EDITOR’S NOTE — This story, on how the Peninsula Daily News’ Peninsula Home Fund helped Maggie Maskell, was written earlier this year, before cancer took Maggie’s life.
The generosity of her neighbors in Clallam and Jefferson counties who contributed in 2006 to the Peninsula Home Fund helped ease her last months of life.
This is the first in a series of articles on the Home Fund, the online coupon for which can be accessed via the Home Fund button at the right of the home page.
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BY TIMOTHY L. HOCKETT, FOR PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
SEQUIM — Maggie Maskell is glad to be 60.
For the past four years this Sequim resident has battled a very aggressive form of inflammatory cancer.
“It started as breast cancer, then spread to my liver, then to my lymph system; it just keeps coming back,” she explained.
Maggie, who prides herself on being a hard-working woman who never turned to others for help, has now undergone eight distinct series of chemotherapy in her fight against the dreaded illness.
In 2006, she had to submit to a mastectomy.
“I have worked very hard since I was a teen,” she said.
“I hated asking for help, but when you are fighting for your life, you eventually have to seek help.
“I was always the one who gave; it wasn’t easy turning to others for assistance.
“Now I know how it feels to receive.”
Maggie worked for years doing housekeeping at resorts from Death Valley to the North Olympic Peninsula.
Her determination was never more evident than when she took classes at the same time she was undergoing cancer treatment — just so that she could try to change her career and keep working.
“I couldn’t carry heavy trays anymore,” she explained.
When she finally had to seek public assistance and disability payments from the government, she was told it would take months for those resources to come through.
She was referred to OlyCAP — nonprofit Olympic Community Action Programs, the No. 1 emergency care agency in Jefferson and Clallam counties — and other local agencies for immediate help.
OlyCAP also screens the applicants for the Peninsula Home Fund and distributes the funds.
One thing Maggie needed was an apartment in an area of Sequim from which she could take the bus to reach her cancer treatments.
Victoria Jazwic, a client service specialist at OlyCAP, helped Maggie navigate a number of barriers and contacted other community partners who would help.
Jazwic also tapped the Peninsula Daily News’ “hand up, not a handout” Peninsula Home Fund to help provide money for a deposit on an apartment for Maggie and get move-in costs down to a manageable level.
The Peninsula Home Fund provides a unique lifeline on the North Olympic Peninsula.
All the money collected for the Home Fund goes — without any deductions — for hot meals for seniors, warm winter coats for kids, home repairs for the low income, needed eyeglasses and prescription drugs, dental work, safe, drug-free temporary housing . . .
The list goes on and on — from Jan. 1 through Nov. 1 of this year, the Home Fund has helped 1,745 individuals and families in Jefferson and Clallam counties.
And on that list is Maggie Maskell.
Because of the Home Fund, Maggie is able to face her illness without having to worry whether she will have a roof over her head.
“I think the Peninsula Home Fund is wonderful,” said Maggie.
“People are fortunate in this area because their neighbors are generous — they help people and allow them to keep their dignity.
“Trying to fight a disease and keep your life together is a huge job.”
“They never made me feel bad.”
No deductions — a ‘hand-up’
From Thanksgiving through Dec. 31, the PDN’s Peninsula Home Fund — a safety net for residents in Jefferson and Clallam counties when there is nowhere else to turn — is seeking contributions for its annual holiday season fund-raising campaign.
From Port Townsend to Forks, from Quilcene and Brinnon to LaPush, it’s a “hand up, not a handout” for children, teens, families and the elderly.
ä No money is deducted for administration or other overhead. Your entire donation — 100 percent — to help those who are facing times of crisis.
ä All contributions are fully IRS tax-deductible.
ä Your personal information is kept confidential. Peninsula Daily News does not rent, sell, give or otherwise share your address or other information with anyone, or make any other use of it.
ä Instances of help are designed to get an individual or family through the crisis — and every effort is made to put them back on the path to self-sufficiency.
That’s the “hand up, not a handout” focus of the fund.
ä Peninsula Home Fund case managers at OlyCAP 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.
