It has been an incredible response.
In the second year of a global pandemic, with cases and death rising and households and businesses suffering economically, residents of Clallam and Jefferson counties gave generously to the 2021 Peninsula Home Fund.
The grand total collected for the 33rd Peninsula Daily News campaign is $313,509.65.
Thank you.
The money helps our friends and neighbors in Clallam and Jefferson counties.
Funds are dispersed by Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP) case workers to help North Olympic Peninsula residents in need get over a financial shortfall and go on with being or becoming productive members of society and improving their lives.
No money is deducted by the Peninsula Daily News for administration fees or any other overhead. Every penny goes to OlyCAP, which will use 12.5 percent to assist with administrative costs.
Keep in mind that although the active campaign for 2021 has ended, the Peninsula Home Fund collects donations all year long.
All contributions are federally tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law for the year in which the check is written.
In 2021, the Peninsula Home Fund enabled OlyCAP to provide 1,093 grants to 727 families/individuals, with 389 households in Clallam County and 338 households in Jefferson County, said Audrey Morford, executive coordinator.
From Jan 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2021, OlyCAP spent $357,549.67 in Home Fund direct service dollars, she said.
The average service amount was $327.13.
Rental and mortgage assistance was the largest need, with 220 grants issued. Public transportation was a need filled by 135 grants and 108 went for laundry and hygiene.
Grants also were issued for utilities, telephone and internet: 102; grocery: 102; vehicle fuel: 87; car repair: 83; energy assistance: 63; clothing: 47; dental, medical or vision: 30; household furnishings or supplies: 29; home repair: 27; adult work clothing or tools: 25; emergency housing: 13; licenses fees: 12; and camping equipment: 10.
Since some needs can surpass the $350 cap OlyCAP had in place, the agency has removed the cap for a one-time grant, although amounts of $500 or more will require the director’s approval.
Donations don’t have to be large.
Every gift makes a difference, regardless of its size.
It creates a safety net for Peninsula residents when there is nowhere else to turn.
The Peninsula Home Fund is a unique nonprofit program:
• The Home Fund is not a welfare program.
Money is used to give families and individuals from Port Townsend to Forks, from Quilcene and Brinnon to Sequim, Joyce and La Push “a hand up, not a handout” to get through an emergency situation.
All instances of help are designed to get an individual or family through a crisis — and back on the path to self-sufficiency.
Home Fund case managers often 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.
As needed, 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.
• Your personal information is kept confidential.
PDN does not rent, sell, give or otherwise share your address or other information with anyone or make any other use of it.
Here are donors who have already started off the Peninsula Home Fund for 2022, making donations from Jan. 6 through Jan. 13 that total $ 6,545.
NAME ONLY
• D. Merilee Clunis, Port Townsend.
• Patty and Mark Hannah, Port Angeles.
• Jim and Marci Thomsen, Port Angeles. In memory of Gary Braun.
• Carol Anne Modena, Port Townsend. In memory of Dana Roberts of Port Townsend.
• Paul Howard and Sara Farinelli, Port Angeles.
• Patrick Plaster, Port Townsend. In memory of Della and Duane Plaster.
• Jim and Sally Halvorsen, Port Angeles.
• Mary and Harry Hebert, Port Angeles.
• Chick and Carol Carmichael, Port Angeles.
• Steven Cunningham, Sequim. In memory of Bill and Rita Cunningham.
• Pat Wisen, Sequim.
• Barbara A. Cammack, Port Angeles.
• Richard L. and Judy Richmond, Sequim, $20. In loving memory of my brother Hebron Cook.
• Richard L. and Judy Richmond, Sequim, $20. In loving memory of our son Richard David Richmond.
• Richard L. and Judy Richmond, Sequim, $20. In loving memory of our parents Leo and Helen Richmond.
• Richard L. and Judy Richmond, Sequim, $20. In loving memory of our dear friend Maxine Secor.
• J & L Myers, Port Angeles. In memory of Josephine McNamara.
• Marty Mead, Sequim.
• Carol A. McRae, Sequim.
• Chuck and Kate Sullivan, Sequim. In honor of our health department.
• Phyllis Becker, Port Hadlock.
• Marjorie Faires, Port Angeles.
• Cam and Carla Field, Port Angeles.
• Peter and Laura DeCroupet, Sequim. In memory of Gary Melendy, a devoted and much-loved member of the Baha’i Community of Clallam County.
• Jack and Janet Real, Sequim.
• Deborah Parnell, Sequim.
• William Laidlaw.
• Andrea Lafollette, Sequim.
• Jane Stewart and Neil Burkhardt, Sequim.
• John Dolansky.
• Larry and Pam Laing, Sequim.
• Don and Clare Hatler, Sequim. In memory of Sara and Walt Johnson.
• Olympic Springs, Sequim.
NAME AND AMOUNT
• The Rutkowskii Family, Port Townsend, $100. In honor of our health care workers.
• NO Sangha, a Zen meditation group, Port Angeles, $350.
ANONYMOUS
• Carlsborg, $700.
• Port Angeles, $100.
• Port Angeles, $25.
• Port Angeles, $25.
• Sequim, $50.
