EDITOR’S NOTE: This is another in a series of articles on the Peninsula Home Fund. Click on the Home Fund button at left and print out a coupon to accompany your donation.

PORT ANGELES — It was not the life Darci Hawks envisioned for herself as a child growing up in Port Angeles.

“I never thought I’d be a single mother with two kids to support on my own,” says Darci.

She credits the Peninsula Daily News’ Peninsula Home Fund for helping her get off welfare — and put her and two children on track for the future.

“They got me funds so I could get my foot through the door and on my way to independence,” she says.

As a girl, Darci dreamed of marrying a man who cherished her.

They would live in a picturesque home where she’d be a dedicated wife and mother.

She’s no longer na^opve enough to think that just because she falls in love with a man it means that he, too, shares that same dream.

Instead, Darci, now 28, found herself relying on the state’s welfare system to help raise her daughter Alexus, 4, and son Jessiah, 1.

“Reality struck, and I knew I had to find a way to support my kids and myself,” she says.

“I started looking for a way to get off public assistance programs.

“OlyCAP and the Home Fund gave it to me.”

OlyCAP — Olympic Community Action Programs — is the No. 1 emergency care agency on the North Olympic Peninsula.

The agency also screens applicants for the PDN’s Peninsula Home Fund and allocates the funds.

Began job, class

She enrolled in the OlyCAP Community Job Program.

Darci had prior experience working with the elderly as a nurses aide.

She was placed in a temporary job at OlyCAP’s Adult Action Center — a respite center for developmentally disabled adults and the elderly.

Through OlyCAP she also enrolled in a class to become a Certified Nurse’s Aide.

The class was free — but when it came time to take the state certification exam, Darci didn’t have the $120 exam fee.

Peninsula Home Fund paid the fee.

Darci passed the exam and received her certificate.

“Without the Home Fund paying for state exam, there was no way I’d have been able to do it on my own,” says Darci.

With certification, she was given a permanent position — with an increase in pay — at the Adult Active Center.

The center is only open three days a week. Darci works additional hours through OlyCAP and state social and health services’ home-care programs.

While Darci is at work, Alexus goes to OlyCAP’s Head Start school or day care. Her mother and a friend take turns watching Jessiah.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first went to OlyCAP,” says Darci.

“I went in blind just hoping to find a way to a better life — and I got it.”

`A hand-up, not a handout’

From Thanksgiving through Dec. 31, the PDN’s Peninsula Home Fund is seeking contributions for its 2006 holiday season fundraising campaign.

The PDN’s Peninsula Home Fund is a safety net for people like Darci in Clallam and Jefferson counties when they suddenly face an emergency situation and can’t find help elsewhere.

So far in 2006, the Peninsula Home Fund has given “a hand-up, not a handout” to Darci and more than 1,400 families and individuals across the North Olympic Peninsula.

From Port Townsend to Forks, from Quilcene and Brinnon to LaPush, the fund is a “hand-up, not a handout” for children, teens, families and the elderly when there is nowhere else to turn.

Every penny, every dollar, donated goes — without any deductions for administration or overhead — to making life better for children, teens, families and the elderly in Jefferson and Clallam counties.

The fund is used for hot meals for seniors, warm winter coats for kids, home repairs for the low income, needed eyeglasses and prescription drugs, dental work, safe, drug-free temporary housing . . . the list goes on and on.

The Peninsula Home Fund is unique and nonprofit.

* No money is deducted for administration or other overhead.

* All contributions are fully IRS tax-deductible.

* Your personal information is kept confidential. The 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.

* All 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.

* 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.

Spent by Dec. 31

* Begun in 1989, the fund is supported entirely by Jefferson and Clallam residents.

Individuals, couples, businesses and school groups set a new record for contributions in 2005 — $135,168.75.

As of Nov. 1, $110,943.13 had gone to help 1,439 individuals and families.

All of the money is expected to be spent by Dec. 31.

* 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.

* Money is usually distributed in small amounts, usually up to $150.

* Assistance is limited to one time in a 12-month period.

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; e-mail john.brewer@peninsuladailynews.com.

How to donate

A gift of any size is welcome.

