EDITOR’S NOTE: For 22 years, Peninsula Daily News readers in Jefferson and Clallam counties have supported the “hand up, not a handout” Peninsula Home Fund.
Today, we feature another in a series of articles on how the fund operates and who benefits from our readers’ generosity.
More information about the Home Fund will appear Wednesday.
By Tim Hockett
For Peninsula Daily News
PORT TOWNSEND — Johnny Bryant is optimistic and positive as he tells his story.
He has a minimalist philosophy of living on only what is necessary.
He keeps his life simple and his footprint small.
And wherever he goes, he is accompanied by his faithful Australian shepherd, Julie.
Because of his own journey of learning how to accept help, he happily extends a helping hand to others — and finds it easy to share what he has.
Bryant was working in construction when tragedy struck.
He fell off a barn, shattering his right leg and crushing his elbow.
“I just lay there” he recalled.
“But I didn’t worry about dying . . . kind of peace came over me.
“Somehow, I knew everything was going to be all right, but I also knew that my life would change.”
He underwent several surgeries.
During his slow recovery in a nursing home in Marysville, he played music for the elderly residents and took time to encourage other patients.
When he was finally able to move on his own, he stayed with this elderly mother.
“She had hip replacement surgery, so I was able to help her while I also recovered,” he said.
“It was all through my recovery and assisting my mother that I became aware of a new level of compassion.”
During his healing, Bryant took advantage of his quiet time to think through what he wanted to accomplish with his life.
He had always been interested in wooden boats and thought that perhaps his carpentry background might suit him to a future in marine construction and repair.
He visited Port Townsend and immediately was taken with the town.
But his physical limitations — and the economy — kept him from finding work.
He lived in his van and often visited downtown Port Townsend’s Haller Fountain, playing his guitar there.
One day at the fountain, a woman confided that her partner was battling cancer.
The couple were living in a tent.
Bryant offered to help.
He drove the woman to her canvas abode and met her partner.
Bryant offered to clean out his service trailer for them so that they’d have at least a firm roof over them as the stricken man underwent cancer treatment.
Screens applicants
One day, the couple needed a ride to an appointment at OlyCAP, where they heard they might be able to receive assistance with proper shelter.
OlyCAP is nonprofit Olympic Community Action Programs, the No. 1 emergency-care agency in Jefferson and Clallam counties.
It also screens the applicants for the Peninsula Daily News’ “hand up, not a handout” Peninsula Home Fund and distributes the funds.
Bryant took them to OlyCAP’s office in Port Townsend, where he met Kathy Morgan, a housing specialist.
Morgan arranged for the couple to be housed in the Haines Street Cottages, which OlyCAP operates for emergency shelter.
She also coordinated help from other resources to help the couple.
“I can help you, too, Johnny,” she said.
Through Morgan, Bryant was able to find a small trailer to live in.
It perfectly met his needs.
Morgan drew upon the Peninsula Home Fund to also assist Bryant with the transition.
Just as importantly, she urged him to call the Social Security Administration. It appeared that he qualified for support because of his disability.
Bryant followed Morgan’s advice and heard in October that he would receive monthly SSI support.
He is now stable, housed — and has enough income to live within his simple lifestyle.
Bryant is still amazed at the help he received.
He said it affirmed his confidence in fundamental human kindness.
He is happy — and is determined to “pass it on.”
Each person you help through the Peninsula Home Fund has a story.
Some stories are simple; some are complex. All represent people in need and the community’s caring response.
Fundraising campaign
The PDN’s Peninsula Home Fund — a safety net for local residents when there is nowhere else to turn — is seeking contributions for its annual holiday season fundraising campaign that runs from Thanksgiving through Dec. 31.
From Port Townsend to Forks, from Quilcene and Brinnon to Sequim and LaPush, the Home Fund is a “hand up, not a handout” for children, teens, families and the elderly to get through an emergency situation.
Money from the Home Fund goes for hot meals for seniors, meeting rent, energy and transportation needs, warm winter coats for kids, home repairs for the low-income, needed eyeglasses and prescription drugs, dental work, safe and drug-free temporary housing . . .
The list goes on and on.
Begun in 1989, the Home Fund is supported by Jefferson and Clallam residents.
Individuals, couples, families, businesses, churches, service organizations and school groups set a record for contributions in 2010: $248,367.35.
With heavy demand this year, the carefully rationed fund is being rapidly depleted.
Since Jan. 1, the Home Fund has helped more than 2,160 households — almost 4,750 individuals like Johnny Bryant on the North Olympic Peninsula.
As we move into winter, the toughest period of the year, all of the money collected in 2010 is expected to be exhausted by Dec. 31.
