EDITOR’S NOTE — See accompanying story today, “For father, daughter, small amount made a big difference,” the final article in a series on how the Home Fund operated in 2014 and who benefits from our readers’ generosity.
Read previous stories at www.peninsuladailynews (subject: Home Fund).
You can donate to the Peninsula Home Fund for 2015 by clicking HERE. Thank you.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND a very, very happy New Year!
The North Olympic Peninsula once again has shown its big heart.
Last-minute contributions are still being tallied, but as of our last deposit at First Federal, $256,014 from people, businesses and organizations in Jefferson and Clallam counties had been donated to the Peninsula Daily News’ 2014 “hand up, not a handout” Peninsula Home Fund.
That’s not that far from the $268,389 we received last year when the 2013 campaign closed — and the final number for 2014 should be even closer to last year’s total.
Next Sunday
We’ll have a wrapup story in next Sunday’s PDN on how much has been collected in the 2014 campaign along with a list of final donors.
Whether your donation was big or small, your neighbors on the Peninsula thank you — and we thank you.
None of this would be possible without the generous support of our readers.
Messages of giving
Better to give than receive?
Just ask the employees of the Clallam County Road Department:
Please find enclosed a check for $400 to help support those in need.
We are proud to be able to support your fund again this year.
Even though our employees are feeling the effects of the economy slump — they still stepped up to the plate. Thank you for all the work you do to help those in need.
Or Margaret Conley of Port Angeles:
I am on housing and utility assistance.
I received a small check from family and would like to share half with someone in need.
Glad to share. Merry Christmas. God bless!
And Dick and Kitty Rucker of Port Townsend:
Thank you for this charity and the way that you give to people who need small amounts to get through their lives.
The donation from “WIMM of SCC” in Sequim came with a card that quoted Galatians 6:9: “Let us not become weary at doing good.”
This message was inside:
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.
Peninsula’s safety net
The Peninsula Home Fund began in 1989 and is a unique nonprofit collaboration between Peninsula Daily News readers and Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP), the No. 1 emergency services agency for Jefferson and Clallam counties.
It is a safety net for people in Jefferson and Clallam counties when they suddenly face an emergency situation and can’t find help elsewhere.
From Port Townsend to Forks, from Quilcene and Brinnon to Sequim and LaPush, the Home Fund provides 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 . . .
Almost 4,000 helped
The list goes on and on — from Jan. 1 until the money was exhausted shortly before Christmas, the Peninsula Home Fund in 2014 served 1,258 families — 3,951 individuals.
That’s a step up from 2013, when it served 3,393 individuals.
No money is deducted by the PDN for administration fees or any other overhead.
Every penny goes to OlyCAP to help the most vulnerable members of our community, from infants to families to seniors.
Assistance, which usually averages less than $100, is also limited to one time in a 12-month period.
But even though the dollar figures are small, the impact can be big, in huge, life-changing ways.
And, as needed, Peninsula Home Fund contributions are often used in conjunction with money from churches and other agencies, enabling OlyCAP to stretch the value of the contribution.
Bridging the chasm
The distance is often very short between those of us with jobs and homes and medical care — and those Peninsula residents for whom fate has dealt a much different reality.
Peninsula Home Fund workers again this year heard heartbreaking stories of unexpected poverty and illness — and more recipients were seeking help from the fund for the first time, often because a family member recently lost a job.
Always showing respect and kindness to people who don’t always receive that in their daily lives, Home Fund staff’s most important goal is to get the individual or family through a crisis and back on the path to self-sufficiency.
Whenever possible, Peninsula Home Fund 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 fund is not set up to hand out money passively; recipients play active roles in their own success, their own rehabilitation, their own empowerment, their own futures.
That’s the “hand up, not a handout” focus of the Home Fund.
All contributions are fully IRS tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law for the year in which a check is written.
Your personal information also 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, 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.
■ Port Townsend office is at 823 Commerce Loop; 360-385-2571. For Jefferson County residents.
■ 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.
Geoff Crump, OlyCAP’s executive director, oversees disbursements from the Home Fund.
