EDITOR’S NOTE: For 26 years, Peninsula Daily News readers in Jefferson and Clallam counties have supported the “hand up, not a handout” Peninsula Home Fund.
Today, we feature another in a series of articles on how the fund operates and who benefits from our readers’ generosity.
To donate online by credit card, click on https://secure.peninsuladailynews.com/homefund. Or you can print out a donation coupon at the site and mail it.
SEQUIM — For James Jackson and his wife, Rebekah, the Peninsula Home Fund is like a superhero who rescued them at a critical moment with groceries, personal care items and bus passes when work got slow and they didn’t have enough money to put food on the table or pay their bills.
Such assistance “filled us with gratitude,” got them through a crisis and propelled them further along the path to self-sufficiency.
Rebekah says the Home Fund counselors at OlyCAP — Olympic Community Action Programs — “helped us feel that we weren’t alone and we were going to make it through OK.
“We felt encouraged, blessed and better about ourselves.”
A counselor met with Rebekah and James, the parents to Silas, 13, and Piper, 3½, and “went through our finances with us and helped us to reprioritize what’s most important,” says James.
The couple also got on LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program).
“No one treated us like we were just a case number,” says James.
“They really care about helping others and helped us to feel good about how we’re doing as a family.”
Says Rebekah: “It’s still difficult, but we’re making it work.”
OlyCAP is the No. 1 emergency-care agency on the North Olympic Peninsula and, among its many services and responsibilities, it manages the Peninsula Home Fund for the Peninsula Daily News, screens the applicants in Clallam and Jefferson counties, carefully disburses the funds and provides life-changing counseling and services to those who need a “hand up, not a handout.”
A child care worker for 12 years, Rebekah is a substitute teacher in the Sequim Early Head Start program.
She took early child-care classes at Peninsula College and also cares for other children in her home.
James is an artist, a Web designer, a musician who performs with a local band and co-owner of a comics-publishing company, Your Mom Comics. He also works at a local store.
This month’s rent
Both are now working more, and this month, they were excited to be able to pay their entire month’s rent on time.
“We’ve always paid our rent within the month it was due, but we’ve been having to make it in segments,” says James.
“It felt good we were able to send the entire amount on time this month.”
Rebekah says when the property manager received the entire payment on time, she called to commend them.
“She knows how hard we try. So she called and said, ‘I’m just calling to say I’m proud of you,’ and then she wished us a merry Christmas.”
When she hung up the phone and told James, “we were both just floating on air we felt so good.”
Peninsula’s safety net
Between now and New Year’s Eve, the Peninsula Home Fund — a safety net for North Olympic Peninsula residents when there is nowhere else to turn — is seeking contributions for our annual holiday season fundraising campaign.
From Port Townsend to Forks, from Quilcene and Brinnon to Sequim and LaPush, the Home Fund — now in its 26th year — 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 is used for hot meals for seniors in Jefferson and Clallam counties; warm winter coats for kids; home repairs for a low-income family; needed prescription drugs; dental work; safe, drug-free temporary housing; eyeglasses — the list goes on and on.
No deductions
As of the end of last week, the Home Fund had helped 3,846 individuals (1,230 families) in Jefferson and Clallam counties this year.
No money is deducted by the Peninsula Daily News for administration fees or any other overhead.
Every penny goes to OlyCAP, and assistance is also limited to one time in a 12-month period.
The cap is $150 to $350 for a family.
The average amount of help is usually below $100 — this year it has been $69.16 per person.
All instances of help are designed to get an individual or family through a crisis — and back on the path to self-sufficiency.
As needed, Peninsula Home Fund contributions are often used in conjunction with money from churches, service clubs and other donors, enabling OlyCAP to stretch the value of the contribution.
The goal again: “a hand up, not a handout.”
For the Jackson family, their Home Fund counselors “helped us on so many levels,” says Rebekah.
All contributions are IRS tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law for the year in which the check is written.
(See accompanying box)
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.
