By Tim Hockett For Peninsula Daily News
EDITOR’S NOTE: For 20 years, Peninsula Daily News readers in Jefferson and Clallam counties have supported the “hand up, not a handout” Peninsula Home Fund.
This is another in a series of articles on how the fund operates and who benefits from our readers’ generosity.
The next article will appear Wednesday.
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PORT TOWNSEND — Savannah Hensel is the mother of a 3-year-old child in Olympic Community Action Program’s — OlyCAP’s — Early Head Start program.
Getting her son Kefir back and forth to Head Start and herself back and forth to work was a daily challenge.
She drove an old pickup that too often wouldn’t start.
“I work in a restaurant in Port Townsend, and I’m planning to enter a nursing program at Olympic College [in Poulsbo], but transportation had been a constant struggle,” says Savannah.
“I’d been driving a 1976 pickup that doesn’t start about half the time.
“When it wouldn’t start, it was so stressful.
“I lived in daily fear of not getting to work and not getting Kefir to and from school.”
With very limited income, Savannah, 25, was in a constant state of worry about ever being able to become self-sufficient.
Then word circulated through OlyCAP’s divisions that someone had donated a car that could be given to a client.
In addition to offering a wide range of services as the No. 1 emergency care agency in Jefferson and Clallam counties, nonprofit OlyCAP also screens the applicants for the Peninsula Daily News’ “handup, not a handout” Peninsula Home Fund and distributes the funds.
Savannah was told that some of the Head Start staff had mentioned her name as a candidate.
There were some requirements that would have to be met — most particularly, the recipient would have to carry auto insurance.
They made no promises, but Savannah was definitely interested.
“About a month went by, and I had forgotten about the car donation,” recalls Savannah.
“Then I got a call at work from Jev Unick, Kefir’s Head Start teacher, saying she had some exciting news.
“We had been working on potty training Kefir and so I thought it was some news of success, but she just blurted out, “Do you want a car?”
“I couldn’t believe it. I was so happy.
“I started crying and cried for almost all of the rest of the day.”
A few days later Savannah took possession of a 1996 Ford Contour sedan with only 49,000 miles on it.
Ken Dane, OlyCAP’s development director, accompanied Savannah to the state Department of Licensing to make sure there were no glitches in the title transfer.
She was ecstatic and so very grateful.
But she needed insurance.
Diana Assumpcao, a member of the regional support staff for the Head Start team, assisted Savannah with three month’s worth of basic auto insurance (about $150) from the Peninsula Home Fund so that she would have enough cushion to take on the monthly cost of insurance.
Now Savannah drives a reliable car — a car that is insured and is fitted with a proper child seat.
She takes Kefir to school in the morning and commutes with confidence to work.
“When you are a single parent, trying to work and take good care of your child, it’s the little things that mean so much.
“To not have to worry about my car breaking down is huge for me.”
Savannah now has her sights set on completing prerequisites for the college nursing program starting next semester.
She would like to thank the donor of the automobile — and the entire North Olympic Peninsula community for its support of the Peninsula Home Fund.
No deductions
From Thanksgiving through Dec. 31, the PDN’s Peninsula Home Fund — a safety net for residents in Jefferson and Clallam counties when there is nowhere else to turn — is seeking contributions for its annual holiday season fundraising campaign.
From Port Townsend to Forks, from Quilcene and Brinnon to LaPush, it’s a “hand up, not a handout” — hot meals for seniors, warm winter coats for kids, home repairs for the low income, needed prescription drugs, dental work, safe, drug-free temporary housing . . .
The list goes on and on — from Jan. 1 through Dec. 8, the Home Fund has helped more than 1,860 households — a total of 3,527 individuals — in Jefferson and Clallam counties.
The Peninsula Home Fund is a unique, nonprofit program:
• No money, not one penny, is used for administration or other overhead.
Your entire donation goes — without any deductions — to help those who are facing times of crisis.