The Peninsula Home Fund has never been a campaign of heavy hitters.

If you can contribute only a few dollars, please don’t hesitate because you think it won’t make a difference.

Every gift makes a difference, regardless of its size.

To donate, write a check to “Peninsula Home Fund” and attach it to the coupon that can be printed out by clicking on the “Home Fund” button at left.

Mail both items to Peninsula Home Fund, Peninsula Daily News, P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles 98362.

Or drop them at the newspaper’s offices in Port Townsend, Sequim or Port Angeles.

Again, all contributions are fully IRS tax-deductible.

You will receive a written thank you and acknowledgment of your contribution.

Peninsula Daily News publishes stories every Sunday and Wednesday during the fundraising campaign, listing contributors and reporting on how the fund works.

New contributions

The following are contributions received between Dec. 2 and Dec. 8 — thank you very much for making a difference in the lives — and futures — of your neighbors:

* Little River Tenancy-In-Common, Port Angeles — $50. In memory of Mary Daly.

* Cleve Landgston, Sequim — $50. In honor of Bert Raber.

* Tom and Anna Rixon, Port Angeles — $25. In memory of Karen Ness.

* Dorothy Munkeby, Port Angeles — $25. In memory of Dr. Terry Munkeby.

* Pat and Jim Bias, Sequim — $200. In memory of Jim Carl.

* Tom and Patti Marzullo, Port Angeles — $100. In memory of Helen Marzullo.

* Robert and Gisela Kavanaugh, Joyce — $250. In honor of Olympic Community Action Program volunteers.

* Sons of Norway Lodge No. 37, Port Angeles — $500.

* Residents of Park View Villas, Port Angeles — $378.

* Charles and Marilyn Whidden, Port Angeles — $200.

* Chief Master Sergeant (retired Air Force) Arthur E. Sutton, Port Ludlow — $100.

* Cynthia L. Rue, Sequim — $50.

* Tom Coville, Port Angeles — $50.

* Al and Lori Althoff, Port Angeles — $100.

* Robert and Ann Kennedy, Port Angeles — $100.

* Erwin and Renate Ortmann, Sequim — $150.

* Nancy and Larry Lang, Port Angeles — $50.

* Edythe Preston, Sequim — $50.

* F. Weldon and Joan C. Sharp, Sequim — $100.

* Donald and Nancy Morton, Port Ludlow — $100.

* Ray Weinmann, Port Angeles — $250.

* Andy and Eleanor Geiger, Port Angeles — $250.

* Ell and Kathie Schober, Port Angeles — $100.

* Gene and Ann Trelstad, Port Angeles — $25.

Many thanks also to these donors who requested that the amount of their donation be kept private:

* Peninsula Daily News Advertising Department. In lieu of flowers for Sandy Bloor, at this time of her surgery.

* Angelo and Brenda Spandrio, Sequim.

* Patrick and Casey Gooch Foundation, Sequim. In memory of Patrick and Casey Gooch.

* Bob’s Electric, Inc., Port Angeles.

* Olympic Electric Co., Inc., Port Angeles.

* Six McElroy grandkids, Port Angeles. In memory of Grandpa Jack.

* Frances Streva, Sequim. In memory of Clara Benson.

* Tara Sparkman and Craig Andrews, Port Angeles. In memory of Michael Browning.

* Marie Oakley, Sequim. In memory of Arthur Oakley.

* Carla Jordan, Sequim. In memory of Gerald and Frances Claus.

* Leila Roberts, Port Angeles. In memory of Dan Roberts Sr.

* Mr. and Mrs. Don Gray, Port Angeles. In memory of our moms and dads.

* Jerry and Arlene Weed, Sequim. In memory of Jim Phillips.

* Doug and Marline Atterbury, Port Angeles. In memory of John O’Connor.

* Doug and Trudy Rittenhouse, Port Angeles. In honor of Dorothy Nyberg.

* Edmund A. Hinke, Port Angeles. In honor of Betty Troxel.

* Genevieve Gorski, Port Townsend. In memory of John and Jennie Sokol.

* Tom Santos, Sequim. In memory of Frank Godfrey.

* Agnes R. Hansen, Forks. In memory of Larry Hansen, my husband.