Out of money Dec. 31
Since its beginning in 1989, the fund has relied on the support of Clallam and Jefferson residents.
Individuals, couples, businesses, churches, organizations and school groups set a new record for contributions in 2013 — $268,389 — smashing the old record of $268,137 set Dec. 31, 2012.
As of the end of last week, $263,027 had been spent for Home Fund grants.
And as we move into winter, the toughest period of the year, all of the remaining money — $5,362 — is expected to be spent before Dec. 31.
How to apply
To apply for a Peninsula Home Fund grant, contact one of the three OlyCAP offices:
■ Its Port Angeles office is at 228 W. First St., Suite J (Armory Square Mall); 360-452-4726. For Port Angeles and Sequim area residents.
■ Its Port Townsend office is at 823 Commerce Loop; 360-385-2571. For Jefferson County residents.
■ The Forks office is at 421 Fifth Ave.; 360-374-6193. For West End residents.
Leave a message in the voice mail box at any of the three numbers, and a Home Fund caseworker will phone you back.
OlyCAP’s website: www.olycap.org; email: action@olycap.org.
If you have any questions about the fund, phone John Brewer, PDN publisher and editor, at 360-417-3500.
Or email jbrewer@peninsuladailynews.com.
Contributions so far
While most of the money is raised between Sunday before 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. 4 and Dec. 11:
Thank you very much for making a difference in the lives — and futures — of your neighbors like the Jackson family:
■ George Erb and Mavis Amundson, Seattle — $100.
■ Sandy Johnson, Sequim — $100. In memory of my son, David.
■ Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum employees in Port Townsend, Forks, Sequim and Port Angeles — $767.50, from Christmas party silent auction and raffle.
■ Yvonne Dillon and Daniel Zimm, Port Townsend — $100.
■ Riley and Ann Bigler, Sequim — $100.
■ LaVonne and Bill Mueller, Sequim — $100.
■ Heien family, Sequim — $214. In honor of Kimba Stealth.
■ Mr. and Mrs. R. Worley, Sequim — $5,000.
■ Kent Shellenberger and Marsha Melnick, Sequim — $350. In memory of our parents.
■ Alpha Zeta Master-Beta Sigma Phi, Sequim — $50. In memory of June Powers.
■ Myra Ward, Sequim — $50.
■ Marc and Pat Thomsen, Port Angeles — $100.
■ Ed and Nancy Grier, Port Angeles — $150.
■ John and Sue Miles, Port Angeles — $300.
■ Bill and Bonnie Dyrness, Sequim — $100.
■ Linda Anderson, Sequim — $50.
■ Patte and Mike Danisiewicz, Port Angeles — $75.
■ Mount Pleasant Homemakers, Port Angeles — $100.
■ William and Carol Peet, Port Angeles — $200.
■ Monte Rivett, Port Angeles — $50. In memory of Bill Kilmer Rivett.
■ Jim and Laurine Drennan, Port Angeles — $100.
■ Bill and Joyce Brown, Port Townsend — $100.
■ Janee Lyster, Port Angeles — $300.
■ Don Claussen and Pat Beltz, Sequim — $100.
■ Cal and Karen Roedell, Port Angeles — $50. In memory of CJ White. Our grandson had a heart for people. We are honored to be able to help and to recognize CJ’s love for the people God loves.
■ Mr. and Mrs. Fred W. Sullivan, Walnut Creek, Calif. — $100.
■ LaRue Robirts, Sequim — $200. In memory of Dale and Andy Robirts.
■ Dennis and Mary Hood, Sequim — $100. In honor of Beryl Hood.
■ Sons of Norway, Port Angeles — $100.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested that the amount of their donation be kept private):
■ Jeff and Michele Reynolds, Port Angeles. In memory of Merle and Ruth “Grammy” Westmoreland.
■ Norman Gallacci, Lacey. In memory of members of the Gallacci and Morris families and members of the Port Angeles High School Class of 1957. PEACE!
■ Bryce Fish, Sequim.