■ The Peninsula Home Fund is a unique nonprofit program.
No money is deducted by the Peninsula Daily News.
Every penny goes to OlyCAP to help the most vulnerable members of our community, from infants to families to seniors.
Because of the extraordinary demand experienced by OlyCAP in 2011 — and plummeting cutbacks in grants and government support — for the first time in the 22-year history of the Home Fund, OlyCAP will use a portion of the fund in 2012 to pay for the helping hands who see clients.
The amount will be limited to 10 cents of every dollar donated.
The fund is not set up to hand out money passively.
OlyCAP can no longer absorb the costs of managing all the facets of the Home Fund — screening applicants, providing counseling and carefully disbursing the funds — without financial assistance.
It must tap a small portion of the fund this year as tough times compound the challenges it faces to help those in need.
■ The Home Fund is not a welfare program.
Assistance, which usually averages less than $100, is also limited to one time in a 12-month period.
The average amount of help this year was about $95 per family.
As needed, Peninsula Home Fund donations are also used in conjunction with money from churches, service clubs and other donors, enabling OlyCAP to stretch the value of the contribution.
The Home Fund staff’s most important goal is to get the individual or family through a crisis and back on the path of self-sufficiency.
Whenever possible, 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.
The goal again: “a hand up, not a handout.”
■ All contributions are fully IRS tax-deductible for the year in which a check is written. (See accompanying story.)
■ Your personal information is kept confidential. The PDN does not rent, sell, give or otherwise share your address or other information with anyone or make any other use of it.
Applying for a grant
To apply for a Peninsula Home Fund grant, phone OlyCAP at 360-452-4726 (Clallam County) or 360-385-2571 (Jefferson County).
■ OlyCAP’s Port Angeles office is at 228 W. First St., Suite J (Armory Square Mall); 360-452-4726.
■ Its Port Townsend office is at 803 W. Park Ave.; 360-385-2571.
■ The Forks/West End office is at 421 Fifth Ave.; 360-374-6193.
OlyCAP’s website: www.olycap.org; email: action@olycap.org.
If you have any questions about the fund, phone John Brewer, Peninsula Daily News editor and publisher, at 360-417-3500.
Or email him at john.brewer@peninsuladailynews.com.
Peninsula Daily News publishes the donation coupon and information about the fund every Sunday and Wednesday during the fundraising campaign.
Contributions so far
While most of the money is raised between Thanksgiving and Dec. 31, the fund itself never closes.
Donations of any amount are always welcome.
Here is a list of donors whose contributions were processed between Nov. 24 and Dec. 1 (credit card donors during that period will be processed this week). Thank you very much for making a difference in the lives — and futures — of your neighbors like Johnny Bryant:
■ Joe and Dee Blanchard, Sequim — $100.
■ Robin and Carol Lee Moses, Carlsborg — $300.
■ Dennis and Mary Hood, Sequim — $100.
■ Ray and DeAnna Stossel, Port Angeles — $100. In honor of Orman “O.W.” Bieber and Olive.
■ Dave Dau, Port Angeles — $250. In honor of our working poor.
■ Gene and Jean Spargo, Sequim — $150.
■ Roberta Galvan, Sequim — $100. In memory of my husband, Eduardo.
■ Marge Hansen, Port Angeles — $500. In memory of Ken Hansen.
■ Renate B. Melvey, Sequim — $100. In memory of Gordy Melvey.
■ Gaskill family, Port Angeles — $50.
■ Janine Moore, Forks — $30.
■ The Skotheims, Port Angeles — $250.
■ League of British Women, Carlsborg — $250.
■ James and Katherine Loveland, Port Angeles — $250. In memory of Grace Loveland.
■ Mike and Freda Tallmadge, Port Angeles — $100. In honor of the teachers and support staff who educate our children.
■ Ray and Jan Morgan, Port Angeles — $100.
■ Beverly Croxford, Port Angeles — $50.
■ Earl and Becky Archer, Sequim — $100.
■ Dick and Gayle Larson, Sequim — $50.
■ Robert C. Zech, Port Angeles — $100.
■ Inge Magrs, Sequim — $100. In memory of Bill Magrs.
■ Gary and Elaine Nelson, Port Townsend — $50.
■ Dave and Linda Johnson, Sequim — $100. In memory of our beloved parents.
■ Samuel Shusterman, Port Townsend — $200. In memory of Frances P. Shusterman.
■ Tom Colville, Port Angeles — $30.
■ Kathy Cooper, Sequim — $99. In honor of the 99 percent. We 99 percent need to look out for each other.
■ Sea Cliff Gardens Bed and Breakfast, Port Angeles — $100.