He can be reached at 360-385-2571 or by emailing gcrump@olypen.com.
If you have any questions about the fund, phone John Brewer, PDN editor and publisher, at 360-417-3500 (with voice mail 24/7).
Or email Brewer at jbrewer@peninsuladailynews.com.
New contributions
Here is a list of donors whose contributions were processed between Dec. 25 and 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31.
Thank you very much for making a difference in the lives — and futures — of your neighbors:
■ Mark Hopkins, Port Townsend, a sixth-grader who gave us the $20 he got from his grandmother at Christmas.
■ Sonje Beal, Syracuse, Utah — $200. In memory of Craig Baughman.
■ J.C. and Pat, Sequim — $200. In honor of all cancer patients.
■ Bill and Rae Childers, Port Angeles — $100.
■ Mike Stiefel, Sequim — $250. In memory of Timothy Jon McCormick.
■ Emily and Len Mandelbaum, Port Townsend — $50.
■ Layton Carr, Sequim — $150.
■ Darryl Huddleston, Sequim — $100.
■ Carol and Ivan Hoyt, Sequim — $200.
■ Ed Chadd, Port Angeles — $100.
■ William and Nancy Irvine, Santa Barbara, Calif., and Sequim — $200.
■ Bill and Pennie Dickin, Sequim — $100. In honor of our mother, Phyllis Bowen.
■ Rod and Marilyn Mitchell, Port Townsend — $100.
■ John and Nancy Dolansky, Sequim — $100.
■ Audrey Bryant, Sequim — $500.
■ W. Ron and Merine Allen, Sequim — $500. In memory of Bill and Norma Allen.
■ DeDe Juliussen, Sequim — $100. In memory of Bud Deitz.
■ Mary and Kerry Kurhajetz-Smith, Ramsey, Minn. — $200.
■ David and Merry Estrem, Carlsborg — $100.
■ Smith – O’Hara – Parkers, Port Angeles — $100. In memory of Daniel Holmquist.
■ Gerald and Arlene Weed, Sequim — $100.
■ Anne Grandy, Sequim — $40.
■ Mike Delgreco, Sequim — $40.
■ Barbara Clampett, Port Angeles — $100. In memory of Bruce Clampett.
■ Lorna Konopaski, Port Angeles — $100. In honor of Warren and Marty.
■ Joy Beaver, Sequim — $250.
■ Jim and Leslie Mraz, Port Angeles — $100.
■ Diane Pirner, Sequim — $500. In memory of my husband, Conrad Pirner.
■ Ellen Gage, Port Angeles — $50.
■ Ed Bowlby and Mary Sue Brancato, Sequim — $75.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested that the amount of their donation be kept private):
■ Sheila Winstead, Sequim. In memory of my mother. Still miss her after all these years.
■ Port Townsend School of Massage, Port Townsend.
■ Carol Young and Glen Browning, Sequim.
■ Paul Richmond, Port Angeles.
■ Mary and Cullen Kelsoe, Port Angeles. In memory of our wonderful parents.
■ Dale and Barbara Cushman, Port Angeles. In memory of Irene Miller.
■ Lillie Wirt, Port Angeles. In memory of Will Wirt.
■ Evan Wirt, Redmond. In memory of my Dad, Will Wirt.
■ Eika Chiang and family, Newcastle. In memory of my dad, Will Wirt.
■ Heather Peters, Chimacum. In memory of Jack Phillips. For my grampy, the man with the biggest heart I ever saw. We carry your love and example in our hearts always.
■ Heather Peters, Chimacum. In memory of Ellsworth “Pete” Peters: For Grandpa — a husband, father, grandfather, veteran and friend who lived life with dignity and is remembered with love.
■ Bob and Carol Gudgel, Port Angeles.
■ Randy and Cindy Mesenbrink, Forks.
■ Terry and Patty Barlow, Port Angeles.
■ R.C. and Berta Olson, Sequim.
■ Kathleen M. Taylor, Port Ludlow.
