EDITOR’S NOTE: This is another in a series of PDN articles on the Peninsula Home Fund. The next article will appear Wednesday.
PORT ANGELES — Rita “Nan” Heathers is an energetic 66-year-old with a very big heart.
She can be found helping feed the homeless of the Port Angeles area and assisting where she can to ensure those less fortunate have a roof over their head.
Heathers helps on the food line at the City Pier and cooks occasionally at the Salvation Army.
Her support is not confined to downtown either. She routinely has housed homeless people in her own home.
She even has a fifth-wheel recreation vehicle that she houses people in from time to time.
“I have two young men now,” she says, “and once I kept a girl for nearly seven months.
“Once I kept a family of four for a period of time.”
“Her generous spirit is pretty remarkable,” says Marcia McEvoy, client services specialist for OlyCAP, “especially in light of her loss and limited income.”
And that’s where the Peninsula Daily News’ Peninsula Home Fund came to the rescue — to give her “a hand up, not a handout.”
OlyCAP — Olympic Community Action Programs, the No. 1 emergency care agency on the North Olympic Peninsula — screens applicants and manages the Peninsula Home Fund.
The Home Fund is unique and nonprofit.
From Port Townsend to Forks, from Quilcene and Brinnon to LaPush, it is a safety net for residents when there is nowhere else to turn.
Every penny donated goes — without any deductions for administration or overhead — to making life better for children, teens, families and the elderly in Jefferson and Clallam counties.
The fund is used for hot meals for seniors, warm winter coats for children, home repairs for the low income, needed eyeglasses and prescription drugs, dental work, safe, drug-free temporary housing . . . the list goes on and on.
Loss of husband
Heathers’ loss was the death of her husband, Daryl, who was killed three years ago when the roof of their porch on which he was working collapsed.
“I had not been able to work for years and my husband took good care of me,” says Heathers.
Plagued by a number of health issues, she now lives on a limited pension from the Social Security Administration. She is legally disabled.
“I am able to help people because I get support from my church family and from resources like the Port Angeles Food Bank,” Heathers said.
“But my finances are tight. I only have about $1,000 per month income and have to spend over $200 a month on medicines.”
Her life as a helper was severely compromised this past summer when she developed a toothache.
“My tooth hurt so bad that I was crying, she said.
“I knew that if it got any worse, the distress would cause my heart to act up.
“I went to [Olympic Community Action Programs] because I knew they could help me.”
McEvoy at OlyCAP was able to use $100 from the Peninsula Daily New’ Home Fund as partial payment for a dental appointment to address Heathers’ dental emergency.
“Since I have been on disability and my widow’s pension, I have been able to turn to OlyCAP for help from time to time,” she said.
“I have also received energy assistance. I can’t even find words to tell you how grateful I am.
“It is more than a blessing. [The Home Fund] makes your heart full when you know that the community loves each other.”
No deductions
From Thanksgiving through Dec. 31, the PDN’s Peninsula Home Fund is seeking contributions for its annual holiday season fund-raising campaign.
* No money is deducted for administration or other overhead.
* Contributions are fully IRS tax-deductible.
* Your personal information is kept confidential. Peninsula Daily News does not rent, sell, give or otherwise share your address or other information with anyone, or make any other use of it.
* All instances of help are designed to get an individual or family through the crisis — and back on the path to self-sufficiency. That’s the “hand up, not a handout” focus of the fund.
* Peninsula 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.
Spent by Dec. 31
Started in 1989, the fund is supported entirely by Jefferson and Clallam residents.
Individuals, couples, businesses and school groups set a new record for contributions in 2004 — $108,514.54.
All of that money is expected to be spent by Dec. 31.
As of mid-November the fund had helped almost 1,400 individuals and families.
* 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 contribution.
* Money is usually distributed in small amounts, usually up to $100.
* Assistance is limited to one time in a 12-month period.
To apply for a grant from the fund, call OlyCAP at 360-452-4726 (Clallam County) or 360-385-2571 (Jefferson County).
If you have any questions about the fund, contact John Brewer, Peninsula Daily News editor and publisher, at 360-417-3500, or e-mail him at john.brewer@ peninsuladailynews.com.
How to donate
A gift of any size is welcome.
The Peninsula Home Fund has never been a campaign of heavy hitters.
If you can contribute only a few dollars, please don’t hesitate because you think it won’t make a difference.
Every gift makes a difference, regardless of its size.
To donate, write a check to “Peninsula Home Fund” and attach it to the coupon that can be printed out by clicking on the “Home Fund” button at left.
Mail both items to Peninsula Home Fund, Peninsula Daily News, P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles 98362.
Or drop them at the newspaper’s offices in Port Townsend, Sequim or Port Angeles (addresses on page A2 of the PDN daily).
Again, contributions are fully IRS tax-deductible.
You will receive a written thank you and acknowledgment of your contribution.
Peninsula Daily News publishes stories every Wednesday and Sunday during the fundraising campaign listing contributors and reporting on how the fund works.