* Emery and Lila Winters, Port Angeles. In memory of Emery and Nancy Winters.

* Candace Chavis, Port Angeles. In memory of Frances I. Chavis.

* George Grier, Port Angeles. In memory of Rowan and Vic Bryant.

* Kerry and Marilyn Perkins, Port Angeles. In memory of Eva Wilson.

* Laurent and Betty Lamoureux, Sequim. In memory of Michael Lamoureux.

* Joan Walker, Sequim. In memory of Len and Jim.

* Ed King and Carin Phaneuf, Port Angeles. In honor of Barbara and Lorida.

* Tom and Russelle Graf, Port Angeles. In memory of Karen Byrd.

* Bob and Peggy Forton, Sequim. In memory of son, Mark.

* Elaine and Arni Fredrickson, Sequim. In memory of Elaine’s sister, Lynn.

* Rosemary Russell, Port Townsend. In memory of Greg McMillan, to honor his many years of concern and action for homeless persons.

* Del and Kris Cadwallader, Port Angeles. In memory of our “sister,” Barbara McBride, and “brother,” Basil “Andy” Decker. Ride in peace. We love you.

* Anna M. Clawson, Port Angeles. In memory of Bob Clawson.

* Tom and Carol Sinton, Port Angeles. In memory of Mary Sinton.

* Sue and John Miles, Port Angeles. In memory of Walter.

* Verna Partridge, Port Angeles. In memory of John Partridge.

* Bill and Lynnette Baughman, Sequim. In memory of Craig Baughman.

* Jane and Randy Priest, Sequim. In loving memory of our mothers, Irma Priest and Gloria Eacrett.

* Joan and Richard Sargent, Port Angeles. In memory of daughter Paula Sargent.

* Kathleen Chapman, Port Angeles. In memory of Jack B. Chapman.

* Pat Vautier, Port Angeles. In memory of Dan Vautier.

* M.L. Lovell, Port Angeles. In memory of Evelyn Patterson.

* Ann Chang, Port Angeles. In memory of Lucy Ordona. Lucy, thank you for being an aunt to my children and for always being there for me. I shall always love you and miss you.

* Ann Chang, Port Angeles. In memory of Doug Kubalek. Doug, your legacy lives on in your children and grandchildren and in every one of your Crescent School students. Thank you for a job well done.

* Jim and Rachael Graham, Port Angeles. In honor of all Marines — past and present.

* Harold and Shirley Van Riper, Sequim. In honor of the Van Riper family in Sekiu and Sequim.

* Dale Robirts, Sequim. In memory of Mel Kent.

* Roy and Elisabeth Wilson, Sequim. In memory of Michael Haley.

* E.J. Voight, Port Angeles. In honor of Hugo Chavez.

* Robert and Mary Brodhun, Port Angeles. In memory of Julie, Mike and Jan.

* Donna and Eric Miner, Sequim. In honor of all single-parent dads.

* David and Jenny Marceau, Sequim. In memory of Steve Wilson.

* Stan and Sally Garlick, Port Angeles. In memory of Robert Lee Wilcox.

* Jodi O’Neill, Port Angeles. In memory of Col. F. M. O’Neill, USAF.

* Bob and Carol Philpott, Port Angeles. In memory of Jean Stolley.

* Kay McClurken, Port Angeles. In memory of Coach McClurken.

* Don and Peggy Whitmire, Sequim. In honor of Ellis R. Clapp.

* Lucille Caughron, Sequim. In memory of Leonard Caughron.

* Daphne Raymond, Port Angeles. In memory of Leo Raymond.

* Kathleen Melton, Port Angeles. In memory of Joseph Melton.

* Donna Frazer. Port Angeles. In memory of Edward Frazer.

* June German, Port Angeles. In honor of my 12 grandchildren, married and single.

* Linda Button, Port Angeles. In memory of Hope Hodges.

* Richard and Karen Grennan, Sequim. In memory of Julia Hubbard.

* Gene and Lois Brown, Sequim. In memory of Greg Brown.

* Joel and Jada Wood, Port Angeles. In memory of great-grandfather, Maneval.