• All contributions are fully IRS tax-deductible.
• Your personal information is kept confidential.
Peninsula Daily News does not rent, sell, give or otherwise share your address or other information with anyone or make any other use of it.
• Instances of help are designed to get an individual or family through the crisis — and back on the path to self-sufficiency.
That’s the “hand up, not a handout” focus of the fund.
Peninsula Home Fund case managers work with individuals or families as needed to develop a plan to become financially stable — and avoid a recurrence of the emergency that prompted aid from the fund.
Spent by Dec. 31
• Begun in 1989, the fund is supported entirely by Jefferson and Clallam residents.
Individuals, couples, businesses, churches, service organizations and school groups set a new record for contributions in 2008 — $198,015.03.
With heavy demand this year, the carefully rationed fund is being rapidly depleted.
All the money collected in 2008 is expected to be spent before Dec. 31.
• Peninsula Home Fund contributions are often used in conjunction with money from other agencies, enabling OlyCAP to stretch the value of the contribution.
• Money is usually distributed in small amounts, usually up to $150.
• Assistance is limited to one time in a 12-month period.
Applying for a grant
To apply for a grant from the fund, phone OlyCAP at 360-452-4726 (Clallam County) or 360-385-2571 (Jefferson County).
If you have any questions about the fund, contact John Brewer, Peninsula Daily News editor and publisher, at 360-417-3500.
Or e-mail him at john.brewer@peninsuladailynews.com.
Peninsula Daily News publishes stories every Sunday and Wednesday during the fund-raising campaign listing contributors and reporting on how the fund works.
Contributions so far
While most of the money for the Peninsula Home Fund is raised between Thanksgiving and Dec. 31, the fund itself never closes.
Donations of any amount are always welcome.
Here is a list of donors whose contributions were received between Dec. 12 and Dec. 17 — thank you very much for making a difference in the lives — and futures — of your neighbors like Savannah Hensel and her 3-year-old son:
•SEnSGayle and Dick Larson, Sequim — $50.
•SEnSRay Weinmann, Port Angeles — $250.
•SEnSMargie Movius, Port Angeles — $113. In memory of my nephew, Patrick W. (Pat) Rose.
•SEnSMargie Movius, Port Angeles — $113. In memory of my daughter, Beverly J. Rice.
•SEnSMargie Movius, Port Angeles — $113. In memory of my son, Paul J. Raber.
•SEnSMargie Movius, Port Angeles — $113. In honor of Dr. Phillip Downer, M.D., of Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle. Dr. Downer is one of only a few physicians in the Pacific Northwest who performs hip replacement surgery using the Anterior Approach. This new procedure offers patients quicker steps to recovery and makes small-incision surgery an option for more patients.
•SEnSMargie Movius, Port Angeles — $25. In honor of Rose Crumb and the Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County.
•SEnSChul and Kay You, Port Angeles — $200.
•SEnSJan Knudson, Seattle — $125. In honor of my family’s best efforts.
•SEnSJanet and Bernie Bruening, Sequim — $100.
•SEnSHoch Construction, Port Angeles — $1,000.
•SEnSJim and Laurine Drennan, Port Angeles — $100.
•SEnSWayne and Charlotte Duchow, Port Angeles — $100.
•SEnSBetty J. Nicholson, Port Angeles — $100.
•SEnSTheodore and Anna Rixon, Port Angeles — $25.
•SEnSBill and Barb Pearl, Port Angeles — $100.
•SEnSBob and Margaret Mitchell, Port Angeles — $100. In memory of Ernie and Helen Brannon.
•SEnSVan Maxwell and Rennie Shannon, Port Angeles — $50
•SEnSDenzel and Lisa Schoenfeldt, Port Angeles — $50.
•SEnSJerry and Arlene Weed, Sequim — $100.
•SEnSNaomi Marcus, Port Townsend — $200.
