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Flying Donuts! Spokane’s Retro Donuts goes the Extra 300 Miles to Benefit Disability Inclusion

Retro Donuts not only employs people with disabilities—like a “donut engineer” hired through nonprofit Northwest Center—they’re flying tasty, donated donuts across the state for a special benefit.

 

(Spokane, WA) – Retro Donuts serves up classic treats so tasty, they’re worth sending all the way to Seattle.

 

The Spokane donut shop, which Creator and Captain Jon Fine founded to “recreate donuts the way they were meant to be,” is also a supporter of disability inclusion: Retro Donuts employees include “donut engineer” Anna, who found her job through the Spokane Employment Services team of Washington nonprofit Northwest Center (NWC).

 

Now Anna, Jon, and those amazing donuts are flying from Spokane to Seattle to benefit Northwest Center services for people with disabilities. Jon donated 600 glazed and cinnamon sugar donut holes as gifts for attendees of “The Derby,” Northwest Center’s annual Kentucky Derby-themed auction and gala to be held April 27, 2019 at the King Street Ballroom in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square. The Retro Donuts team and Anna’s NWC job coach Theresa Ray will also attend The Derby as special guests.

 

The Derby will help raise money for NWC Employment Services in Spokane and Seattle. NWC Employment Services works with people with intellectual and other disabilities to find employment meaningful to the employee and beneficial to the employer. Programs begin as early as high school to assess skills and interests for the perfect job match, and on-the-job training and support is offered for as long as it’s needed—even for an employee’s entire career.

 

NWC works with companies from major corporations like Amazon to independently-owned businesses like Retro Donuts. Each one sees an inclusive workforce as a competitive advantage through increased efficiency, retention, and morale.

 

“For nearly two years, Anna has been an important part of our Retro Donuts team,” says Fine. “In our eyes, Anna has no disability. We challenge her to push her limits so that learning is ongoing. We believe this leads to greater job satisfaction and self-confidence that every human being thrives on. Northwest Center and Theresa Ray have the same values and expectations we have for business success, and we deploy those expectations on every shift.”

 

“We are so delighted to host Jon and Anna at The Derby, and we’re so grateful to Retro Donuts for donating 600 donut holes to benefit our mission,” says Northwest Center President & CEO Gene Boes. “Retro Donuts is the perfect example of how disability inclusion in the workplace is a win for employees and employers. Anna loves her job, and customers love the donuts she ‘engineers.’”

 

Visit Retro Donuts:

10925 N Newport Hwy, Suite 1

Spokane, Washington 99218

(509) 315-9502

RDonuts.com

 

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY:

See Donut Engineer Anna and Retro Donuts Creator and Captain Jon Fine in action at Retro Donuts! Discuss the importance of inclusion of people with disabilities at work and in the community—and how the best donuts are the classic donuts. (No wacky cereal or crushed cookie toppings here!)

About Us

Founded in 1965 by a group of Seattle parents, Northwest Center (NWC) is a leader in advancing equal opportunities for people of all abilities across Washington state. Northwest Center Kids provides early intervention and inclusive early childhood education. Northwest Center Employment Services provides job training, placement, and support for outstanding employees who have disabilities. NWC also owns inclusive businesses that provide best-in-class services and employ an inclusive workforce. When people of all abilities learn and work together, everyone benefits. For more information, visit: www.nwcenter.org

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