TULALIP — The United Way’s annual Spirit of Snohomish County breakfast Oct. 1 recognized not only the continued impact of the March 22 State Route 530 slide, but also the resilient ways in which the communities of Arlington, Oso and Darrington have responded to the disaster.

Mary Nam, of KOMO 4 News, called Toraya Miller and Laura Byers, of Coastal Community Bank in Darrington, up to the stage of the Tulalip Resort Casino’s Orca Ballroom, so that they could receive the Spirit of Snohomish County Community Partner Award on behalf of their bank.

Coastal Community Bank is the only bank in Darrington, and in the wake of the slide, the bank forgave the debts of families who lost property during the disaster.

“Coastal Community Bank is ready to stand behind our customers,” said Eric Sprink, the bank’s CEO.

Nam noted that the bank forgave not just home loans, but car loans as well.

She went on to report that, over the past six months, the United Way and Cascade Valley Hospital Foundation have received a combined total of $4.6 million in donations.

Of that money, almost 70 percent has already been distributed, and 65 percent either has gone or will go to families and individuals affected by the slide.

The remaining 35 percent has gone to community organizations and first responders who were called upon in the wake of the disaster, as well as programs to help people deal with its aftermath.

“United Way worked closely with the mayors of Arlington and Darrington, and with the family resource centers in both communities, to make sure the money that was received went directly to help the people who needed it the most,” Nam said.

Of the money that was distributed by the North Counties Family Resource Center in Darrington, and the Arlington Family Resource Project, 83 percent went to families who were directly impacted by the slide — people who lost loved ones or homes, or experienced flooding.

Nam thanked the mayors and the family resource centers of both towns for their leadership and compassion.

“We have to remember that there are ongoing, long-term challenges we will need to tackle together,” Nam said. “The United Way and Cascade Valley Hospital Foundation are working with the family resource centers and the Salvation Army to make sure that disaster case managers are in a position to help as many people as possible. Over the next two years, there will be resources available to help individuals and families who are affected in these communities.”