■ Suzie Stewart Nunley, Port Angeles — $100. In memory of Cathy Raycraft.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested that the amount of their donation be kept private):
■ John Price and Patty Brady, Port Angeles
■ William and Carol Peet, Port Angeles.
■ Frank and Paula Schrader, Sequim. In honor of our servicemen and -women who sacrifice so much.
■ Pat Bartlett and Margaret Lawrence, Sequim.
■ Hazel Gershowitz, Port Angeles.
■ Fred and Ann Weinmann, Port Townsend.
■ Richard and Etta MacDonald, Port Ludlow.
■ Sandra Larson, Port Townsend.
■ Ruth Lund, Port Angeles.
■ Doug and Trudy Rittenhouse, Port Angeles.
■ Curt and Lesa Oppelt, Port Angeles. In memory of Laurel N. Oppelt.
■ Janis Burger, Port Angeles.
■ Elizabeth Kelly, Port Angeles. In memory of Chris and Clair DeLapp.
■ Franny Koski, Port Angeles. Honoring Tracy McCallum, Rod and Helen Mackenzie, John Braasch, Voices for Veterans and all those who help relieve the suffering of people and animals.
■ John and Renee Jones, Sequim.
■ Ted Benlan, Sequim. In loving memory of Nina.
■ Jean Coplin, Port Angeles. In honor of William. Special thanks to my daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Allen Brannin, for their help.
■ Eleanor A. Thorton, Forks.
■ Rick and Mary Ellen Standly, Sequim.
■ Maria E. Mendes, Port Townsend.
■ Monica Mansfield, Sequim.
■ Frank and Rhoda Brooks, Sequim.
■ Jim and Beth Garifalos, Sequim.
■ Neil and Jaqueline Eklund, Sequim.
■ Gwen Lovett, Port Townsend.
■ Marc and Pat Thomsen, Port Angeles.
■ Kathleen Devanney, Port Townsend.
■ Rosemary and Hungar Bernstein, Beaver. Be kind — remember our wildlife struggling to survive every day.
■ Carmela E. Richardson, Port Angeles. In memory of Elwood and Ken Richardson.
■ Leila Roberts, Port Angeles. In honor of Dan Roberts Sr.
■ Ken and Charlotte Patterson, Port Angeles. “Never look down on anyone, unless you’re helping them up.” — Jesse Jackson
■ Naomi Marcus, Port Townsend. In memory of Carol Landa.
■ Carol Clark, Port Angeles. In memory of Jeanette Turman — Jeanette was one of the most loving and giving persons you’d ever want to meet.
■ Joe and Naomi Denhart, Port Angeles. In loving memory of our parents.
■ Judy Munro, Port Angeles. In loving memory of my parents, Tom and Sally Munro.
■ Betty J. Abbott and Lori Christianson, Port Angeles. In memory of all of our family members.
■ Roger and Shirley Huntley, Sequim. In memory of our loving parents.
■ Penny Burdick, Sequim. In memory of Gordon and Aural Burdick.
■ Kathleen Balducci and family, Port Angeles. In memory of Bal, our parents and loved ones.
■ Jim and Marci Thomsen, Port Angeles. In honor of Father Mark Stehly and his continued ministry to those in need.
■ Tee Hansen, Port Townsend. In honor of Jennifer Cronin for her countless kindness to so many. Merry Christmas with love to the Cronin family.
■ John and Adrienne Heinz, Port Angeles. In memory of Tony Fernandez, age 11.
■ Beverly R. Smola, Sequim. In memory of Tom Carlin — miss you.
■ Ann Shortess, Port Angeles. In memory of Doris Alton.
■ Faith Haynes, Sequim. In memory of Jim Haynes.
■ Jim and Sandy Reed, Sequim. In memory of Warren Tansey and Elaine Carls.
■ Lisa Painter, Nordland. In honor of Jeanne Liendenom.
■ Colleen Ostrye, Port Angeles. In honor of Dale L. Hickson.
■ Bob A. Massey, Sequim. In memory of my wife, Margaret Massey.
■ Pat Beltz and Don Claussen, Sequim.
■ Floyd A Thompson, Port Townsend.
■ Voneda Stiewe, Chimacum.
■ William and Katherine Hennessey, Port Angeles.
■ Ada and Ron Garnero, Port Angeles.
■ John and Nancy Jost, Sequim.
■ Bob and Berit Cole, Sequim.
■ Donald and Edna Chicarell, Sequim.
■ Del and Kris Cadwallader, Port Angeles. In honor of our son, Sgt Erik Slater and all military. God Bless. In memory of Bruce Kirk, a great guy.
■ AMS Audio Enterprises, Sequim and Ojai, Calif.