■ Charles and Eycke Strickland, Port Angeles. In honor of Tutti Laabs.
■ Julie and Jim Haguewood, Port Angeles.
■ Carol Philpott, Port Angeles. In memory of my husband, Bob Philpott.
■ Queen of Angels, Port Angeles. God has placed in the hearts of members of our Faith in Action Team (FIAT) the desire to provide financial support for your efforts. In response to this spiritual leading, we enclose a donation and pray that God will bless your work.
■ Elizabeth Van Zonneveld, Port Ludlow.
■ Bob and Jackie Partridge, Port Angeles. In memory of family and friends.
■ Mark and Pat Lewis, Sequim.
■ Brad and Nancy Anseth, Sequim.
■ Don and Faith Knowles, Sequim.
■ Dennis Duncan, Port Angeles. In honor of Dorothy Duncan.
■ Paul Howard, Port Angeles.
■ Barbara Brittingham, Port Angeles. In memory of my sister, Laureen.
■ Evan and Thea Waldron, Port Angeles. In memory of Evan “Matt” Waldron.
■ Doug McClary, Sequim. In memory of Jack and Mardelle McClary.
■ John and Nancy Jost, Sequim.
■ Rosemarie Jack, Sequim. In honor of Charles Jack.
■ Russ and Janet Holt, Sequim.
■ Robert and Carole Travis, Sequim. In memory of Phyllis Seiler.
■ Gary and Dianne Salyer, Sequim.
■ Glen and Jeanie Robards, Sequim.
■ Barbara Erler and Mel Perricone, Sequim.
■ WIMM of SCC, Sequim. Galatians 6:9: “Let us not become weary at doing good.” Our small group of elderly women at Sequim Community Church meets and takes an offering, giving all of it at the end of each year to a local charity where “hand up” is the focus. WIMM stands for Women in Mission and Ministry — and we are 10 in number. Interested in supporting three to five missions as our money grows, your work stood out in PDN as a worthy cause. Thank you for doing the work you do. Volunteers are blessed for participating, and we are happy to be a small part.
■ Nada Johnson, Port Angeles.
■ Inge Magrs, Sequim. In memory of Bill Magrs.
■ Mrs. Hazel M. Blake, Sequim. In memory of Charles S. Blake.
■ Richard F. and Ruth E. Hazelton, Sequim.
■ Roger Lien, Beaver.
■ Frank and Paula Schrader, Sequim. In honor of all veterans.
■ Jim and Sallly Halvorsen, Port Angeles.
■ Mietta Young, Sequim. In memory of Ted.
■ Donna Baldwin, Port Angeles.
■ Carolynn Moody, Port Townsend.
■ Olympic Springs Inc., Carlsborg.
■ Cynthia Johnson and Michael Turner, Port Townsend.
■ Mr. and Mrs. Evan Evanoff, Sequim.
■ Kevin and Connee Foster, Port Angeles.
■ Lois and John Silver, Port Angeles. In memory of our parents.
■ G. Farmer and J. Victor, Sequim.
■ Brian Roe and Linda Abbott-Roe, Port Townsend. In memory of Eric Gorski.
■ Virginia Woolf, Carlsborg.
■ Viki Kocha, Sequim.
■ Ellen and Ted Tsoneff, Port Angeles.
■ Rolland and Diane Kenitzer, Port Angeles.
■ William Manzer, Sequim.
■ Larry and Darla Kalsbeek, Sequim. In memory of Kimberly Kalsbeek.
■ James and Julie Emery, Port Angeles.
■ Robert Sheridan, Sequim.
■ Ruth Messing, Sequim.
■ Dan and Patricia Nellis, Sequim. In memory of Martha Lohr.
■ Anna Rixon, Port Angeles. In memory of Theodore “Tom” Rixon.
■ Marcus Reinertson, Port Angeles.
■ Doris Nolan, Sequim.
■ Eleanor A. Thornton, Forks.
■ Don Stoneman, Sequim. In honor of Helen Stoneman.