Spent by Dec. 31
ä Begun in 1989, the fund is supported entirely by Jefferson and Clallam residents.
Individuals, couples, businesses, churches, service organizations and school groups set a new record for contributions in 2006 — $191,349.85.
All of that money is expected to be spent by Dec. 31.
ä Peninsula Home Fund contributions are often used in conjunction with money from other agencies, enabling OlyCAP to stretch the value of the contribution, as it did for Maggie Maskell.
ä Money is usually distributed in small amounts, usually up to $150.
ä Assistance is limited to one time in a 12-month period.
To apply for a grant from the fund, phone OlyCAP at 360-452-4726 (Clallam County) or 360-385-2571 (Jefferson County).
If you have any questions about the fund, contact John Brewer, Peninsula Daily News editor and publisher, at 360-417-3500. Or e-mail him at john.brewer@peninsuladailynews.com.
How to donate
A gift of any size is welcome.
The Peninsula Home Fund has never been a campaign of heavy hitters.
If you can contribute only a few dollars, please don’t hesitate because you think it won’t make a difference.
Every gift makes a difference, regardless of its size.
To donate, write a check to “Peninsula Home Fund” and attach it to the coupon that can be printed out by clicking on the Home Fund button at the right side of the www.peninsuladailynews.com home page.
Mail both items to Peninsula Home Fund, Peninsula Daily News, P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles 98362.
Or drop them at the newspaper’s offices in Port Townsend, Sequim or Port Angeles (click on “Contact Us”).
Again, all contributions are fully IRS tax-deductible.
You will receive a written thank you and acknowledgment of your contribution.
Peninsula Daily News publishes stories every Sunday and Wednesday during the fund-raising campaign listing contributors and reporting on how the fund works.
Contributions so far
We’ve gotten a running start on this year’s campaign.
A number of generous individuals and organizations have been donating money to the Peninsula Home Fund since the first of the year.
Here is a list of donors whose contributions were received between last Jan. 12 and Nov. 20 — thank you very much for making a difference in the lives — and futures — of your neighbors like Maggie Maskell:
ä Cherie Kidd, Port Angeles, $100.
ä Rita Marston, Port Angeles, $25. In memory of Don Marston.
ä Dorothy McMullen, Sequim, $10. In memory of my late husband, Orville R. McMullen.
ä Betty Paulk, Sequim, $100.
ä Peninsula Daily News employees in Port Townsend, Sequim and Port Angeles, additional proceeds from a silent auction in December, $333.
ä J.J. Phelps, Port Townsend, $40. For the needy.
ä Warren and Chris Walvatne, Port Townsend, $50. In memory of our parents, Anna Walvatne and Clarence Brown.
ä Alaska Invitational — an 18-hole, two-person best ball team event organized by Steve Worden with three divisions open to anyone with connections to Alaska — was held May 12 at SunLand Golf and Country Club in Sequim. It raised $3,110. This is the seventh year in a row that the tournament has raised money for the Peninsula Home Fund.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested that the amount of their donation be kept private):
ä Myrtle and Jon Gossett Charitable Foundation, Joyce.
ä Angelo and Brenda Spandrio, Sequim.
ä Jim and Linda Aldrich, Sequim.
ä Dick and Gloria Atkins, Port Townsend.
ä Mike and Patti Brandt, Sequim. In honor of the office of Dr. Scott Braun.
ä Rosemary Cockrill, Port Angeles.
ä Jean Coplin, Port Angeles. In memory of William Coplin.
ä Sally Esson, Port Townsend.
ä Ed and Phyllis Hopfner, Port Angeles. Our joy and duty to share God’s gift.
ä James R. and Elena S. Karr, Sequim.
ä Jane and Charlie Kopriva, Port Townsend .
ä Shirley LeBrun, Port Angeles. In honor of Chester Lee and my buddy Walter.
ä Jim and Dorothy Mowry, Port Angeles. In memory of Paul Mowry.
ä Bonnie Meehan, Port Angeles.
ä Rod and Ginger Melville, Port Angeles. In memory of Paul Snyder.
