EDITOR’S NOTE: For 22 years, Peninsula Daily News readers in Jefferson and Clallam counties have supported the “hand up, not a handout” Peninsula Home Fund.
Today, as the holiday fundraising campaign begins its final week, we feature another in a series of articles on how the fund operates and who benefits from our readers’ generosity.
More information about the Home Fund will appear Wednesday.
PORT LUDLOW — The financial woes seeped in slowly after Khrys Whiddon’s grandmother passed away two years ago.
Whiddon, who is disabled, had moved into the grandmother’s Port Ludlow-area home to help care for her.
When she died, Whiddon inherited the home.
“Although her mortgage was low, she still had one,” said Whiddon, and it had been paid from the grandmother’s Social Security income.
“My disability income is $694 a month — and that’s not much.”
Her first hurdle came when the homeowners insurance doubled after the transfer of ownership.
“There was no way I could afford it. And without insurance, I couldn’t take over the mortgage,” she said.
“Fortunately, my grandmother had used the same insurance agent for years.
“He was able to negotiate with bank to get it back down.”
But the financial burden of handling the house alone was still too much.
She tried to juggle payments to the insurance company, property taxes, utilities and the mortgage — but it soon overwhelmed her.
After receiving a shut-off notice for her water and sewer service, the normally unflappable Whiddon spun into an emotional meltdown.
She turned to OlyCAP — nonprofit Olympic Community Action Programs, the No. 1 emergency-care agency in Jefferson and Clallam counties.
It also screens the applicants for the “hand up, not a handout” Peninsula Home Fund and distributes the funds.
The Home Fund staff’s most important goal is to get the individual or family through a crisis and back on the path of self-sufficiency.
Whenever possible, case managers work with each individual or family to develop a plan to become financially stable — and avoid a recurrence of the emergency that prompted aid from the fund.
The goal is simple — “a hand up, not a handout.”
The water and sewer bill was paid, and counselors also referred her to LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) and put her in touch with a mortgage crisis center.
Although she describes making ends meet as “very challenging,” she’s facing the task head-on and doing everything she can to buckle down and make it work.
Her car is permanently parked in the driveway because she can’t afford gas or insurance.
Even though LIHEAP has helped lower her electric bill, she uses the fireplace to heat the home as much as she can, closes doors to rooms not in use and has the TV with its accessories on a switch so she can turn the electricity completely off when not in use.
She’s also looking for part-time office work — such as a receptionist or doing data entry work.
She’s been told she’s amicable, has a pleasant sounding voice and is a quick study.
“OlyCAP put me in touch with Working Image, which gave me really nice clothing attire so I can go out on interviews and later, hopefully, work,” she says.
Working Image, based in Port Townsend, serves low-income women who are seeking interviews, job stability or promotions.
Women receive clothing to wear for three interviews or a full work week.
“I found out there’s a lot of generous people who donate nice clothes directly to Working Image,” she says.
“I got clothing I’m able to mix and match with each other so I can make several different looks.”
Her creative mind always at work, she got a long necklace from Working Image, took it home and made it into a charming three-piece set — necklace, bracelet and earrings.
“I saw it and saw its possibilities,” she said.
“I grew up poor, so I learned ways to take a little bit of money or goods and stretch them out.”
Whiddon has many friends in the area who offer her rides to the store and also lives within walking distance of public transportation.
“My friends asked me, ‘Aren’t you embarrassed to do this story and have others know you’ve needed charity?’” she said.
“I tell them ‘absolutely not. OlyCAP, the Home Fund and LIHEAP helped me out of a jam and I have a lot to be thankful for.’ I cannot say enough good things about them.”
Home Fund campaign
The PDN’s Peninsula Home Fund — a safety net for local residents when there is nowhere else to turn — is seeking contributions for its annual holiday season fundraising campaign that runs from Thanksgiving through this coming Saturday, Dec. 31.
From Port Townsend to Forks, from Quilcene and Brinnon to Sequim and LaPush, the Home Fund is a “hand up, not a handout” for children, teens, families and the elderly to get through an emergency situation.
