CHIMACUM — Six local businesses and individuals are being recognized for their social prowess by the area’s leading agency serving low-income residents.
“We serve a significant amount of people — the numbers are staggering for what we do,” said Linda Haskell, special projects coordinator for Olympic Community Action Programs.
“It’s these businesses and organizations that make us able to do what we do.”
Each was recognized by OlyCAP at the non-profit’s fourth annual Jefferson County Partnership Awards luncheon Friday.
County District Court Judge Mark Huth presented the awards.
* Suzy Rossi of Port Townsend was honored for her efforts “almost single-handedly” putting OlyCAP in contact with 70 homeless people in the county for a survey.
“She was very sensitive and very tenacious to build trust with these people,” Haskell said.
* Peninsula Truck Lines and Kurt Vanderpol were recognized for providing free trucking of food bank items for the past 16 years.
“Most recently, they agreed to make monthly trips to Northwest Harvest in Seattle,” Haskell said. “This resulted in 18,000 additional pounds of food in the food bank in the last three months — all with one phone call.”
* Travelers Propane of Port Townsend and owners Lonnie and Rebbecca Holbrook have been going “above and beyond the call of duty,” Haskell said.
Particularly around Christmas time, OlyCAP clients have been short on money and the Holbrooks have donated their time and propane to keep low-income families’ homes heated, Haskell said.
* Lisa Hanes with U.S. Bank and Joy McFadden with First Federal Savings and Loan have taught 13 families to manage their finances better.
Through a program called Great Idea, the banks give $2 to every $1 the low-income client puts forward to purchase a home, further their education or buy a business.
* The Quilcene Lions Club has been financially backing OlyCAP’s program to supply cash-strapped residents with eye glasses for many years, Haskell said.