■ Claudia and Rich Fox, Sequim. In memory of Dan Holmquist.
■ Jeanne and John Skow, Port Angeles.
■ Ray and Jane Erickson, Port Hadlock.
■ Charlotte Patterson, Port Angeles. In loving memory of Ken Patterson, my true love.
■ Jim and Barb Cammack, Port Angeles.
■ Kay Young, Port Townsend.
■ Richard and Carol Norseen, Sequim.
■ Millie Lawson, Sequim. In memory of Bill Lawson.
■ Mr. and Mrs. Daniel and Barbara Hart, Port Angeles. In memory of our parents.
■ Mr. Dana B. Dolloff, Jacksonville, Fla.
■ Roger and Kay Paynter, Port Angeles. In memory of Frank and Marie Paynter.
■ Nik and Judy Dolmatoff, Port Angeles.
■ Brian and Caryn Kelly, Fenton, Mich.
■ Kerry and Marilyn Perkins, Port Angeles. In memory of Jeannie Rawley.
■ Don and Geri Zanon, Port Angeles. In memory of Dick Kelley.
■ Monty and Gerry Crouch, Carlsborg. In memory of George and Louise Simonson.
■ Muriel Faunce, Port Angeles.
■ Brando and Christina Nyhus, Port Angeles.
■ James and Celia Read, Port Angeles.
■ Mr. Christopher M. Minard, Carlsborg.
■ Art and Ruth Dewey, Sequim. In honor of “Our Britt Pit Family.”
■ Edward and Carolyn Fjerstad, Sequim. In memory of Burnie Fjerstad, Carol Fjerstad and Mary Nosko.
■ Dick and Dot Foster, Port Angeles.
■ Bill and Joan Riedel, Sekiu. In memory of the Riedel family and Betty Soderlind.
■ John and Dee McHenry, Port Angeles. In memory of Oma and Granny.
■ Paul and Bertha Cooper, Sequim. In memory of Jeremy Paapke.
■ Paul Schwabe, Carlsborg. In memory of Pastor Dan Dorn.
■ Samuel Shusterman, Port Townsend. In memory of Dr. Margaret S. Shusterman.
■ Samuel Shusterman, Port Townsend. In memory of Frances P. Shusterman and Eli L. Shusterman.
■ Wayne and Susan Roberts, Port Angeles.
■ David and Marcia Chance, Port Angeles.
■ Penny Ervin, Port Angeles. In memory of Carole Cudd.
■ The Baumann-Riski’s, Port Angeles. In honor of Bill Riski.
■ Deborah and Phil Morgan-Ellis, Port Angeles. In honor of Brigham, Thelma and Charles.
■ Bill and Barb Pearl, Port Angeles.
■ E.C. and Jean Gockerell, Sequim. In memory of Carl Gockerell.
■ Robert Walthers, Port Townsend.
■ Maxine, Susan and Ed, Port Angeles. In memory of Frank Welch.
■ Peter and Karen Bulkeley, Sequim.
■ Jim and Cheryl Coulter, Sequim.
■ Carl and Ralphia McLuen, Sequim.
■ Winifred Mayers, Sequim.
■ Jeanne and David Oldenkamp, Port Angeles.
■ Emogene Herb, Sequim. In memory of Jay Herb and Randy Herb.
■ The Strait family, Port Angeles. In memory of Evan Matthew “Matt” Waldron, forever loved and missed.
■ Ray and Sandy Thomas, Carlsborg.
■ Anthony B. Lier, DDS, MS, Port Angeles. In honor of your family, by “Rogue”:
James Robbins family, Boulder, Colo.
Thomas Robbins family, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.
Estevan Andrade family, Boise, Idaho.
Stephen Scovic family, LaFayette, Calif.
Lindsay Lier, Costa Mesa, Calif.
■ Scott Younkin and Gail Hebrank, Port Angeles.
■ Gary and Dora Schaefer, Port Angeles.
■ Lucille Crump, Port Ludlow.
■ Kathy and Jim Wesley, Port Angeles.
