PORT ANGELES — When asked what he wants for Christmas, a resident of Arlene Engel House, replied, “I just want wool socks.”
Arlene Engel House is the 19-bed boarding home of Peninsula Behavioral Health that houses some of the community’s most severely mentally-ill patients.
They are all on fixed incomes, and typically have less than $25 per week to spend on personal items.
Many have no family in the area, said Rebekah Miller, development coordinator for Peninsula Behavioral Health.
This year, there’s going to be more than a pair of socks under the Christmas tree.
Resurrecting a former tradition, staff member Jane Lorentzen, clinical administrative assistant, organized a baked goods auction to fund Christmas gifts for Peninsula Behavioral Health’s residential clients.
Twenty-six employees brought homemade confections, and a silent auction was held at the agency.
By the end of the six-hour bidding period, the staff had raised $563.
“It was awesome,” Lorentzen said. “The staff just came forward. I’m so tickled.”
All of the proceeds will be used to buy gifts for the clients, Miller said.
Said Lorentzen:
“We have a giving tree, too, where residents put their wishes and all of those have gone to staff members so they can buy presents for Christmas.”
With a staff that hovers around 100, Peninsula Behavioral Health has served more than 3,300 residents of Clallam County this year, Miller said.
Donations can be made to Peninsula Behavioral Health at any time,
Miller said.
Some of the items in high demand are two large non-stick frying pans, twin plastic mattress covers, pillows and zippered cotton pillowcase protectors (standard size), wall clocks for the residents’ rooms and art supplies.
For more information, visit peninsulabehavioral.org.
