PORT ANGELES — Sara Dutrow and Courtney Buchanan of Olympic Veterinary Clinic are the 2016 campaign co-chairs for the United Way of Clallam County.
The annual campaign kicks off each fall with Day of Caring projects set up all across the county.
The 2015 campaign raised $726,353 from 2,000 donors for its 24 partner organizations and other nonprofits designated by donors. The goal was $950,000.
In 2014, the campaign raised $780,000.
During the campaign, hundreds of volunteers work in businesses and in communities across the county, encouraging people to “give where they live,” according to unitedwayclallam.org.
Dutrow and Buchanan were chosen by the United Way of Clallam County board, said Christy J. Smith, United Way of Clallam County resource development manager.
This year’s Day of Caring will fall on the weekend of Sept. 11, Smith said.
“This year we are hosting eight events across the county,” she said.
“Volunteers from the west end, Port Angeles and Sequim will be cleaning, painting and doing landscaping to show how much we love our community.”
The campaign will end in December, Smith said, with the funds distributed during Super Saturday in February.
“That is when we get the agencies together and share with them what they are getting,” she said.
The exact date of Super Saturday has yet to be scheduled, Smith said.
“What will happen next is we will be meeting to set our [campaign] goal and make a theme,” Smith said.
Both Dutrow and Buchanan are longtime residents of Clallam County.
“The number of nonprofits that the United Way is able to support in their campaign is greater than any other agency in the county,” said Dutrow, who has served as CEO of Olympic Veterinary Clinic since 2012.
“I am privileged to help lead this effort.”
The residents of Clallam County have “helped me in so many ways, and I believe it is important to give back whenever possible,” Buchanan added.
In addition to their roles at Olympic Veterinary Clinic, Dutrow and Buchanan are active volunteers for Revitalize Port Angeles, the Humane Society and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula.
In addition to supporting its partner agencies, United Way of Clallam County also funds other charities as directed by some donors.
“If you decide to donate to one of those agencies,” Smith said, the money is specifically earmarked for them, “and they get it directly.”
United Way of Clallam County also manages the Clallam Community Foundation, which accepts bequests of all kinds, including remainder trusts and donor driven funds.
For more information about Day of Caring events, call 360-457-3011 or visit www.unitedwayclallam.org.
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Reporter Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.