ä Rich and Suzanne Orr, Port Angeles.
ä Joseph and Judy Price, Sequim.
ä Presbyterian Women of Sequim Community Church, Sequim. For something of a medical concern to address with our check.
ä Jim and Marci Thomsen, Port Angeles.
ä United Methodist Women, Port Angeles.
ä Marilyn Bahwell, LaCrosse, Wis.. In memory of Paul Snyder.
ä Lois Ziemer, Eureka, Calif.. In memory of Paul Snyder.
ä Betty Hill, Elroy, Wis.. In memory of Paul Snyder.
ä Pamela Carraway, Port Angeles. In memory of Buddy Carraway.
ä Lorraine and Mason Davis, Eugene, Ore.
ä Irene Denton, Port Townsend.
ä Thomas and Lorie Etter, Stillwater, Minn.. In memory of Paul Snyder.
ä Olympic Lions Foundation, Port Angeles.
ä Frank and Karen Jahns, Port Angeles.
ä Dianne and Robert Johnston, Sequim.
ä Don Jones, Port Angeles.
ä Kathryn Larson, St. Paul, Minn. To remember the good life of Paul E. Snyder of Port Angeles. He and my cousin, Connie Snyder, knew the value of a loving home and, like me, wish to help others achieve their own dreams.
ä Dolores Mangano, Port Angeles
ä Estate of Wanda Marvelle, Port Angeles.
ä Gary McLaughlin, Port Angeles
ä Karen and Jim Meuir, Port Angeles.
ä Monterra Home Owners Association, Sequim.
ä Marilyn Pedersen, Sequim.
ä Jessica J. Phelps, Port Townsend.
ä Eleanore Phillips, Sequim. In memory of Jim Phillips.
ä Eric and Donna Prust, Sequim.
ä Susan Shotthafer, Port Angeles.
ä Constance Snyder, Port Angeles. In memory of Paul E. Snyder.
ä Olympic Springs, Inc., Carlsborg.
ä Maureen Tiderman, Port Angeles.
ä Peter Uglesich, Port Townsend. Enclosed is a donation for your 2007 Peninsula Home Fund. Thanks for coordinating this fund and also for publishing such an informative and helpful local newspaper.
ä Jessica Wessler, Port Angeles.
ä Leila Roberts, Port Angeles. In memory of Dan Roberts Sr.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested anonymity):
ä Sequim, $1,000. In honor of DAV, Port Angeles. [With more than 1.2 million members, Disabled American Veterans is an organization of disabled veterans who are focused on building better lives for disabled veterans and their families.]
ä Port Angeles, $100.
ä Sequim, $200.
ä Port Townsend, $100. In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Stan Keen.
ä Sequim, $50.
ä Port Townsend, $100.
ä Sequim, $50.
ä Sequim, $50.
ä Sequim, $50.
ä Port Ludlow, $200.
ä Port Angeles, $100. Thank you for doing this again. It is our honor to participate.
ä Sequim, $100.
ä Port Townsend, $250.
ä Port Townsend, $50.
ä Port Angeles, $25. In honor of nurses.
ä Port Angeles, $25, In honor of teachers.
ä Port Townsend, $250.
ä Port Angeles, $25.
ä Sequim, $200.
ä Sequim, $25.
ä Port Ludlow, $200.
ä Port Ludlow, $250.
ä Port Ludlow, $250.
ä Port Ludlow, $250.
ä Port Ludlow, $300.
ä Port Ludlow, $300.
ä Port Ludlow, $300.
ä Poulsbo, $250.
ä Poulsbo, $250.
ä Poulsbo, $250.
ä Port Angeles, $50.
ä Port Angeles, $30.
ä Sequim, $200.
ä Sequim, $100.
ä Port Angeles, $20.
ä Nordland, $200
ä Port Angeles, $20. In memory of Ann Brewer.
ä Nordland, $25.
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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 e-mail him at john.brewer@peninsuladailynews.com.
We’ll rerun the listing correctly.
Our sincerest appreciation again to our donors.