•SEnSJerry and Margaret King, Forks — $1,000. In memory of Janice King.
•SEnSCarol Simon and Paul Willems, Port Townsend — $100.
•SEnSMyra W. Ward, Sequim — $100. In memory of my husband, John C. Ward.
•SEnSMike and Freda Tallmadge, Port Angeles — $100. In memory of Edna, Helen, Liz, Owen, Fred and Phyllis.
•SEnSBernard and Mercedita Del Valle, Port Townsend — $150.
•SEnSPatricia A. Donlin, Port Angeles — $100.
•Nancy O’Gorman, Port Angeles — $50. In memory of Ann Brewer, who loved Christmas.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested that the amount of their donation be kept private):
•SEnSDonna Brown, Port Angeles.
•SEnSOlympic Suites Inn, Forks.
•SEnSJean and Everett Tozier, Port Angeles
•SEnSDavid Miller, Port Angeles
•SEnSDon and Marilyn Thomas, Sequim. We believe in your Fund and the concept of giving a hand up, not a handout….
•SEnSKathy and Jim Wesley, Port Angeles.
•SEnSChris and Valerie Mohr, Sekiu.
•SEnSDenise Pare-Muirhead, Danville, Calif. In memory of Tom Duval.
•SEnSGabe and Robin Ornelas, Port Townsend. In memory of Catherine and Bill Groshelle.
•SEnSEd Bowlby and Mary Sue Brancato, Sequim.
•SEnSLew and Nora Polizzi, Sequim.
•SEnSSherrie and James Schouten, Port Angeles.
•SEnSAlitya Florence, Port Townsend.
•SEnSFlorence Chamberlain, Port Angeles.
•SEnSJuanita Weissenfels, Forks. In memory of Liz Brown and Kris Fairbanks.
•SEnSDavid and Loretta Bryant, Sequim. In memory of Bacchus.
•SEnSPaul Blake and Martha Ellul, Sekiu.
•SEnSPaula and Paul Slyh, Sequim. In memory of loved ones.
•SEnSShirley and Bob Widdicombe, Sequim.
•SEnSAnn and Gene Trelstad, Port Angeles.
•SEnSDarold and Kay Seed, Port Angeles.
•SEnSMarie Botnen, Sequim. In memory of Nadene Botnen.
•SEnSA.L. and Beth McGuffin, Sequim.
•SEnSTerry and Phyllis McMahon, Sequim.
•SEnSDick and Gloria Atkins, Port Townsend.
•SEnSJoe and Claudia Girard, Port Angeles.
•SEnSJoan Keegan, Port Angeles.
•SEnSErnest Sauerland, Port Townsend.
•SEnSJoseph and Renee Bleile, Sequim. In memory of Riley Blake.
•SEnSAaron and Carrie Hogan, Chicago, Ill.
•SEnSRachel Hogan and Leif Allen, Seattle.
•SEnSTony and Sandra Lier, Port Angeles.
•SEnSFrancis and Patricia Lassak, Sequim. In honor of Frank Lassak.
•SEnSPaul Schwabe, Carlsborg. In honor of Christmas: Eriko, David, Joann, Kathy, Steve & Beth.
•SEnSK. Monsen, Seattle. In memory of Vivienne and Bob Jackson, Port Townsend.
•SEnSBetty Gordon and Michael Moss, Sequim.
•SEnSCezanne and Bob Alexander, Beaver.
•SEnSMerala Heins-Tobias, Port Angeles. In memory of Martha Heins.
•SEnSJohn and Mary Wegmann, Port Angeles.
•SEnSI. Paniaqua–Stevens, Port Angeles. In memory of Joyce Gallagher.
•SEnSM. Ralph and Harriet Angulo, Port Angeles.
•SEnSTeckah, Aaron, Forrest and Becky Acevedo, Port Angeles. In honor of all of Henry’s friends at the PDN. We know you miss him as much as we do. The Henry Acevedo family.