■ Bonnie and Bill Dyrness, Sequim.
■ Maura and Roger Oakes, Port Angeles.
■ Mr. and Mrs. Ray Erickson, Port Townsend.
■ Jim and Jette Monahan, Carlsborg.
■ David Martin, Sequim.
■ Bernice Swanson, Sequim.
■ Larry and Lynn Gosser, Port Angeles.
■ Sarah Hile, Sequim.
■ William and Dorothy Caldwell, Sequim.
■ Gene and Ann Trelstad, Port Angeles.
■ Howard Gipson, Port Angeles.
■ Gary and Geri Braun, Port Angeles.
■ Nada Johnson, Port Angeles.
■ Lucy and Jim Kittrick, Port Angeles.
■ Yvonne Dillon and Daniel Zimm, Port Townsend.
■ Catherine Black, Port Townsend.
■ Sara Ellen and Wally Peterson, Sequim.
■ Soeren and Connie Poulsen, Sequim.
■ Nancy and Ed Grier, Port Angeles.
■ Mr. and Mrs. Tom Gagnon, Port Angeles. In memory of our moms.
■ Gary and Jan Holmquist, Port Angeles. In memory of our son, Danny Holmquist.
■ Rose Crumb, Port Angeles. In memory of Red Crumb.
■ Kathlee Chapman, Port Angeles. In memory of Jack B. Chapman.
■ Daphne Raymond, Port Angeles. In memory of Leo and Brian Raymond and Neil Jervis — gone but not forgotten.
■ Lucille Caughron, Sequim. In memory of Leonard.
■ Mary Ellen Reed, Sequim. In memory of Vicki Coons.
■ Andrea Alstrup, Sequim. In memory of Ken Alstrup.
■ Homer and Karla Muto, Port Angeles. In memory of Circe and Soda.
■ Hazel Vail, Port Angeles. In honor of Ken Vail and Carol Chapman.
■ Anne Grandy and Michael DelGreco, Sequim. In honor of all veterans.
■ Russell and Sandra Hesselman, Port Angeles. In memory of Scott Hesselman, beloved son.
■ Richard and Karen Grennan, Sequim. In loving memory of Gail Yvonne Finken.
■ Margaret Edris, Port Angeles. In memory of Monica.
■ Barbara Baker, Sequim. In memory of Cy Oden Severson.
■ James Q. and Rachael Graham, Port Angeles. In memory of Marian Byse.
■ Dianne and Sylvia Durrwachter, Port Angeles. In honor of Ruth “Nature Girl” Durrwachter and Gladys Johnson.
■ Susan Rose and Maxine Clark, Port Angeles. In memory of Earl Clark.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested anonymity):
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Sequim — $50.
■ Port Angeles — $25.
■ Port Townsend — $30.
■ Sequim — $50.
■ Sequim — $25.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Port Townsend — $50.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Port Townsend — $50.
■ Port Angeles — $100. In memory of Evelyn and Thomas.
■ Port Townsend — $100. In memory of my husband.
■ Port Angeles — $100. In memory of our family and friends.
■ Port Angeles — $25.
■ Nordland — $25.
■ Port Angeles — $25.
■ Port Angeles — $25.
■ Sequim — $50.
■ Port Angeles — $25.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Sequim — $750.
■ Port Angeles — $250.
■ Sequim — $25.
■ Port Angeles — $50.
■ Sequim — $25.
■ Sequim — $20.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Sequim — $50.
■ Port Angeles — $100. In memory of Evelyn Chadd.
■ Quilcene — $15.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $200.
■ Sequim — $200.
■ Port Angeles — $50.
■ Port Ludlow — $200. Thank you for providing this great help up to the community.
■ Woodinville — $30.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Sequim — $50.
■ Sequim — $250.
■ Sequim — $200.
■ Sequim — $50. In memory of Doug and Lillian Babcock.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $300. In honor of Timothy R., Dorothy R. and Lillian K.
■ Port Townsend — $100. In memory of Dr. Nancy Baden and colleagues.
■ Port Angeles — $50.
■ Sequim — $1,200.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Cedar Falls, Idaho — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Carlsborg — $50.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Sequim — $50.
■ Port Townsend — $100.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Sequim — $50.
■ Port Townsend — $100.
■ Port Townsend — $30. In memory of Lois Benson.
■ Sequim — $100.
_________
HANDWRITING CAN BE hard to decipher at times.
Please report any errors in this list to John Brewer, 360-417-3500 (there’s voice mail if he’s away), or email him at john.brewer@peninsuladailynews.com.
We’ll rerun the listing correctly.
Our sincerest appreciation again to our donors.
