SEQUIM — It was Christmas-comes-early for Sequim Community Aid with the Sequim Christmas Chorus leading the giving.
Sequim Community Aid, which has helped the needy living within the Sequim School District since 1947, received a $3,000 donation last week.
It came from Sequim Christmas Chorus, First Federal, Sound Community Bank and The Co-op Farm & Garden.
Representatives of the chorus and businesses presented a check to Donna Tidrick, Sequim Community Aid president, who, since 1983, has been with the group that helps needy families and individuals who are behind on their power and water bills or their rent.
Donors’ contributions
“This year, we’re able to give $1,000 more than in the past,” said chorus coordinator Julie Jackson.
The chorus gave $1,600, including $200 that had been given earlier, and First Federal donated $1,000, Sound Community Bank donated $500 and The Co-op contributed $100.
The chorus’ share came through ticket sales from its 2010 concerts and contributions from local organizations and individuals.
Chorus board members and representatives from the businesses as well as the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce gathered at the Friendship Garden in Carrie Blake Park for the presentation to Tidrick, who was all smiles.
It included a ceremonial check from the chamber.
The Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce presents the chorus to the community, and 2010 President Bill Littlejohn was on hand to show the chamber’s support.
First Federal Branch Manager Christy Rookard, chamber current president, also attended.
“We are so grateful to First Federal and Sound Community Bank for their continued support, and to the Co-op for its first-time gift,” Jackson said.
Emergency aid
The nonprofit, all-volunteer Sequim Community Aid has helped hundreds over the years, Tidrick said, and the money will go to provide emergency aid for families and individuals.
“Sequim Community Aid helps people in a crisis survive, and we could not operate without this kind of support,” Tidrick said.
Sequim Community Aid continues to provide one-time annual help with utilities or rent.
Tidrick said the group, which has 18 members, gets a list of names from Clallam County Public Utility District that identifies those who are three months behind on the utility payments and are about to have service disconnected.
“We only deal with cutoffs,” Tidrick said of Sequim Community Aid, which has an current annual budget of about $51,000 and raises between $45,000 and $51,000 a year.
Anyone can help
“It was kind of founded in a Christian way,” Tidrick said of the group. “But you don’t need to go to church to help, and you don’t need to go to church to get help.”
“This keeps me young,” Tidrick added about the group and its giving spirit.
Nine area churches also donate to the cause.
Phone Sequim Community Aid at 360-681-3731.
Jackson said it was the fourth year the 26-year-old chorus of about 70 singers has given to Sequim Community Aid.
Gary McRoberts has directed the Sequim Christmas Chorus since 2006.
The chorus is open to singers of all backgrounds, religions and levels of experience, said Jackson, who can be contacted at juliejackson@wavecable.com or 360-683-1355.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