■ Ted and Bobbie Simpson, Port Angeles. In honor of David Granson.
■ Paul and Paula Slyh, Sequim. In memory of loved ones.
■ Karen and David Papandrew, Sequim. In honor of David L. Faatz.
■ Al and Carla Angevine, Port Angeles.
■ Velma Winters, Port Angeles. In memory of Harold Winters and Robert Springfield.
■ Gary and Penny Williams, Sequim.
■ Darryl and Joan Walker, Sequim.
■ Michael and Barbara Maxwell, Port Angeles.
■ Hillary Wray, Port Angeles.
■ Maggie Jamison, Sequim. In memory of Judith Jones, Jack Lyon and Peter Simpson.
■ Lori Oakes and family, Port Angeles. In memory of Michael Oakes.
■ Theodore W. and Beverly Sullivan, Port Angeles. In memory of Ken and Margie Hansen, Dan Sullivan.
■ Anne and Vincent Murray, Port Angeles.
■ Jean Tyson, Port Angeles. In memory of Larry Schwedes.
■ Shaun Hubbard, Seattle. In honor of Tom Swanson and Robin Hubbard Swanson. Merry Christmas, Swanson Angels, Tom and Robin! Love, Shaun.
■ Klaus and Jan Hintermayr, Gardiner. In honor of wonderful neighbors.
■ John and Darlene Mjoen, Port Ludlow.
■ Rosemary Thompson, Port Angeles. In memory of Ray Thompson.
■ Edward Merrill and Cheryl Merrill, Port Townsend.
■ Donna M. Campbell, Sequim.
■ Jeanne M. Noyes, Port Townsend. In honor of best cat Smudgie, happy in California.
■ Barbara G. Hughes, Sequim.
■ Betty Nicholson, Port Angeles.
■ Dee and Garry Kispert, Sequim.
■ Bonnie and Walter Davison, Port Angeles. In memory of Anna Barrigan.
■ David and Loretta Bryant, Sequim.
■ Ake and Siv Almgren, Sequim.
■ Joseph Cammack, Port Angeles.
■ Sandy Frankfurth, Sequim.
■ Susan A. Kreml, Sequim. In memory of Mark Sias.
■ Sylvia Durrwachter, Port Angeles. In memory of my twin Dianne, mother Ruth, father Fred and friend Gladys Johnson. A hand up from someone who grew up out in the country, whose neighbors and friends assisted in a time of need.
■ Julia Roberts, Sequim. In honor of Randy Roberts. The best kind of gift to give is one to someone who really needs it.
■ Michael Moss and Betty Gordon, Sequim.
■ Thomas and Naomi Foley, Sequim. In memory of Glenn and Ruth Holtzer.
■ Jerry and Beth Culhane, Carlsborg.
■ Phil and Kathy Giuntoli, Port Angeles. In memory of the Page family: Kenny, Mildred, Larry and Keith.
■ William and Susan Bugg, Sequim.
■ John D. Anderson, Sequim.
■ Pat Gilbert, Port Angeles. In memory of Dottie Jensen, Anne Sistek, Vesta Eshelman.
■ Stanley and Mary Lou Johann, Sequim.
■ Deborah Willis, Port Angeles. In memory of Mom, Dad and Derek.
■ Kathleen Chapman, Port Angeles.
■ Barbara Wieseman, Sequim.
■ Earl and Marilyn Clark, Sequim. In honor of Sylvia Hartman, Dan Doran and our parents: Earl and Willa Dean Clark, John and Constance Chickowsky.
■ Soeren and Connie Poulsen, Sequim.
■ Bette Kerrigan, Port Angeles. In memory of my family — Jim Beasler, Betsy Jacobs, Tony Beasler.
■ Melissa F. Soares, Sequim. In memory of Hana Cannon.
■ Gary and Linda Reidel, Port Angeles. In loving memory of our dear friend, Mike “Sam” Sorenson.
■ Paul and Donna Downes, Port Angeles.
■ Pat Perry Nix, Sequim.