Money from the Home Fund goes for hot meals for seniors, meeting rent, energy and transportation needs, warm winter coats for kids, home repairs for the low-income, needed eyeglasses and prescription drugs, dental work, safe and drug-free temporary housing . . .
The list goes on and on.
Begun in 1989, the Home Fund is supported by Jefferson and Clallam residents.
Individuals, couples, families, businesses, churches, service organizations and school groups set a record for contributions in 2010 — $248,367.35.
With heavy demand this year, the carefully rationed fund is being rapidly depleted.
Since Jan. 1, the Home Fund has helped more than 2,300 households on the North Olympic Peninsula like Khrys Whiddon’s.
As we move into winter, the toughest period of the year, all of the money collected in 2010 is now down to its last dollars.
■ The Peninsula Home Fund is a unique nonprofit program.
No money is deducted by the Peninsula Daily News.
Every penny goes to OlyCAP to help the most vulnerable members of our community, from infants to families to seniors.
Because of the extraordinary demand experienced by OlyCAP in 2011 — and plummeting cutbacks in grants and government support — for the first time in the 22-year history of the Home Fund, OlyCAP will use a portion of the fund in 2012 to pay for the helping hands who see clients.
The amount will be limited to 10 cents of every dollar donated.
The fund is not set up to hand out money passively.
OlyCAP can no longer absorb the costs of managing all the facets of the Home Fund — screening applicants, providing counseling and carefully disbursing the funds — without financial assistance.
It must tap a small portion of the fund this year as tough times compound the challenges it faces to help those in need.
■ The Home Fund is not a welfare program.
Assistance, which usually averages less than $100, is also limited to one time in a 12-month period.
The average amount of help this year was about $95 per family.
As needed, Peninsula Home Fund donations are also used in conjunction with money from churches, service clubs and other donors, enabling OlyCAP to stretch the value of the contribution.
■ All contributions are fully IRS tax-deductible for the year in which a check is written.
(See accompanying story, above, for more about this.)
■ Your personal information is kept confidential.
The PDN does not rent, sell, give or otherwise share your address or other information with anyone or make any other use of it.
Applying for a grant
To apply for a Peninsula Home Fund grant, phone OlyCAP at 360-452-4726 (Clallam County) or 360-385-2571 (Jefferson County).
■ OlyCAP’s Port Angeles office is at 228 W. First St., Suite J (Armory Square Mall); 360-452-4726.
■ Its Port Townsend office is at 803 W. Park Ave.; 360-385-2571.
■ The Forks/West End office is at 421 Fifth Ave.; 360-374-6193.
OlyCAP’s website: www.olycap.org; email: action@olycap.org.
If you have any questions about the fund, phone John Brewer, Peninsula Daily News editor and publisher, at 360-417-3500.
Or email him at john.brewer@peninsuladailynews.com.
The Peninsula Daily News publishes the donation coupon and information about the fund every Sunday and Wednesday during the fundraising campaign.
Contributions so far
While most of the Peninsula Home Fund money is raised every year between Thanksgiving and Dec. 31, the fund itself never closes.
Donations of any amount are always welcome.
Below is a list of donors whose contributions were processed between Dec. 8 and 21 (some credit card donors during that period will be processed this week).
Thank you very much for making a difference in the lives — and futures — of your neighbors like Khrys Whiddon:
— Samuel and Martha Baker, Port Angeles — $300.
— Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and 7 Ceders Casino, Sequim — $10,000. We at the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and the 7 Cedars Casino Resort properties (including The Longhouse Market and the Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course) have been blessed with much success.
We want to also recognize that this support comes from our other businesses, i.e., Jamestown Excavating, JKT Development Co., the Jamestown Family Health and Dental Clinics and our Northwest Native Expressions Gallery.
We believe that as S’Klallam people we are culturally known for our strength and generosity.
It is in the nature, character and culture of the Jamestown people to give to those in need whether they are of S’Klallam ancestry or from the neighboring non-native community.
In this cooperative spirit, we humbly submit this donation to your organization to assist in your efforts to serve those in need.
We very much appreciate the service you provide to the community during the holiday season and throughout the year.
