A record-breaking $108,514.54 from people and organizations in Jefferson and Clallam counties was contributed to the Peninsula Daily News’ Peninsula Home Fund.
More than $15,000 in last-minute contributions arrived last week.
This final total for the 2004 campaign from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve smashed the old record set in 2003 of $77,608.34
Because the Peninsula Home Fund is down to pennies right now, a check will be given this week to OlyCAP — Olympic Community Action Programs, the No. 1 emergency care agency on the North Olympic Peninsula — so the money can begin helping your neighbors immediately.
OlyCAP manages the fund for the PDN and screens the applicants.
All Peninsula Home Fund contributions are fully IRS tax-deductible for the yearly period in which the check is written.
And 100 percent of the dollars donated go directly to assist those in need in Jefferson and Clallam counties.
Said Tim Hockett, OlyCAP’s deputy director:
“We now expect to serve nearly 1,500 people with the fund this coming year!
“We extend our thanks to the many hundreds of donors and the Peninsula Daily News for their unbridled enthusiasm for the Home Fund.
“You make this community one of the best in the world!”
Fund never closes
The books on the 2004 fund drive are now closed.
But the Peninsula Home Fund itself never closes.
Donations of any amount are always welcome.
They can be sent at any time to Peninsula Home Fund, Peninsula Daily News, P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
New contributions will go toward the 2005 campaign.
‘Hand-up, not handout’
Completing its 15th year, Peninsula Home Fund is a safety net for residents in Jefferson and Clallam counties when they face emergency situations — and can’t find help elsewhere.
From Port Townsend to Forks, from Quilcene and Brinnon to LaPush, it’s a helping hand for children, teens, families and the elderly.
Every dollar goes — without any deductions for costs — for hot meals for seniors, warm winter coats for kids, home repairs for the low income, needed prescription drugs, dental work, safe, drug-free temporary housing, eyeglasses — the list goes on and on.
The nonprofit program’s emphasis is on making sure no one falls through the cracks during the most demanding time of the year — winter.
In addition, all instances of help are designed to help get an individual or family back on the path to self-sufficiency.
OlyCAP’s 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.
In the past 12 months, the fund has assisted more than 1,000 individuals and households with a “hand-up, not a handout.”
No administrative costs
No money is diverted for administration or other overhead.
All costs are absorbed by Peninsula Daily News and OlyCAP.
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.
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 contributions.
To apply for a grant from the fund, phone OlyCAP at 360-452-4726 (Clallam County) or 360-385-2571 (Jefferson County).
There are OlyCAP offices in Port Townsend, Port Angeles and Forks.
New donations
The following are last week’s final contributions — thank you very much for making a difference in the lives — and futures — of your neighbors:
* J&J Construction, Port Angeles; $250. In honor of J&J Construction employees.
* Peninsula Daily News employees, Port Angeles; $1,839.
* Jerry and Jackie Schwagler, Port Angeles; $250.
* Jerry and Arlene Weed, Sequim; $100.
* The Van Riper Family, Sekiu; $250.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested that the amount of their donation be kept private):
* Angelo and Brenda Spandrio, Sequim.
* Randall Johnson, Port Angeles. In memory of G.W. Pat and Lorraine Johnson.
* Pat Mata, Port Angeles. In memory of Dorothy Jensen.
* George Lawrence, Sequim. In honor of Lou Lawrence.
* Dr. and Mrs. Eric C. Shreiber, Sequim. In memory of our parents.
* David and Eriko Goldstein, Neah Bay. In honor of those who serve.
* Agnes R. Hansen, Forks. In memory of my husband.
* John and Mario DeGutes, Sequim. In honor of Katie, Susie and Julie.
* Jean Irvine, Port Angeles. In memory of Julie Pruss.
* Donna and Eric Miner, Sequim. In honor of all single-parent dads.
* Carol Ann Novak, Port Angeles. In memory of Kenneth R. Novak.
* Kristin Slack and Alda Siebrands, Port Angeles. In memory of Bev Fleming.
* Robert H. Redding, Sequim. In memory of Emily.
* Vivian B. Orr, Sequim. In memory of M.H.O.
* The Hendrickson Family, Port Angeles.
* Frank and Joan Ducceschi, Port Angeles.
* Bryce Fish, Sequim.
* Bob and Joanne Bird, Brinnon.
* The Johansens, Sequim.
* Ed and Marcia Beggs, Sequim.
* William and Sharon Bugg, Sequim.
* Geoffrey and Diane Rogers, Port Angeles.
* Richard and Betty Southard, Port Townsend.
* Dean and Deb Reed, Port Angeles.
* Albert Burge, Sequim.
* Barnell Family, Port Angeles.
* Frank Trostle, Port Angeles.
* Loren and Vera Glica, Port Angeles.
* John and Mary Wegmann, Port Angeles.
* Vince and Rita Adragna, Sequim.
* Dick and Gloria Atkins, Port Townsend.
* Shirley and Bob Widdicombe, Sequim.
* Laurel Cripe and William Soderlind, Port Angeles.
* Donna K. Nagy, Port Angeles.
* Harry J. Gaab, Sequim.
* Betty Nicholson, Port Angeles.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested anonymity):
* $3,886.91 from the sale of stock by anonymous donors.
* Forks; $50. In memory of Wes Fitts.
* Port Townsend; $200. In memory of Thomas Joseph Bammert.
* Sequim; $100. In memory of Louise Reed (mother), John Reed (son and brother) and Hy and Natalie Chud (dad and stepmom).
* Port Angeles; $75. In honor of Ada Buchanan.
* Port Angeles; $10. This notice got my attention (“Nothing is deducted for administrative costs.”) No administrative fee and urgent needs, not frills.
* Sequim; $25. In memory of Elizabeth Vereide.
* Port Angeles; $10. In memory of our beloved ancestors and the ancestors of this land.
* Makawao, Hawaii; $100. In memory of Fred Stolz.
* Port Angeles; $50. In honor of our wonderful hospital and staff.
* Sequim; $500. In honor of the Cecil and Ruth Olsen family of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
* Port Angeles; $100. In honor of O’Rion, Kirsten and Nikita.
* Port Angeles; $25. In memory of Paul Pendergrass.
* Port Angeles; $125.
* Sequim $100.
* Port Angeles; $100.
* Sequim; $50.
* Sequim; $100.
* Sequim; $250.
* Forks; $500.
* Sequim; $200.
* Port Angeles; $20.
* Sequim; $100.
* Sequim; $200.
* Sequim; $50.
* Sequim; $200.
* Port Angeles; $100.
* Port Angeles; $50.
* Port Angeles; $50.
* Port Angeles; $100.
* Sequim; $20.
* Sequim; $50.
* Port Angeles; $30.
* Sequim; $100.
* Port Townsend; $100.
* Sequim; $75.
* Sequim; $75.
* Port Townsend; $100.
* Port Angeles; $30.
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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 e-mail him at john.brewer@peninsuladailynews.com.
We’ll rerun the listing correctly,
Our sincerest appreciation again to our donors.