PORT TOWNSEND–After falling short of last year’s fundraising goal by more than $40,000, United Good Neighbors adjusted its sights to a more realistic level — and met its target.
This week, the local charitable organization announced that it had reached its scaled-down goal of $250,000, which is to be distributed to more than 30 different nonprofit agencies.
“We are thrilled that we were able to do this,” said campaign manager Bonnie Riudl.
“As the economy has gone downhill, the need for the services that we support has increased.”
UGN Executive Director Carla Caldwell said the agency has actually benefited from the economy.
“As the economy becomes more difficult, I think that people become more sensitive to the need for services,” she said. “People are more prone to give at those times.
“Port Townsend is a very generous community,” she said.
The mission of the organization, which was founded in 1957, is to identify the areas of greatest need and allocate funds to support agencies serving those needs.
Recipients range from local chapters of such high-visibility national organizations as the American Red Cross to the South Jefferson Little League.
All of the money raised stays in the area, Riudl said.
“The great thing is how everything we raise benefits our neighbors,” she said. “Every penny we raise stays in Jefferson County.”
UGN was once part of the United Way but formally dissolved that affiliation. It provides the same function as United Way does for other communities.
UGN has named Mark and Carter Houth the honorary chairs for the 2010-2011 campaign.
Former Port Townsend Mayor John Clise served in that post for the previous campaign.
Caldwell said the fundraising goal for the next campaign will be announced in July, and will probably exceed this year’s number.
For more information, phone UGN at 360-385-3797 or go to www.united way-wa.org/jefferson/index.whtml.
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Jefferson County reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
