 These past several years have been challenging, but the Fourth of July gives us an opportunity to appreciate the ideals that our nation was founded on and come together as a community to celebrate our efforts to live up to them.
This year, Eastside celebrations are back in full force. Enjoy Kirkland’s annual parade, including a kids walking parade before the main parade. Then head over to the Bellevue Family 4th for music, children’s activities, and food followed by a spectacular fireworks show.
Hunger shouldn’t make summer a bummer
 Summer is an annual highlight for many kids, and even though Congress extended some elements of the pandemic-era nutrition waivers that allowed free and reduced school meal programs, it can also be a tough time for families struggling with food insecurity.
One of the organizations that is keeping families fed this summer is International Nutritional Sustainable Partners (INSP), which creates partnerships to get local, nutritious food quickly and directly into the hands of people who need it. One way they do that is to set up drive-through locations for people to pick up boxes of food.
When INSP recently learned that their old drive-through food pickup spot would no longer work, staff reached out to me for help. Last month, I successfully connected INSP with King County Parks to find a new location. Now every Thursday this summer, families will be able to pick up food boxes at Sixty Acres Park in Redmond.
I’m always happy to support organizations supporting our community and am pleased to play a small role in keeping this vital service open for Eastside residents. Get the latest INSP food pick-up info on Facebook:
King County hires a new Public Health Director
 In the last two and a half years we have all come to realize the importance of having a well-qualified and professional public health director in King County. Since former Public Health Director Patty Hayes retired, the County and Seattle have undertaken an extensive national search for her replacement. This week, the County Executive and Seattle Mayor announced that Dr. Faisal Khan will be the next leader of Public Health – Seattle & King County.
Dr. Khan brings extensive experience and innovation in improving community health, with interest in social and economic factors that contribute to disease. Most recently, he served as acting Public Health Director for St. Louis County Department of Health in Missouri, where he previously served as their Director (2015-18). He has experience leading health care safety net systems, serving as CEO of the Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center from 2018-2021, providing primary care services to patients in the greater Kansas City area. During his career he has also worked internationally and brings a global perspective to his work.
I am excited to welcome Dr. Khan to King County.
Summer’s finally here... Right?
 As we enter what looks to be a warm - if cloudy - three-day weekend, it’s a good moment to brush up on resources to keep us safe while enjoying summer in King County.
Swim Beaches: Before heading out to your favorite freshwater beach, check out King County’s water quality monitoring website. Find up-to-date water quality data and see which beaches, if any, are closed:
Lifejackets: If you plan to boat, float or swim in a river or lake, keep safe by always wearing a lifejacket. Looking for an affordable lifejacket? You can find a 20% discount coupon. Or, if you just want to borrow one for a day or weekend, Washington State has a Free Lifejacket Loaner Program. Find a location anywhere in the state here:
Excessive Heat Resources: As we saw on Monday, temperatures soaring above 90 degrees can arrive at any time in the summer. Excessive heat can kill. Seniors, young children, people working and exercising outdoors, people with chronic health conditions and unsheltered people are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat. And remember, never, ever leave a pet or child in a parked car on a warm day.
Find suggestions and resources for what you can do to beat the heat:
Spread the word!
Please forward this email widely and invite others to sign-up to my email updates to receive important and timely information for District 6 constituents.
Sincerely,
 Claudia Balducci
King County Council
District 6
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