We wish to you and all who support your cause a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
— W. Ron Allen, tribal chairman/chief executive officer, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe
— Jerry R. Allen, chief executive officer, 7 Cedars Casino
— Olympic National Park Employees’ Association, Port Angeles — $200.
— Marjorie McDonald, Port Angeles — $1,000. In honor of the following: Alice Russell — $200; Phyllis McDonald— $200; Lucia McDonald — $200; Jean Brandland — $200; George McDonald — $200.
— Rick Willis and Liz Harper, Sequim — $1,000. In memory of Randy Willis.
— Tisha Jorgenson and Tara Hawthorne, Port Angeles — $25. In honor of Marsha Welch.
— Donna and Marvin Litzau, Sequim — $100. In memory of my son, Bill Forley. I never had a chance to say goodbye. This is our first Christmas without you. I miss you everyday. I love you — Mom.
— Margie A. Movius, Port Angeles — $113. In memory of my nephew, Patrick W. (Pat) Rose.
— Margie A. Movius, Port Angeles — $113. In honor of my son, Paul Raber.
— Margie A. Movius, Port Angeles — $113. In memory of my daughter, Beverly J. Rice.
— Margie A. Movius, Port Angeles — $65.50. In memory of America’s favorite “Grump” and self-described “rebel,” Andy Rooney.
— Margie A Movius, Port Angeles — $65.50. In honor of Phillip Downer, M.D., of Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle. Dr. Downer is one of only a few physicians in the Pacific Northwest who perform 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.
— Naomi and Randy Riggins, Sequim — $1,000. In honor of John Brewer. Charity begins at home; without John, the Home Fund would not exist. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.
— Hallett and Associates, P.S., Port Angeles — $1,000. In memory of Quincy.
— June Cornelison, Sequim — $500.
— Connie Engvall and Pat Schoen, Sequim — $400.
— Port Angeles School District Bus Drivers, Port Angeles — $143.
— Joan P. Morrish, Port Angeles — $100. In memory of son, Bert Raber.
— Sidra and Brad, Port Angeles — $100. In loving memory of Lorraine Johansen.
— Sidra and Brad, Port Angeles — $100. In loving memory of Jan McIlroy.
— Mark and Diana Schildknecht, Sequim — $250. In appreciation of the Peninsula Home Fund offering those in need a hand up, not a handout.
— Charles and Corrine Horton, Sequim — $100.
— P.A. and Co. Hair Salon, Port Angeles — $100.
— Tom and Leann Barber, Port Angeles — $1,000.
— John W. Warrick and Ruth Jenkins, Port Angeles — $130.
— Steve and Gloria Ricketts, Port Hadlock — $100.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested that the amount of their donation be kept private):
— Jerry and Beth Culhane, Carlsborg.
— AMS Audio Enterprise Inc. Sequim.
— Arthur J. Judd, Port Angeles. In memory of Berniece Judd.
— Timm and Cindy Kelly, Port Angeles. In memory of Leonard and Tea Rose Beil.
— Steve and Gwyn Callis, Port Angeles.
— Mel and Vicci Rudin, Port Angeles. In memory of Leonard Beil.
— Denise E. Clarke, MSEd, DMD Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Port Angeles.
— Robbie and Jim Mantooth, Port Angeles.
— Nancy, Sonny and Mom. In honor of 365 days of Christmas love. Happy Holidays.
— Al and JoAnn Hamilton, Port Angeles. In memory of Dick and Gloria Timm.
— Julian and Maureen McCabe, Port Angeles. In memory of our parents.
— Sharon Hollatz, Port Angeles. In honor of Tux, Spook and Shadow.
— Jack and Joann Campbell, Port Angeles. In memory of Bob and Carol.
— John McHenry, Port Angeles. In memory of Oma and Granny.
— Rhonda and Bill Robinson, Forks In honor of our son, Travis Critchfield, for making the Forks Middle School Honor Roll. You rock!
— Jack and Janet Real, Sequim. In memory of Bob Goodwin.
— Ted and Fredda Burton, Port Angeles.
— Pat Nix, Sequim. In memory of Steven Daniel Nix (d. 1996).
— Mark McCormick and Bob Fletcher, Sequim. In memory of Mom and Dad McCormick and Mary Louise Fletcher.