New contributions
The following are contributions received between Dec. 3-9 — thank you very much for making a difference in the lives — and futures — of your neighbors:
* Monterra Home Owners, Port Angeles, $116 — The residents of Monterra are happy to donate this check from collecting aluminum cans to the Peninsula Home Fund.
* C. and L. Langford, Port Angeles, $100 — In honor of our armed forces.
* Donna Foley, Port Angeles, $100 — In memory of my husband, Bill Foley.
* Pat and Jim Bias, Sequim, $100 — In memory of Jim Carl.
* Tina, Pat and Trisha O’Hara, Port Angeles, $100 — In memory of Daniel Holmquist.
* Dr. W. Alvin Gross, Port Angeles, $500 — In memory of Darlene Gross.
* Lynn and Jenifer Taylor, Port Townsend, $250 — In memory of Lucille Watson.
* Mount Pleasant Homemakers, Port Angeles, $50 — To be used in Clallam County.
* Betty H. Paulk, Sequim, $100.
* Randy and Jane Priest, Sequim, $200.
* Joel and Nancy Magisos, Sequim, $100.
* G.W. Thorsen and K.M. Reed, Port Townsend, $100.
* Yvonne Dillon and Daniel Zimm, Port Townsend, $100.
* Joy McQueen, Sequim, $100.
* Jerry and Arlene Weed, Sequim, $100.
* Jack Murphy, Port Angeles, $100.
* Ken and Marge Hansen, Port Angeles, $100.
* Richard and Gayle Larson, Sequim, $50.
* The Van Riper Family, Sekiu/Sequim, $250.
* E.J. and Alice McKeever, Sequim, $100.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested that the amount of their donation be kept private):
* The Fox Family, Sequim — In memory of Dan Holmquist.
* Chuck and Marian McGilvra, Port Angeles — In memory of Judy Morgan.
* Dorothy M. Rasmussen, Port Angeles — In memory of Walter E. Rasmussen.
* Dale Doran, Port Angeles — In memory of Ruth Doran, Loveday Duncan and Alvin Duncan.
* Bill and Joan Riedel, Sekiu — In memory of Joe and Eva Riedel.
* Julian and Maureen McCabe, Port Angeles — In memory of our parents.
* Sharin Metcalf, Sequim — In memory of loving parents Audrey and Clarence Baker.
* Tim and Teri Cummings, Sequim — In memory of Marty Konopaski.
* Edward Hammer, Port Angeles — In memory of Rosa Hammer: Rosa, you are in the hearts and thoughts of your family and friends. We miss you and think of you every day. Dad and Lanna.
* Dorothy Munkeby, Port Angeles — In memory of Lewis H. Rumbaugh.
* Jean G. Walker, Sequim — In memory of Leonard Walker.
* Willard and Carolyn Muller, Port Angeles — In memory of Huntley Stone.
* Jean Coplin, Port Angeles — In memory of William Coplin.
* William M. Waddell, Port Angeles — In memory of L.P. Rasmussen.
* Tom Barber, Port Angeles — In memory of Ken Berg and Doris Barber.
* Alfred E. Smith, Port Angeles — In memory of Norma Jean Smith. (Clallam only.)
* Robert M. Schober, Sequim — In memory of Dorothy Schober.
* Lillian Green, Port Angeles — In memory of Harold Green
* Lois Camealy, Galena, Ohio — In memory of my uncle, Wm. “Beacon Bill” Welsh and my mother, Nan Welsh Anthony.
* Lucille Caughron, Sequim — In memory of Leonard Caughron.
* Sue Priddy, Port Angeles — In memory of Lucille Galyean.
* Ed and Carol Fjerstad, Sequim — In memory of Burnie Fjerstad.
* Norman Gallacci, Lacey — In memory of relatives passed: Alfred and Donald Gallacci, Angelo and Emily Gallacci; Marvin Thoen, Harold and Valda Morris.
* G. Grier, Port Angeles — In memory of Rowan Bryant.
* Olympic Electric Co. Inc., Port Angeles.
* Vivian E. Chambers, Port Angeles.
* Wilma and Richard O. Williams, Sequim.
* Levetta Frymire, Port Angeles.
* Sue and C.V. Tondreau, Sequim.
* Voneda Stiewe, Chimacum.
* Dan and Patricia Nellis, Sequim.
* Larey and Silvia Fox, Sequim.
* Sam and Martha Baker, Port Angeles.
* Orville and Jean Allen, Sequim.
* Angelo and Brenda Spandrio, Sequim.
* John and Harriet Salathe, Sequim.
* Bob Boardman and Susan Chadd, Port Angeles.
* Bob and Ann Kennedy, Port Angeles.
* Peninsula Floors and Furnishings, Port Townsend.
* Stephen Conner and Mary Jenkins, Port Townsend.
* Bill and Barb Pearl, Port Angeles.
* Richard Serkes and Theresa Killgore, Port Angeles.
