PORT TOWNSEND — United Good Neighbors is getting close to its $300,000 fundraising goal as the end of the campaign nears.
The organization, which provides money to area nonprofits, had received $275,00 in donations, as of Tuesday, said Carla Caldwell, UGN executive director.
The campaign officially wraps up Feb. 28.
“We are $35,000 ahead of last year’s campaign — about 90 percent of our $300,000 goal — so we know we will be able to increase our allocations to UGN programs in 2014,” said Debbie Reandeau, UGN board president.
“We hope people who have not yet contributed will do so now to help us reach our goal.”
The Port Townsend Paper Corp. and Jefferson Healthcare hospital employees contributed a record combined $86,664 to this year’s campaign — $45,000 from the mill workers and $41,664 from hospital personnel.
UGN also reports many first-time donors this year.
“This community is stepping up to the plate to provide a safety net to so many of our neighbors, and we are grateful,” Caldwell said.
Area nonprofit organizations will receive $200,000 in grants from UGN in 2013.
Mentoring program
One of those nonprofits, the Building Futures Mentoring Program, is one of four YMCA programs funded through UGN.
Briana Martin said having an adult mentor meet with her at school each week is “a lot of extra fun. It’s special.”
Her mentor, Renae Reed, said, “It’s a friendship and mentorship that could last a lifetime.”
“UGN receives wonderful feedback from people like Briana and Renae on a regular basis,” Caldwell said.
“Every day of every year, people in Jefferson County benefit from UGN funding.”
Emergency grants
In addition, the board has allocated a set-aside fund to make emergency grants and provide special funding to programs determined to support high-impact solutions for the community’s safety net.
The board currently is developing guidelines for distribution of the set-aside funds.
For more information about UGN-funded organizations or to make a donation, visit UGN’s website at www.WeAreUGN.org.
Donations also can be mailed to 291-A W. Patison St., Port Hadlock, WA 98338.