— Dave and Jenny Marceau, Sequim. In memory of Jennifer Balliet.
— Kay McClurken, Port Angeles. In memory of Chuck and Al.
— Jay and Lisa Divelbiss, Port Angeles. In memory of our fathers — Lloyd Divelbiss Sr. and Dan Vautier.
— David and Barbara Allen, Forks In memory of Barney and Sylvia Murphy.
— Dennis and Eileen Franson, Sequim. In memory of Dorothy Rasmussen.
— Kathleen Edwards, Orem, Utah.
— Randi and Heather Hansen, Port Angeles. In loving memory of our moms — Polly and Pat.
— Millie Lawson, Sequim. In memory of Bill Lawson.
— John and Laurel Nutting, Port Angeles.
— Ronald and June Coleman, Sequim.
— Nadine Fuller, Forks.
— Rob and Dianne Thu, Sequim.
— Hank and Becky Samson, Sequim.
— Vivian Brown and Doug Patt, Sequim.
— Lorraine Schouten, Port Angeles.
— Harriet Angulo, Port Angeles.
— April Kilgore and Monroe Stringham, Port Angeles.
— Bill and Ginny Kinney, Sequim.
— June L. Matriotti, Sequim.
— Gary Twiss, Port Angeles.
— Sonchen and Jack Patton, Port Hadlock.
— L. Rice and Family, Sequim.
— Larry and Candy Wiseman, Sequim.
— Jon and Lori Jacobs, Port Angeles.
— Erwin and Diane Jones, Sequim.
— Clare Hollingsworth, Port Angeles.
— Bruce and Judy Pape, Port Angeles.
— Puri and Wes Heacock, Port Angeles.
— Dan and Judy Volkmann, Port Angeles. In memory of Alvin and Emma Olsen.
— Erika and Dan Chiang and “The Twins,” Dylan and Ethan, Newcastle. In memory of my dad, Will Wirt.
— Lillie Wirt, Port Angeles. In memory of Will Wirt.
— Evan Wirt, Redmond. In memory of my dad, Will Wirt.
— Steve and Lucy Nordwell, Port Angeles. In memory of Bob Kennedy.
— Art and Ruth Dewey, Sequim. In honor of Sue McLaughlin.
— Art and Ruth Dewey, Sequim. In memory of our loved ones who have left our daily lives but not our hearts.
— Gary and Sandra Swenson, Port Angeles. In memory of Sally.
— Chris and Carolyn Eagan, Port Ludlow.
— Janis A. Allen, Port Angeles.
— Ray Weinmann, Port Angeles.
— Cynthia Spawn, Port Angeles.
— Len and Emily Mandelbaum, Port Townsend.
— Chul and Kay You, Port Angeles.
— Michael Moss and Betty Gordon, Sequim.
— Ed Bowlby and Mary Sue Brancato, Sequim.
— Russ Wilson, Paradise Valley, Ariz.
— Russ and Sue Dornbush, Sequim.
— Lynda and Jim Larison, Sequim.
— John Collins and Carol Graves, Port Townsend.
— Ron and Judy Priest, Sequim. In memory of Mary.
— Richard G. Matthews, Port Townsend. In memory of Muriel (Pat) Matthews.
— Dan and Janet Gouin, Port Angeles. In memory of Roger Stigen.
— Dry Creek Grange No. 646, Port Angeles. In memory of Effie Columpos, Ernie Main, Kenneth Hansen and Janice Anderson.
— Joan and Chris Antolock, Port Angeles. In honor of Mom “B” Ralston.
— Jean McElroy, Port Angeles. In memory of Grumpy, from six grandkids.
— Mary (Kaul) and Bill Carmichael, Sequim. In memory of loved ones.
— Clare and Don Hatler, Sequim. In memory of Bill Vail.
— Al and Jane Bloomquist, Port Angeles. In memory of Al and Anna Bloomquist.
— Roger and Kay Paynter, Port Angeles. In memory of Frank Paynter and Kirby and Mae Sooy.
— Ethel Butler, Port Angeles. In memory of Harold Butler.
— Bob and Barbara Bullinger, Sequim.
