EDITOR’S NOTE: For 27 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.
Rats had been living for years, undetected, in the attic of LeeAnn Daniels’ home.
Then one night, during what Daniels called a “horrific rainstorm,” she was hit from behind with such force, her body was flung against a file cabinet.
Stunned and confused, she said, “I turned and half the ceiling was hanging down. Piles of this wet, black stuff were all over the place.”
The black goop was rat feces. The entire attic was covered in it.
Rain water trickling down through a hole in the cedar shake roof was absorbed by the excrement. The added weight and moisture caused the ceiling to collapse.
It took her days and days of scrubbing and cleaning to get rid of the mess. The damaged wood floor and furniture were permanently stained by black reminders of the ghastly event.
Going through a divorce and grappling with physical disabilities, Daniels, 56, didn’t have enough money to fix the ceiling.
The collapse also tore out electrical wires, cutting off the heating system to parts of the house.
It grew colder. And mold soon set in.
But, hoping and wishing that it would somehow get better, she stayed in the house.
The rats remained, too.
“I’d leave the lights and fans on all the time. Otherwise, they’d crawl down and run around the kitchen at night,” she said, grimacing.
But she needed to leave. In the wake of the divorce, mortgage payments weren’t being made. The house slid into foreclosure.
Moving out is also not a simple task for a woman living with disabilities, one who lived alone and didn’t have the help of supportive family or friends.
Diagnosed at 14 with Crohn’s disease, a severe inflammation of the lining of the digestive system, Daniels also suffers from ankylosing spondylitis (a form of ongoing joint inflammation that’s caused her vertebrae to fuse) and is a survivor of two heart attacks.
She said her disabilities prevent her from climbing a ladder or lifting heavy objects, which made the prospect of moving that much more difficult.
A pro-bono lawyer helped her finalize and navigate the divorce and secure an apartment.
OlyCAP — Olympic Community Action Programs, the No. 1 emergency-care agency on the Peninsula — also got involved.
In addition to its services, OlyCAP manages the Peninsula Daily News’ Peninsula Home Fund, screening the applicants, carefully disbursing the funds and providing life-changing counseling and services to those who need a “hand up, not a handout.”
After meeting with a case manager, the Home Fund was tapped for $175 to help her meet the necessary rent for the apartment and $150 for a utility deposit.
She plans to move into it this week.
Tears well up in Daniels’ eyes when she reflects upon the Home Fund and others in the community who have helped her.
“I really appreciate the help I’ve received,” she said.
But, she added, “needing help from the outside is not where I’m used to coming from, so it’s been difficult for me.”
Peninsula’s safety net
The Peninsula Home Fund — a safety net for local residents when they suddenly face an emergency situation and can’t find help elsewhere — is seeking contributions for its annual holiday season fundraising campaign.
From Port Townsend to Forks, from Quilcene and Brinnon to Sequim and LaPush, money from the fund is used for hot meals for seniors; 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.
■ 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 has been $70 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.
Home Fund case managers often 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.
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.”
■ No money is deducted by the Peninsula Daily News for administration fees or any other overhead.
Every penny goes to OlyCAP — nonprofit Olympic Community Action Programs — the No. 1 emergency-care agency on the Peninsula.
The money goes to help the most vulnerable members of our community, from infants to families to seniors.
■ All contributions are IRS tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law for the year in which the check is written.
Your personal information is kept confidential.
PDN and OlyCAP do 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 Jefferson and Clallam residents.
Individuals, couples, businesses, churches, organizations and school groups set a new record for contributions in 2014 — $271,981 — smashing the old record of $268,389 set Dec. 31, 2013.
As of Nov. 15, approximately $205,000 has been spent for Home Fund grants.
And as we move into winter, the toughest period of the year, most all of the remaining money — $75,000 — is expected to be spent before Dec. 31.
How to apply for a Home Fund grant
To apply for a Peninsula Home Fund grant, contact one of the three OlyCAP offices:
■ OlyCAP’s 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 Terry Ward, PDN publisher, at 360-417-3500. Or email tward@peninsuladaily
news.com.
Contributions so far
We’ve gotten a running start on this year’s holiday season fundraising campaign.
A number of generous individuals and organizations have been donating money to the Peninsula Home Fund since the first of the year.
While most of the money is raised between Thanksgiving and Dec. 31, the fund itself never closes.
Donations of any amount are always welcome.
To donate online by credit card, please click on www.secure.peninsuladaily
news.com/homefund.
Below is a list of donors whose contributions were processed between Jan. 1 and Nov. 24:
Thank you very much for making a difference in the lives — and futures — of your neighbors:
• Raymond Morgan, Port Angeles — $100.
• Seven Cedars Casino, Sequim — $5,000. 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.
• Doug and Trudy Rittenhouse, Port Angeles — $100. In honor of Ruth Lund.
• Kathleen Devanney, Port Townsend — $25.
• Mark and Bob McCormick-Fletcher, Sequim — $100. In honor of the LGBTQ Youth of the Peninsula.
• John and Nancy Dolansky, Sequim — $100.
• Lee Lawrence, Fort Wayne, Ind. — $100. In honor of John Brewer and Cliff Vining. These two great men came alongside us not too many years ago and kept our family from going over the edge. Many thanks!
• David Sullivan, Port Townsend — $400.
• Ann Thomas, Port Angeles — $100. In memory of Alan Thomas.
• Susan Herbert/Peninsula College, Port Angeles — $120. In memory of Chester A. Kus (father of Mary Lou Melly), who passed away Tuesday, Nov. 17. From co-workers and friends of Peninsula College Educare, ECE and FLE programs.
