15,000 new jobs, as well as heavy community investment. During 2020, some of that materialized in the form of a $500,000 donation to the Bellevue Human Services Fund. That helped city residents via food and housing assistance, education and behavioral health projects, and other vital community programs during the peak months of the pandemic.
On Tuesday, May 18, Amazon issued a press release to announce a $1.4 million donation to the City of Bellevue. Again, most of this is earmarked for the Bellevue Human Services Fund, with an additional $150,000 for improvements to local parks, and the remaining balance going into neighborhood enhancement programs.
“We’re excited to continue working with policymakers, local organizations and the community as Amazon continues to invest in Bellevue,” said Brian Huseman, Amazon’s vice president of public policy in a statement. “As a member of Bellevue’s vibrant and resilient community, the company is pleased to work with the city to help address community needs and support beloved parks and neighborhood assets.”
The Bellevue Human Services Fund is the city’s primary social services resource, distributing funding to the more than 40 smaller organizations that provide services directly to those in need, all of which have seen incredibly increased demand in the past 15 months.
“Amazon continues to invest in Bellevue, and I thank the company for setting such a stellar example of community partnership,” said Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson. “These dollars will have a significant impact on our community as we begin to recover together from the effects of the pandemic.”
The parks that will receive improvements from this donation include the Botanical Garden, Crossroads Park, Northtowne Park Playground, the Lake Hills Greenbelt, and several others.
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