* Neal and Kathryn Fridley, Port Angeles. Dear PDN Neighbor: Here’s a little donation to the Peninsula Daily News Home Fund, with our grateful thanks for all you do. Neal and Kathryn.

* Mary K. Otto, Port Angeles. In memory of Si Otto.

* Reetz Insurance Services, Port Angeles.

* Peninsula Collections Services, Inc., Port Angeles.

* Adrienne D. Monro, Port Angeles.

* Phyllis and Ed Hopfner, Port Angeles.

* James M. and Barbara J. Bunger, Port Angeles.

* Ronald J. and Marilyn L. Carlson, Sequim.

* Jack and Linda Anderson, Sequim.

*. Bill and Nada Johnson, Port Angeles.

* Gary and Geri Braun, Port Angeles.

* Maxine Ochoa, Sequim.

*. Eileen T. Gardoff, Sequim.

* The Oak Family, Port Angeles.

* Dale and Kathryn Hofer, Port Angeles.

* Fred and Carol Royce, Port Angeles.

* Laurel L. Burton, Port Angeles.

* Dottie Hopkins, Port Angeles.

* Mike DelGreco, Sequim.

* Wayne and Claudia Barrett, Port Angeles.

* James R. McPherson, Port Angeles.

* Eleanor A. Thornton, Forks.

* Sarah A. Petersen, Port Angeles.

* Dick Foster, Port Angeles.

* Richard and Etta MacDonald, Port Ludlow.

* Barbara K. Miller, Port Angeles.

* Dan and Esther Darrow, Port Ludlow.

* Merle M. Crawford, Port Angeles.

* Fred and Alta Wilson, Port Angeles.

* Mark and Pat Lewis, Sequim.

* Nydia Levick, Sequim.

* Charlotte Petersen, Port Angeles.

* Barbara H. McCabe, Sequim.

* Bill and Josi Hiller, Port Angeles.

* Donald H. Hall, Sequim.

* Ruth Lund, Port Angeles.

* Mr. and Mrs. Williams Beal, Port Angeles.

* Richard and Wilma Williams, Sequim.

* Rolland and Diane Kenitzer, Port Angeles.

* Bob Pasco, Sequim.

* Peter Uglesich, Port Townsend.

* Ray and Kelly Putman, Congress, Ariz.

* Mary Bienert, Sequim.

* Virgil Read, Port Angeles.

* Mr. and Mrs. Forrest W. Jeffery, Sequim.

* Joseph and Judy Price, Sequim.

* Don Case and Joanne Peterson, Port Townsend.

* John and Pam Clise, Port Townsend. (Requested that their donation be used in Jefferson County.)

* Harveen Statler and Ernest Nelson, Sequim.

* Voneda Stiewe, Chimacum.

* Corky and Velma Johnson, Port Angeles.

* Julian and Maureen McCabe, Port Angeles.

* Keith and Fran Wollen, Port Angeles.

* Rene and Diane Croteau, Port Angeles.

* Robert and Sheila Becker, Port Angeles.

* Doreen Pierson, Port Angeles.

* Jim and Sally Halvorsen, Port Angeles.

* Kathleen Young, Port Townsend.

* Barbara Edl and Paul Kacanick, Sequim.

* Lloyd and Bertha Allen, Port Angeles.

* Ken and Christine Hohman, Port Townsend.

* Bob and Jean Pfeiffer, Port Angeles.

* Mary Blackwood, Port Angeles.

* Marvin and Carolyn Morillo, Port Angeles.

* Gail Hebrank and Scott Younkin, Port Angeles.

* Mary Thayne, Sequim.

* Joseph and Judy Price, Sequim.

* Jack and Millie Lyon, Port Angeles.

* A.V. and Mary Robinson, Port Angeles.

* Larry and Lynn Gosser, Port Angeles.

* Will and Carolyn Muller, Port Angeles.

* Don and Marilyn Grow, Chimacum.

* Richard A. and Crystal J. Sherman, Port Angeles.

* Sharon Hollatz, Port Angeles.

* Frank and Marie Paynter, Port Angeles.

* H.J. and Donna Legg, Carlsborg.

* Bernie and Roxanne Fryer, Sequim.