■ Don and Marilyn Thomas, Sequim. (There are so many worthy organizations to donate to, but we like the fact that recipients are in our local community. In other words, we like the way you do business!)
■ Bonnie Roos, Sequim. In memory of George and Ginny Anderson.
■ Allen and Lynda Estes, Sequim.
■ Russ and Becky Lindquist, Fresno, Calif.
■ Cynthia McNulty, Sequim. In memory of Lois McNulty.
■ Dave and Sally Ellefson, Port Angeles.
■ Vicky Murphy, Port Angeles.
■ Donald Thompson, Port Angeles.
■ Jim and Helen Oakland, Port Townsend.
■ Rex Wilson, Port Angeles. In memory of Henry Acevedo, Brad LaBrie, Jim Manders, Tom Thompson, Gary Jones. Great Peninsula Daily News journalists. We miss them all.
■ Scott Nagel and family, Port Angeles.
■ Robert A. Darst, Port Angeles.
■ Bonnie Bulach and Pete Mehl, Port Angeles. In memory of Karen Pruett-Baer.
■ Jim and Robbie Mantooth, Port Angeles. In honor of Hanako and Sora Iwasaki Mantooth. Honoring our grandchildren and setting an example for giving to those in need.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested anonymity):
■ Portland, Ore. — $160. In memory of Martin Konopaski.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $50.
■ Port Angeles — $50. In honor of Bill. Bill spends his days picking up after the environmentally challenged.
■ Sequim — $125.
■ Bake sale in Joyce — $56. The cash arrived with a tray of peanut-butter cookies.
■ Sequim — $200.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $500.
■ Carlsborg — $200.
■ Forks — $20. In memory of Betty Soderlind, who helped many people in her life. Thanks, Betty.
■ Port Angeles — $500.
■ Port Angeles — $500.
■ Port Angeles — $30.
■ Sequim — $40.
■ Port Ludlow — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Missoula, Mont. — $25. From Montana.
■ Port Angeles — $193.
■ Sequim — $150.
■ Port Angeles — $50.
■ Port Angeles — $25. In memory of Shirley Lackman.
■ Port Angeles — $50.
■ Chapel Hill, N.C. — $100. In memory of Earl and Bernice Parke.
■ Chapel Hill, N.C. — $100. In memory of Bob and Peggy Reith.
■ Sequim — $100. In memory of Lee Priest and Mary Ann Pavelski.
■ Port Angeles — $500.
■ Port Townsend — $100.
■ Sequim — $115.
■ Port Angeles — $150.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Sequim — $25.
■ Port Angeles — $1,000. In memory of Jack “Rocky” Rockwell. In memory of my true love, who enjoyed volunteering and helping others in need. He left his footprint on my heart and the hearts of many people who knew him.
■ Port Angeles — $200.
■ Sequim — $500.
■ Port Townsend — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $500.
■ Port Angeles — $400. In honor of the caregivers.
■ Port Townsend — $300. In memory of Jenny.
■ Sequim — $50.
■ Port Townsend — $350.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $100. In memory of Chase.
■ Port Angeles — $110. In honor of Vasili Arkhipov. “Thanks.”
■ Port Angeles — $50.
■ Port Townsend — $100.
■ Sequim — $200. In loving memory of Uncle Herb — the man who could and did dance all night.
■ Port Angeles — $250.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Sequim — $150.
■ Port Angeles — $75. In memory of Wayne/Lillian/Eddie. Your gifts to me made all the difference.
■ Sequim — $50. In honor of hope, health and happiness for all. May we find common ground and stand in unity for the better world our hearts know is possible here on our beloved Olympic Peninsula.
■ Port Townsend — $50. In memory of the parents of Linda Abbott.
■ Forks — $500. In honor of Jesus Christ.
■ Beaver — $50. In honor of all Clallam County Fire District No. 1 volunteer firefighters, past and present, and all volunteer EMTs who serve the West End.
■ Sequim — $1,500. Praying this donation will reach the people who need it the most.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $500.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Sequim — $500. In memory of Ms. Terri Hertzberg.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
_______
EVEN THE BEST 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.
