United Good Neighbors kicks off campaign, recognizes volunteers

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, September 18, 2013

PORT TOWNSEND — United Good Neighbors recognized its 2013 Good Neighbor Volunteers and last year’s campaign chairs as its kicked off the 2013-14 fundraising campaign during the Day of Caring last weekend.

Twelve nonprofit organizations in Jefferson County benefited from the efforts of more than 100 people who gave three hours of their time to paint, clean, landscape and wash windows during Saturday’s Day of Caring.

“We had volunteers from 6 to 76 years old,” said Carla Caldwell, executive director of United Good Neighbors, or UGN.

“It was especially gratifying to see over 60 children from Swan School pulling weeds at Mountain View campus and sorting items at the ReCyclery, and 20 teens from Jefferson Community School deep-cleaning food bank facilities in Port Townsend,” she said.

Caldwell announced that Karen and Rich Ciccarone were selected as the 2013 Good Neighbor Volunteers for outstanding contributions to the community, including Karen’s efforts to create a new mental health clinic for at-risk teens and Rich’s work on Olympic Community Action Programs’ board of directors.

Mike and Judy Blair were on hand to receive a plaque in recognition of their service as 2012-13 UGN campaign chairs.

Volunteers gathered at Mountain View at 8:30 a.m. to get into their groups and grab UGN T-shirts.

Before heading off to their work sites, Mayor David King read a proclamation declaring Sept. 13th United Good Neighbors’ “Day of Caring” Day.

This year’s campaign chairs are Roger and Lynn Hagan. Roger is the recently hired CEO of the Port Townsend Paper Corp. mill.

Other people have been selected to chair major aspects of the campaign.

They are Steve Rafoth, owner of Enclume Design Products, business campaign; Joyce Cardinal and Penny Westerfield, Jefferson Healthcare campaign; Debra Reandeau and Rita Hubbard, Port Townsend Paper mill campaign; and Kim Hammers, Jefferson County Schools campaign.

“Last year, we raised $40,000 more than we did the previous year, thanks to a concentrated focus on these opportunities for payroll deductions,” said Debra Reandeau, UGN board president.

“By expanding last year’s efforts in these areas, we expect to surpass the $280,000 raised last year,” she added.

“The Day of Caring raises awareness of the importance of volunteerism in reducing costs for local nonprofits while serving as a great kickoff to our 2013-14 campaign.”

The Boeing Bluebills built a wheelchair ramp for a woman in a wheelchair and did extensive yardwork at Dove House.

“We had 19 volunteers who put in 76 hours of work,” said Bluebill Myron Vogt.

Other groups who formed work groups included Port Ludlow Associates, the Boiler Room, Port Townsend Rotary Club and UGN board members.

They spread out throughout the county to complete tasks at Jefferson County Parks and Recreation, ECHHO, Jumping Mouse Children’s Center, the Port Townsend Food Bank, Jefferson County YMCA, Working Image and OlyCAP’s Senior Housing in Port Hadlock.

United Good Neighbors is a member of United Ways of Washington and has raised money for health and human services for 57 years.

Each year, an allocation committee of local citizens meets to award grants to nonprofit programs, which provide food, shelter, medical assistance, early childhood and youth support, and senior services.

The 2013-14 campaign brochure will be sent to every household in Jefferson County in October, or people can donate anytime online at www.WeAreUGN.org.

Information about each program currently receiving funding from UGN can also be found on the website.