•SEnSRon and Luann Kennedy, Port Angeles.
•SEnSDiane Wheeler, Port Angeles.
•SEnSWallace Peterson, Port Angeles. In memory of Nancy Peterson.
•SEnSRosemarie Jack, Sequim. In honor of Charles Jack.
•SEnSRobert and Hayes Wasilewski, Port Angeles. In memory of our parents.
•SEnSHelen Kushman, Port Angeles. In memory of Kathy and of Stan. To honor all of my Family. Thank you.
•SEnSRuss and Janet Holt, Sequim.
•SEnSJack and Millie Lyon, Port Angeles.
•SEnSGeorge and Joanie Oakes, Port Angeles.
•SEnSPhil and Janie Hill, Port Angeles. In memory of Fran Sanford and Pat Woodcock.
•SEnSBill and Dorothy Caldwell, Sequim.
•SEnSKathryn M. Monds, Port Angeles. In memory of Hal and Marion King.
•SEnSBruce and Twila Springer, Port Angeles.
•SEnSGlenn and Betty Armstrong, Sequim.
•SEnSRichard and Elizabeth Geddes, Port Angeles.
•SEnSAl and Jane Bloomquist, Port Angeles. In honor of Al and Anna Bloomquist.
•SEnSRobert and Martha C. Van Etten, Nordland.
•SEnSEileen Gardoff, Sequim.
•SEnSDorothy M. Rasmussen, Port Angeles. In memory of Walter Rasmussen.
•SEnSMrs. James M. Nolan, Sequim.
•SEnSLanna Hammer, Port Angeles. In memory of Rosa Hammer.
•SEnSMr. and Mrs. James Kittrick, Port Angeles.
•SEnSRichard and Jeanine Moore, Sequim. In honor of the one who gave himself for us as we celebrate his birthday, Jesus our Lord.
•SEnSHelen Weismeyer, Port Ludlow.
•SEnSRosemarie and Harry Downing, Port Townsend.
•SEnSSelma Cole, Port Angeles.
•SEnSNik and Judy Dolmatoff, Port Angeles.
•SEnSDottie Hopkins, Port Angeles. In memory of Cindy Lou.
•SEnSPaul and Anne Weisel, Sequim. In memory of the four Lakewood officers.
•SEnSDavid and Francie Louden, Port Angeles. In honor of Maureen.
•SEnSJoan Walker, Sequim. In memory of all my loved ones.
•SEnSRobert and Ann McCartney, Port Angeles. In memory of Kevin McCartney.
•SEnSErwin and Diane Jones, Sequim.
•SEnSBob Boardman and Susan Chadd, Port Angeles.
•SEnSKirit and Judith Bhansali, Port Townsend. In memory of Justin Kirit Bhansali.
•SEnSKathi and Bob Pressley, Port Angeles. In honor of Florence Swanson.
•SEnSAnita Matthay, Sequim. In memory of Norma Davidson.
•SEnSRudy and April Hiener, Port Angeles. In memory of Ken and Charlotte Bradford.
•SEnSRobert Springfield and Velma (Winters) Springfield, Port Angeles. In Loving Memory of Lee O. Springfield and Harold J. Winters.
•SEnSMr. and Mrs. Ralph Klein, Sequim.
•SEnSJohn and Merelene Helpenstell, Port Angeles. In honor of Jen and Steve.
•SEnSPat Nix, Sequim.
•SEnSRick and Wendy Oak, Port Angeles.
•SEnSVera M. Klock, Sekiu.
•SEnSHeather Peters, Chimacum. In memory of Jack Phillips. For my Grampy, in remembrance of a million little kindnesses. Your family will never forget you and the blessing you were to all of us.
•SEnSMary R. Thayne, Sequim.
•SEnSAl and Carla Angevine, Port Angeles.