• Leila Roberts, Port Angeles — $25. In memory of Dan Roberts Sr.
• John and Nancy Jost, Sequim — $100.
• Steven A. McCreary, Port Townsend — $250.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested that the amount of their donation be kept private):
• Alan and Michaelle Barnard, Port Angeles.
• John and Rosemary Forster, Port Angeles.
• Don W. Stoneman, Carlsborg. In memory of Helen Marie Stoneman.
• Sue and C.V. Tondreau, Sequim.
• DixieLee and Stan Sayles, Port Townsend.
• Gary and Jan Holmquist, Port Angeles. In loving memory of our son and brother, Danny Holmquist. Thinking about you and missing you each and every day. We love you always! Gary, Jan and Brian Holmquist.
• Bill and Barb Pearl, Port Angeles.
• John and Renee Jones, Sequim.
• Willard and Paula Baker, Sequim. To those who are not as fortunate as I.
• Rick and Wendy Oak, Port Angeles.
• Paul Schwabe, Carlsborg. In honor of friends in Clallam County.
• Julie and Kelly Fisher, Port Angeles.
• David and Marcia Chance, Port Angeles.
• John and Ellen Kassen, Port Angeles.
• Diane Kaufman, Port Angeles.
• Robert Foster, Port Angeles.
• Tom Floathe, Port Angeles.
• Weezie Jenkins and Steve Conner, Port Townsend.
• Greg and Vicki Sensiba, Sequim.
• Dale and Nathalia Doran, Port Angeles. In memory of family and friends.
• Robert Hutchison, Sequim.
• Claudia and Rich Fox, Sequim. In memory of Dan Holmquist.
• Betty Manning, Port Angeles.
• Ann Chang, Port Angeles. In honor of my family.
• Scott and Fran Jamison, Port Angeles.
• Dianne and Sylvia Durrwachter, Port Angeles. In honor of Ruth Durrwachter.
• Teddy Gaskill, Port Angeles. In memory of William Gaskill.
• Donna Brown, Port Angeles. In memory of Lonna Gargus.
• Norbert and Ruth Karr, Chimacum.
• JoAnne Hughes, Port Angeles.
• Don and Faith Knowles, Sequim.
• Brad and Nancy Anseth, Sequim.
• Larry and Marilynn Elliott, Sequim.
• Dan and Patricia Nellis, Sequim. In memory of Connie Grothkop.
• Larry Fox and Nancy Prince-Fox, Port Angeles. In honor of those who need a help up, not a handout.
• Jack Kohanim, Souderton, Pa. In memory of Mark Brousseau.
• Bettye Tabain, Port Angeles. This is a wonderful program.
• Miggles Wallace and Ronald Shannon, Sequim.
• Voneda Stiewe, Chimacum.
• Chuck Benson, Sequim. In memory of Ingrid Fichter.
• Ross and Vee Canning, Port Angeles.
• Ruth Messing and Jo Cain, Sequim.
• Susan and Wayne Roberts, Port Angeles.
• Jim and Cathy Hinz, Sequim.
• Brad and Kathy Anderson, Port Angeles.
• Ray Ballantyne, Sequim.
• Dorothea Morgan, Port Angeles. In appreciation of the Peninsula Daily News Home Fund.
• Bill and Karen Houghton, Sequim.
• Jim and Marci Thomsen, Port Angeles. In honor of Marcea Rinehart, awesome Queen of Angels School music teacher and choir director.
• Lucy and James Kittrick, Port Angeles.
• Dick and Dottie Foster, Port Angeles.
• Jim and Jette Monahan, Carlsborg.
• Richard and Kandi Lohneis, Beaver. In honor of our men and women who serve and protect.
• Pamela Westlake Mirrer, Sequim. In memory of Gordon and Connie Westlake.
• Ed and Cheryl Merrill, Port Townsend.
• Homer and Karla Muto, Port Angeles.
• Art and Ruth Dewey, Sequim. In honor of The Brit Pit Gang.
• Barbara Stender, Port Townsend.
• Phyllis and Ed Hopfner, Port Angeles.
• John and Linda White, Sequim.
• Jerry Fisch, Carlsborg
• Susan Fisher, Port Angeles.
• Bill and Georgia Keeran, Sequim. In memory of Theresa Dailey.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested anonymity):
• Sequim — $100. In honor of children in families enduring homelessness.
• Port Townsend — $100.
• Port Angeles — $200. In honor of Ross, Steve, Jason and Chaleena/Wilder Toyota Service.
• Port Angeles — $500.
• Sequim — $100.
• Port Angeles — $200.
• Port Angeles — $1,000.
• Sequim — $50.
• Sequim — $100.
• Port Townsend — $200.
• Sequim — $10.
• Sequim — $200.
• Sequim — $50.
• Port Angeles — $25.
• Port Townsend — $30. Bless you all, and happy holidays.
• Forks — $50.
• Sequim — $100.
• Port Angeles — $100. In memory of Frank Welch.
• Port Angeles — $100.
• Sequim — $200.
• Port Angeles — $50.
• Sequim — $100.
• Port Angeles — $100.
• Port Angeles — $100. In memory of Marilyn Carpenter.
• Sequim — $200.
• Port Angeles — $40.
• Nordland — $20.
• Sequim — $100.
• Port Angeles — $200.
• Port Angeles — $25. In honor of Casey and Nina Rumore.
_________
EVEN THE BEST handwriting can be hard to decipher at times.
Please report any errors in this list to Terry Ward, 360-417-3500 (there’s voice mail if he’s away), or email him at tward@peninsuladailynews.com.
We’ll rerun the listing correctly.
Our sincerest appreciation again to our donors.