■ Roy and Pat Jones, Port Angeles. In memory of Bob Steele.
■ Jim and Jette Monahan, Carlsborg.
■ Hazel Vail, Port Angeles. In memory of Carol Chapman.
■ Martha Casnet, Sequim.
■ Steve Torgeson and Connie Kinyon, Sequim.
■ Wayne and Claudia Barrett, Port Angeles.
■ Phil and Debi Saxton, Port Townsend. In loving memory of Don and Eileen Garling.
■ Carol Ahrens, Sequim. In memory of Bonnie Howland and Tony Ralph.
■ Pat Vautier, Port Angeles. In memory of Dan Vautier.
■ Darlene and Michael Clemens, Port Angeles. In memory of Bea and Walt Dier.
■ Dick and Connie Thorson, Port Angeles.
■ Mel and Vicci Rudin, Port Angeles.
■ Mary James, Port Angeles. In memory of Betty Gray, always the best Place Road grama to my children.
■ Van Maxwell and Rennie Shannon, Port Angeles.
■ Tom Floathe, Port Angeles.
■ Ron and Phyllis Stecker, Sequim.
■ Gene and Lois Brown, Sequim. In memory of Greg Brown.
■ Marie Botnen, Sequim. In memory of Nadene Botnen.
■ Dianne Willliams, Port Angeles. In memory of Sister Jeannette.
■ Sandra and David Marsh, Sequim.
■ Ingrid Lehrer, Sequim.
■ Chuck and Marian McGilvra, Port Angeles. In memory of Gordy Sexton.
■ James and Mary Jane Moore, Sequim. In lieu of Christmas gifts to our siblings and children.
■ Robin and Gabe Ornelas, Port Townsend.
■ Kathi and Bob Pressley, Port Angeles. In honor of Doris Goodman and VIMO.
■ Lew and Nora Polizzi, Sequim.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested anonymity):
■ Sequim — $1,000.
■ Port Angeles — $10,000
■ Port Angeles — $100. In honor of Mary E. Reid.
■ Port Angeles — $150.
■ Quilcene — $250. In memory of Steven Branes.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Sequim — $100. In memory of Don Saylor and Paul Taylor, both of whom left us too early.
■ Sequim — $200.
■ Sequim — $300.
■ Sequim — $20.
■ Sequim — $200. In memory of Ron Farquhar.
■ Port Angeles — $75.
■ Port Angeles — $50.
■ Port Angeles — $50.
■ An anonymous donation. In honor of Katherine, Scott, Andrew and Stuart. In honor of Maggie, Ren and Sam. In honor of JamesDavid and Rachel.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Sequim — $50. In honor of everyone named Michele.
■ Sequim — $400. In memory of our son, Mark.
■ Sequim — $200. In memory of Florence Engvall.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Sequim — $30.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $25. In honor of Moira Nelson. Happy birthday, Mo! From your friend Isaac.
■ Cedar Falls, Iowa — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $200.
■ Port Angeles — $250.
■ Sequim — $50.
■ Sequim — $1,000.
■ Sequim — $205.
■ Sequim — $50. In memory of Diane Johnston.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $200.
■ Anonymous (no city listed) — $20.
■ Sequim — $50.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $200.
■ Port Angeles — $2,000.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $400.
■ Port Angeles — $200.
■ Port Angeles — $500.
■ Port Angeles — $150.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Sequim — $100. In memory of our parents.
■ Sequim — $50.
■ Sequim — $50.
■ Sequim — $50.
■ Port Angeles — $500.
■ Port Angeles (P.C.S.) — $50.
■ Chimacum — $50.
■ Sequim — $25.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $50.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $25.
■ Port Angeles — $150.
■ Sequim — $500.
■ Port Townsend — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $500.
■ Sequim — $50.
■ Port Angeles — $500.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Sequim — $100.
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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 email him at jbrewer@peninsuladailynews.com.
We’ll rerun the listing correctly.
Our sincerest appreciation again to our donors.