* Eleanor A. Thornton, Forks.
* Dan and Esther Darrow, Port Ludlow.
* Jean and Gene Spargo, Sequim.
* Lee and Irene Wyman, Port Angeles.
* Bob and Joanne Bird, Brinnon.
* Ruth Lund, Port Angeles.
* Amber M. McCoy, Port Angeles.
* Gary and Geri Braun, Port Angeles.
* Mr. and Mrs. Williams Beal, Port Angeles.
* Bill Soderlind and Laurel Cripe, Port Angeles.
* Eldora Pederson, Port Angeles.
* Hazel Gershowitz, Port Angeles.
* Maxine Hollman, Port Ludlow.
* Ron and LuAnn Kennedy, Port Angeles.
* Dolores Mangano, Port Angeles.
* Steven and Joy Miller, Sequim.
* Jacob and Karin Dethlefs, Sequim.
* Judith West, Port Townsend.
* Dan and Judy Hendrickson, Port Angeles.
* Muriel Cook, Sequim.
* Mark and Pat Lewis, Sequim.
* John and Rosemary Forster, Port Angeles.
* Esther Parker, Port Angeles.
* Bill and Beverlee Benbow, Sequim.
* Jean and Everett Tozier, Port Angeles.
* Robert and Susan Erzen, Sequim.
* Gary and Lynn Anderson, Sequim.
* Lula S. Rumbaugh, Port Angeles.
* Don Wilson, Port Townsend.
* Bob and Berit Cole, Sequim.
* Robert and Sheila Becker, Port Angeles.
* Doug McClary, Sequim.
* Eunice L. Sharnbroich, Port Angeles.
* Al Jensen, Port Angeles.
* Donald Case and Joanne Peterson, Port Townsend.
* Paul Mowery, Port Angeles.
* Erwin and Diane Jones, Sequim.
* Bill and Nada Johnson, Port Angeles.
* David Storm, Seattle.
* Lorna and Bob Wells, Port Angeles.
* Ella Sandvig, Port Townsend.
* Roland C. and Vivian Raymond, Port Townsend.
* Mary Ann McClaire, Beaver.
* Susan Feiro, Port Angeles.
Many thanks also to these donors who requested anonymity:
* Port Townsend — A Christmas gift in honor of Rob Wright.
* Port Angeles — In honor of daughter Chris.
* Port Angeles — In honor of Genivieve and Ellsworth Swett.
* Port Angeles — In honor of Valerie.
* Port Angeles — In memory of Evelyn E. Patterson.
* Port Angeles — In honor of Sarah Marie.
* Sequim — In memory of Craig Baughman.
* Port Townsend — “In honor of my family.”
* Sequim — Thanks for all the people to make the Home Fund work.
* Port Angeles — In memory of our son, David R. Young.
* Port Angeles — In memory of Dean Palmer.
* Port Angeles — In memory of Cliff Miller.
* Port Angeles — In memory of Beverly Rice and Paul J. Raber. Gone, but not forgotten.
* Port Angeles — In honor of Olympic Peninsula Dental Society.
* Sequim — In honor of my grandchildren.
* Port Angeles — In memory of my husband Ralph.
* Sequim, $100.
* Port Angeles, $10.
* Sequim, $100.
* Sequim, $30.
* Port Angeles, $200.
* Port Ludlow, $25.
* Sequim, $50.
* Port Angeles, $100.
* Sequim, $25
* Port Townsend, $5.
* Port Angeles, $100.
* Sequim, $100.
* Sequim, $75.
* Sequim, $200.
* Sequim, $20.
* Sequim, $100.
* Port Angeles, $100.
* Sequim, $100.
* Sequim, $20.
* Port Angeles, $200.
* Port Angeles, $25.
* Sequim, $25.
* Sequim, $50.
* Port Angeles, $20.
* Port Angeles, $100.
* Sequim, $10.
* Sequim, $150.
* Port Angeles, $25.
* Port Angeles, $100.
* Sequim, $50.
* Sequim, $100.
* Port Hadlock, $500.
* Port Angeles, $50.
* Sequim, $25.
* Port Angeles, $100.
* Sequim, $20.
* Location unknown, $10.
* Sequim, $50.
* Port Angeles, $50.
* Sequim, $200.
* Sequim, $50.
* Port Angeles, $10.
* Sequim, $35.
* Port Angeles, $50.
* Sequim, $50.
* Nordland, $50.
* Sekiu, $20.
* Sequim, $40.
* Port Angeles, $30.
* Port Angeles, $20.
* Sequim, $25.
* Port Angeles, $10.
* Sequim, $100.
* Port Angeles, $100.
* Sequim, $50.
* Port Angeles, $110.
* Port Angeles, $100
* Sequim;, $50.
* Port Angeles, $25.
* Port Angeles, $30.
* Sequim, $200.
* Sequim, $50.
* Sequim, $100.
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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, john.brewer@peninsuladailynews.com. Our sincerest appreciation again to our donors.