•SEnSJohn and Lois Camealy, Galena, Ohio. In memory of our mother, Nan Anthony.
•SEnSLoren and Vera Glica, Port Angeles.
•SEnSDart and Margie Whitmore, Sequim. In honor of our children.
•SEnSRon and Michele Fraker, Port Angeles.
•SEnSSandy and Nancy Goldstien, Sequim.
•SEnSCarolynn Moody, Port Townsend
•SEnSBill and Lora Carswell, Port Angeles.
•SEnSDel and Kris Cadwallader, Port Angeles. In memory of Russ Cordery, Don Deterding. In honor of our military. God bless.
•SEnSJoan Gloor, Port Angeles.
•SEnSLucy Martin, Sequim. In memory of Carol Curcio.
•SEnSDuane Heier and Anne Anderson, Auburn. In memory of Marge Reynolds.
•SEnSKaren and James Pate, Port Townsend.
•SEnSCurt and Lesa Oppelt, Port Angeles. In memory of Laurel N. Oppelt.
•SEnSMerrie and T.R. Schroeder, Port Angeles.
•SEnSGary and Linda Reidel, Port Angeles. In honor of our dear friends Mike Sorenson & Mary Brelsford — first wedding anniversary and Christmas wishes. Also in memory of Lottie Brelsford.
•SEnSGary and Linda Reidel, Port Angeles. In loving memory of our parents: Harry & Myrtle Weed and Max and Sylvia Reidel.
•SEnSCarl and Jan Nyberg, Port Angeles. In memory of Carl and Dorothy Nyberg and Ray Miller.
•SEnSCynthia Spawn, Port Angeles.
•SEnSJoanne Peterson, Port Townsend.
•SEnSBryce Fish, Sequim.
•SEnSPeninsula Floors and Furnishings, Port Townsend.
•SEnSDonna Baldwin, Port Angeles.
•SEnSElaine C. Goodwin, Port Townsend. In memory of Alan.
•SEnSDee McHenry, Port Angeles. In memory of Oma and Granny.
•SEnSJohn and Marta Trowbridge, Sequim.
•SEnSRay and Sandy Thomas, Carlsborg.
•SEnSShirley Clark, Makawao, Hawaii. In honor of Fred Stolz.
•SEnSMr. and Mrs. Richard Jepson, Sequim.
•SEnSHarry and Pam Grandstrom, Sequim. In memory of our wonderful parents.
•SEnSM.J. Klay, Sequim.
•SEnSBill and Virginia Kinney, Sequim.
•SEnSK.M. McClurken, Sequim. In memory of Chuck and Al.
•SEnSJerry and Ann Rasler, Port Angeles. In memory of Sue Lea.
•SEnSBert and Patty Hendricks, Sequim. In honor of Jerry and Betty Hendricks at Christmas.
•SEnSBob and Verna Edwards, Port Angeles.
•SEnSDavid J. and Kay T. Goetz, Port Townsend.
•SEnSShirley Peterson, Sequim.
•SEnSMary K. Otto, Port Angeles.
•SEnSBen and Irene Palzer, Port Angeles.
•SEnSJames and Rachael Graham, Port Angeles.
•SEnSRichard E. Rian, Port Angeles.
•SEnSPark View Villas Residents’ Council, Port Angeles.
•SEnSGleynda Brownfield, Sequim. In honor of Holly Brownfield.
•SEnSRoy F. and Elisabeth N. Wilson, Sequim.
•SEnSTom and Sandi Shields, Sequim.
•SEnSLinda Whitehouse, Port Angeles. In memory of William A. Whitehouse.
•SEnSGerald and Hollan DeLoach, Clarksdale, Miss. In honor of the first wedding anniversary of Jonathan & Brandi Keywood from Gerald & Hollan DeLoach.
•SEnSAnn Waldron and Enza McCormick, Sequim.
•SEnSDianne and Sylvia Durrwachter, Port Angeles. In memory of Ruth Durrwahter & Gladys Johnson.