* Oke Lindh, Port Hadlock.

* Georgia E. Fraker, Port Angeles.

* Marilyn Bosckis, Sequim.

* May Y. Carrell, Port Angeles.

* Shirley and Bob Widdicombe, Sequim.

* Frank and Majlis Nilsen, Port Angeles.

* Dick and Connie Thorson, Port Angeles.

* Ron and Luann Kennedy, Port Angeles.

* Rick and Kim McDougal, Carlsborg.

* Monty and Debbie Howe, Port Angeles.

* Cliff and Isabell Forward, Port Townsend.

* Brice Glende and Eliska Skopecek, Port Angeles.

* Hazel Gershowitz, Port Angeles.

* Beverly M. Johnston, Port Angeles.

Many thanks also to these donors who requested anonymity:

* Sequim. In memory of Don LaGuardia.

* Sequim. In honor of our mothers.

* Sequim. In honor of Disabled American Veterans, Port Angeles.

* Port Angeles. In memory of Ed Moriarty.

* Port Hadlock. “God bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you.” This will be a wonderful year for you! May this be just a small beginning for all the blessing coming y our way . . . Season’s Greetings and Happy New Year.

* Port Angeles. In honor of John Brewer in gratitude for all of John’s hard work to make this project so successful.

* Port Angeles. In memory of Chris Flake.

* Port Townsend. In memory of Rob Wright. For the Home Fund — Christmas Love and Peace and Cheer to you all this coming year! In loving memory of our dear son, Rob. [And to the swell staff of the Peninsula Daily News, May all the joys of the season be yours! Your editor and reporters are the best!]

* Sequim. In memory of Beverly Barnes.

* Port Angeles. In memory of Dean Palmer.

* Sequim. In honor of the homeless.

* Port Angeles. In honor of Valerie.

* Port Angeles — $50. Thank you for making it so easy to help out!

* Sequim — $100.

* Sequim — $20.

* Port Angeles — $100.

* Port Angeles — $50.

* Port Townsend — $100.

* Port Angeles — $100.

* Sequim — $200.

* Sequim — $20.

* Sequim — $25.

* Sequim — $30.

* Port Angeles — $50.

* Port Townsend — $25.

* Sequim — $200.

* Sequim — $100.

* Port Angeles — $25.

* Sequim — $1,000.

* Sequim — $100.

* Port Angeles — $100.

* Sequim — $200.

* Nordland — $100.

* Sequim — $100.

* Sequim — $50.

* Carlsborg — $100.

* Nordland — $25.

* Port Angeles — $25.

* Port Angeles — $100.

* Port Angeles — $50.

* Port Angeles — $200.

* Port Townsend — $100.

* Port Angeles — $20.

* Sequim — $25.

* Sequim — $100.

* Port Angeles — $100.

* Sequim — $100.

* Port Ludlow — $300.

* Port Angeles — $25.

* Sequim — $101.

* Sequim — $10.

* Port Angeles — $250.

* Port Angeles — $50.

* Sequim — $100.

* Sequim — $50.

* Port Angeles — $100.

* Sequim — $50.

* Port Ludlow — $20.

* Port Townsend — $100.

* Sequim — $100.

* Sequim — $150.

* Port Townsend — $50.

* Sequim — $100.

* Port Angeles — $50.

* Port Townsend — $500.

* Sequim — $50.

* Sequim — $150.

* Sequim — $25.

* Sequim — $100.

* Port Angeles — $200.

* Port Angeles — $169.

* Sequim — $50.

* Port Angeles — $25.

* Sequim — $25.

* Sequim — $100.

* Port Angeles — $50.

* Sequim — $100.

* Sequim — $150.

* Sequim — $25.

* Port Angeles — $100.

* Port Angeles — $50.

* Port Ludlow — $100.

* Sequim — $100.

* Sequim — $200.

* Sequim — $100.

* Port Angeles — $200.

* Sequim — $25.

* Port Angeles — $25.

* Port Angeles — $50.

* Port Angeles — $1,000.

* Port Angeles — $30.

* Port Angeles — $50.

* Port Angeles — $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, john.brewer@peninsuladailynews.com. Our sincerest appreciation again to our donors.