United Way of Clallam County donations at 38 percent of $1 million goal

Published 12:01 am Friday, December 19, 2014

PORT ANGELES — The United Way of Clallam County has reached $386,000, or 38.6 percent, of its $1 million goal for its 2014 fundraising campaign.

Jody Moss, executive director, is asking for more donations for the campaign, which will end March 31.

“This year, United Way is reaching out, asking community members to give a small amount to strengthen our community,” Moss said.

“If everyone gave just $10, we would exceed our goal,” she added.

Moss said that “businesses and community members continue to turn in their campaign results daily, and we expect this amount to increase significantly.

“The campaign is tracking to match last year’s total donations, which fell about 10 percent short of the goal.”

In 2013, United Way raised $881,418 for 23 partner agencies and four Community Solutions Initiatives — the 211 Help Line, Access to Health Care Coalition, Clallam County Literacy Council and Great Beginnings, United Way’s newest featured work focused on early learning.

“United Way year-end giving helps families know that they have made a difference here at home,” Moss said.

The United Way office at 102½ E. First St., Port Angeles, will be open Dec. 29-31 for year-end donations.

Contributions also can be mailed to P.O. Box 937, Port Angeles WA 98362.

To give by credit card, visit www.unitedwayclallam.org/give or call 360-457-3011.

IRA distributions

Moss also suggested that IRA owners who are 70½ years old and are required to take an IRA distribution consider giving to the United Way’s permanent endowment fund through the Clallam Community Foundation.

Since 2006, the federal government had permitted IRA owners to roll over required distributions up to $100,000 from their IRA to a charity without paying any federal taxes, Moss said.

This option had been temporarily unavailable but was renewed Dec. 16 for 2014.

“This means that if you already made a transfer from your IRA to a charity or do so prior to the end of December, you can avoid the additional tax burden of the distribution,” Moss said.

For more information on making a lifetime or legacy gift, or for other local giving options, contact United Way of Clallam County at 360-457-3011 or your financial adviser.