— Little River Tenancy-In-Common, Port Angeles.
— G.E.C. Investments, Sequim.
— Jerry and Beth Culhane, Carlsborg.
— James R. and Helen S. Karr, Sequim.
— Rolland and Diane Kenitzer, Port Angeles.
— May Y. Carrell, Port Angeles.
— Scott Cameron, Sequim.
— Ella M. Sandvig, Port Townsend.
— Lucy Willis, Sequim.
— Bonnie and Walter Davison, Port Angeles.
— Joy and Erik Erichsen, Sequim.
— Cheryl Duchow, Port Angeles.
— Jim and Jane Ratliff, Sequim.
— Charles and Linda Faires, Port Angeles.
— Roberta Lang, Port Angeles.
— Cliff and Helga Johnson, Port Angeles.
— Susan and Jerry Cange, Sequim.
— Walter Classman, Sequim.
— South Dakota Community Foundation — Donald Naddy Fund, Port Angeles.
— Dorothy A. Hutt, Sequim.
— Rudolph Meyer, Port Angeles. In memory of my wife, Nancy.
— Barbara Hughes, Sequim. In memory of Harry Hughes.
— Dave and Kath Gronning, Port Angeles. In honor of the two eighties, two nineties and Finley,
— Deborah Willis, Port Angeles. In memory of mom, dad and Derek.
— Michele and Jeff Reynolds, Port Angeles. In memory of Ruth and Merle Westmoreland.
— Dave and Kath Gronning, Port Angeles. In memory of Kathy, Agnes, Randy and Stan.
— Dave and Mary Hostvedt, Port Angeles.
— LaVeta Edmonson, Carlsborg.
— Jim Conway, Port Townsend.
— Dan and Linda Sutton, Port Townsend.
— Gary and Jeanne Johnson, Port Angeles.
— Employees of JH Kelly, LLC (of Longview and Vancouver), and our crew at the Nippon Paper Industries USA job site in Port Angeles. We hope this contribution will help to brighten the holidays for many this season.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested anonymity):
— Sequim — $50. In honor of Robert DeLand.
— Port Angeles — $100. In honor of Linda Beasler.
— Sequim — $25.
— Port Angeles — $25. In memory of Bob Baldwin.
— Port Angeles — $200. In memory of Marian Byse.
— Port Angeles — $100.
— Sequim — $1,000
— Port Angeles — $100.
— Port Angeles — $150.
— Sequim — $1,000
— Sequim — $100.
— Livingston Texas — $200.
— Sequim — $25.
— Port Angeles — $100.
— Sequim — $50
— Sequim — $100.
— Carlsborg — $100.
— Port Angeles — $100.
— Sequim — $25.
— Port Angeles — $200.
— Sequim — $200.
— Port Angeles — $50.
— Port Townsend — $30.
— Sequim — $100.
— Port Angeles — $100.
— Sequim — $25.
— Port Angeles — $400.
— Port Angeles — $700.
— Port Angeles — $100.
— Sequim — $200.
— Port Townsend — $100.
— Port Angeles — $150.
— Port Angeles — $100. In memory of Cecil Vreeland.
— Port Angeles — $100. In honor of Mary Roon.
— No city listed — $25. In honor of Harley.
— Brinnon — $200.
— Port Angeles — $100.
— Sequim — $200.
— Port Angeles — $70.
— Sequim — $100.
— Port Angeles — $25.
— Sequim — $10.
— Sequim — $100.
— Port Angeles — $50 .
— Sequim — $500.
— Port Angeles — $200.
— Sequim — $100.
— Sequim — $100.
— Sequim — $30.
— Port Angeles — $50.
— Sequim — $100.
— Sequim — $50.
— Port Angeles — $25.
— Port Angeles — $100.
— Port Angeles — $25. In honor of Nina Rumore.
— Port Angeles — $125.
— Sequim — $1,000.
— No city listed — $725. In honor of God. Thank you for all of the wonderful things that you do for people and to all the volunteers who make this happen.
_________
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 email him at john.brewer@peninsuladailynews.com.
We’ll rerun the listing correctly.
Our sincerest appreciation again to our donors.