•SEnSDan Burdick, Port Angeles. In memory of Virginia Hamerquist.
•SEnSFlorence Ninke, Port Angeles. In memory of Mother & Father, 5 brothers and 7 sisters.
•SEnSDungeness Crab & Seafood Festival, Port Angeles.
•SEnSNewcomers of North Olympic Peninsula, Port Angeles.
•SEnSBill and Nina Thomas, Joyce. In memory of our loved ones: Bill K. Thomas Sr., and Bun and Elizabeth Barnes.
•SEnSCynthia M. Knudson, Port Townsend. In memory of Robert A. Knudson.
•SEnSSusan Rose, Port Angeles. In honor of Maxine Clark.
•SEnSOlympic Springs, Inc., Carlsborg.
•SEnSKathleen and Ed Thomas, Chimacum.
•SEnSDorothy DeLand, Port Angeles. In memory of Robert DeLand.
•SEnSGinger and Dale Nichols, Carlsborg. In memory of our parents.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested anonymity):
•SEnSSequim — $1,000. In honor of former mayor Walt Schubert for his hard work, vision and integrity. Best wishes for your future public services.
•SEnSSequim — $25. In memory of John & Family.
•SEnSSequim — $100.
•SEnSSyracuse, Utah — $200. In memory of Craig Baughman.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $200.
•SEnSSequim — $25.
•SEnSSequim — $300. In honor of Matt Newell in appreciation for Sequim Fire Station #3 — 4th Saturday cert training sessions.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $100.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $100.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $250.
•SEnSSequim — $100.
•SEnSPort Townsend — $45.
•SEnSSequim — $25.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $100.
•SEnSSequim — $1,250.
•SEnSSequim — $100. In memory of Larry and Jerry.
•SEnSSequim — $50.
•SEnSSequim — $500.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $20.
•SEnSSequim — $25.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $100.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $100. To celebrate all our great neighbors at 9th and E. The KTZs.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $600.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $100.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $200. In memory of Dorothy R. and Lillian K.
•SEnSSequim — $100.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $20. In memory of Ann Brewer, 1949-2005. She loved Christmas. Rest in peace, sweet Ann.
•SEnSAnonymous — $5.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $500.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $200.
•SEnSPort Townsend — $100.
•SEnSSequim — $100.
•SEnSPort Townsend — $25. In honor of OlyCAP Volunteers.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $30.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $15.
•SEnSSequim — $25.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $500.
•SEnSPort Townsend — $100.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $150.
•SEnSSequim — $40.
•SEnSSequim — $25.
•SEnSCarlsborg — $40.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $50.
•SEnSSequim — $150.
•SEnSSequim — $20.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $100.
•SEnSSequim — $50. In honor of Jesus.
•SEnSSequim — $200.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $100.
•SEnSPort Townsend — $100.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $25.
•SEnSSequim — $100.
•SEnSPort Townsend — $30.
•SEnSSequim — $200.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $25
•SEnSPort Angeles — $100.
•SEnSSequim — $100. In memory of Neil Meagaer.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $100.
•SEnSSequim — $50
•SEnSCarlsborg — $5,000
•SEnSSequim — $25
•SEnSSequim — $25
•SEnSForks — $200.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $75
•SEnSPort Angeles — $1,000
•SEnSAnonymous — $75
•SEnSSequim — $500.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $190.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $109. In honor of my grandkids.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $110. In memory of Rachel Corrie.
•SEnSForks — $20.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $50.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $1,000.
•SEnSPort Angeles — $25.
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HANDWRITING CAN BE hard to decipher at times.
Please report any errors in this list to John Brewer, 360-417-3500 (there’s voice mail if he’s away) — or e-mail him at john.brewer@peninsuladailynews.com.
We’ll rerun the listing correctly.
Our sincerest appreciation again to our donors.
