NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, Jan. 16.
PORT ANGELES — Betsy Reed Schultz will “rough it” during a 24-hour camp-out in the Captain Joseph House gazebo to raise money for the nonprofit foundation that will offer respite to families of fallen military service members.
The Gazebo Camp-In will be from 3 p.m. today through 3 p.m. Saturday at the house at 1108 S. Oak St.
It will include a roaring fire to gather around with marshmallows to toast and Saturday tours of the nearly complete haven for Gold Star families.
Schultz, Captain Joseph House founder, and volunteers will take donations and talk to anyone who wants to stop by the house, which is expected to be opened in May.
“I will stay awake all night, and I’ll be taking donations,” Schultz said.
“We’re going to barbecue all night, roast marshmallows and make s’mores.”
The yard and the exterior of the house will be lit up during nighttime hours, she said, and a tent will provide shelter for an information booth that will include a video about the history of the house and the project.
Volunteers will accompany Schultz in shifts, including three who will be doing construction work inside the house and those who will take visitors on guided tours of the house from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Named for Schultz’s son
Captain Joseph House is named for Schultz’s son, Army Capt. Joseph Schultz, who was killed in combat May 29, 2011, in Afghanistan.
Schultz and her crew are remodeling her building, the former Tudor Inn bed-and-breakfast, into a retreat to provide an all-expense-paid weeklong respite for families of fallen members of the armed services.
Gold Star families are named for the gold star flag granted to identify the families of fallen service members.
The flags, which feature a large gold star on a white field and a red border, have been a symbol of loss since it was authorized by President Woodrow Wilson in 1918.
Recently, the house has received a new roof, and many of the interior portions of the house are nearing completion, Schultz said.
“It’s not finished by any means,” she said.
Even the gazebo she will be staying in is still not quite done, she added.
Soft grand opening
A soft grand opening is tentatively scheduled for May 24, with the first families to be welcomed later in the summer.
Once opened, the house will be the only Gold Star family sanctuary of its kind in the nation.
It will host up to three families a week, 11 months a year.
Tonight’s camp-out is the second fundraiser of the year for the Captain Joseph House foundation.
The Black Bear Diner at 1471 E. Washington St. in Sequim donated 15 percent of its receipts from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday to the foundation.
Other fundraisers are coming up:
■ On Jan. 24 will be Jump-In to 2015, which will feature a barbecue dinner with the Just Friends Trio at Sit-N-Bull Tavern, 510 Beech St., Port Angeles, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Tickets are $55 for general admission and $50 for veterans.
The deadline for buying tickets is Monday.
To buy, phone 360-460-4079.
■ On Feb. 7 will be the Captain Joseph Family Festival with a prime rib dinner, dance, auction and children’s carnival at Shelton Elks Lodge 2467, 741 S.E. Craig Road, Shelton, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for veterans.
■ On Feb. 14, H20 Waterfront Bistro at 222 N. Lincoln St. in Port Angeles will host a Valentine Day Dinner Benefit for Captain Joseph House. A price or time was not available.
■ On March 14, the Eagle Aerie 2338 in Port Orchard will host a spaghetti dinner benefitting the Captain Joseph House Foundation.
The dinner will be $8 per person at the aerie at 4001 Jackson Avenue S.E. The time was not available.
■ On March 28 will be the third annual Captain Joseph House dinner and auction at C’est Si Bon, 23 Cedar Park Drive, Port Angeles.
Tickets are $85 for general admission and $75 for veterans.
There has been an increase in interest in the Captain Joseph House from outside areas, Schultz said, with fundraisers planned by groups from the Kitsap Peninsula to Miami, Fla.
That is a good match to the intent of the Captain Joseph House, Schultz said.
“It reaches out to Gold Star families all over our country. It’s nice to have the support,” she said.
For more information about upcoming events or general questions, phone Sam Coyle at 360-460-4079 or Schultz at 360-460-7848, visit www.CaptainJosephHouseFoundation.org or www.facebook.com/CaptainJosephHouse, or email CPTJosephHouse@cjhf.org.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
