Jim “Kiwi” Ferris, owner of Edensaw Woods in Port Townsend and founder of the Edensaw Community Cancer Foundation, displays some of the items that will be available in live and silent auctions Saturday during the 11th annual Brewfest at Port Townsend Brewing Co. (Brian McLean/Peninsula Daily News)

Jim “Kiwi” Ferris, owner of Edensaw Woods in Port Townsend and founder of the Edensaw Community Cancer Foundation, displays some of the items that will be available in live and silent auctions Saturday during the 11th annual Brewfest at Port Townsend Brewing Co. (Brian McLean/Peninsula Daily News)

Brewfest to raise funds for cancer patients

Community foundation focuses on East Jefferson County

PORT TOWNSEND — The 11th annual Edensaw Community Cancer Foundation Brewfest is on tap for Saturday.

Event organizers hope to raise upward of $50,000 for East Jefferson County patients.

The foundation, which exclusively serves county residents who are undergoing cancer treatments, will host the event from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Port Townsend Brewing Co., 330 10th St., in Port Townsend.

Admission is free. Live music will be provided by the band Soul Siren. Food will be available through Mo Chili BBQ. The beer garden is for those 21 and older, and a portion of the sales will be donated to the nonprofit organization.

Jim “Kiwi” Ferris, the owner of Edensaw Woods and founder of the Edensaw Community Cancer Foundation, said the goal is to help people in the community.

“Any age, any race, any gender,” he said. “We don’t care.”

The primary fundraisers are the auctions. A live auction will begin at 4 p.m., while silent auction items will be open throughout the day and wrap up at 6 p.m.

There will also be a Raise the Paddle event with cash donations, Ferris said.

The foundation has raised between $35,000 and $45,000 annually for the past five years and has dispersed more than $300,000 in support since its inception in 2007, Ferris said.

Cancer patients can apply to receive up to $1,000 with a form on Edensaw’s website under ECCF. Applicants must qualify financially at 250 percent of the federal poverty level, according to the application form.

Ferris said he’s been involved in fundraising efforts since he helped bring Relay for Life to Jefferson County in the early 2000s. The Edensaw team raised about $130,000 for cancer in the first four years of the event, and he decided to create the foundation for more direct community impact.

Rebecca Kimball, an advanced registered nurse practitioner in the oncology unit at Jefferson Healthcare, said social workers at the hospital often work with cancer patients to inform them about financial assistance programs.

“We’ve had more and more patients who’ve had the kinds of needs that couldn’t be met in other ways,” Kimball said. “This can go to pay their drug bill, their rent, electricity, or help with transportation and other needs.”

Ferris said there are no stipulations on how the funds can be used.

“Whatever helps them feel better,” he said.

Kimball recalled one patient who used the grant to take his dog to the vet.

“It’s hard to understand the impact that cancer has on our life,” she said. “All of us understand if you say the word ‘cancer,’ we’re worried about our mortality, but we don’t think about whether or not that person is married, has kids, has pets.

“It’s about resources. Maybe they’re the sole support system for their family, and they need chemo once a week and radiation every single day for five weeks.”

Ferris said the foundation receives 35-40 applicants per year, and nearly all receive funding. The application is open on a year-round basis, and funds can be dispersed within about a week, he said.

“If they’re applying, they need it now,” Ferris said. “They don’t need it six months from now.”

Kimball said the hospital oncology unit has been involved with the foundation for at least the past five years. Many of the staff members attend brewfest, too.

“There’s been some great stuff that I’ve bought there,” she said. “I bought the most beautiful brass doorknocker that you’ve ever seen, and it was tooled right there in the boatyard.

“I also bought a wooden table, and the top is a compass. It’s all handmade with exotic woods.”

Some of this year’s auction items include tables, chairs and other handcrafted wood pieces, original paintings and other artwork, food, drinks and entertainment options at several establishments, and baskets of assorted goods donated by local businesses.

“Quite a number of our customers [at Edensaw Woods] donate items for the auction,” said Ferris, who also will be the auctioneer. “Edensaw pays for the band. The rest goes to the foundation. Every single bit.”

________

Jefferson County Managing Editor Brian McLean can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 6, or at bmclean@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

World War II veteran Arthur Bradow, right, and his daughter Barbara Cason admire a quilt sewn by his niece for his 100th birthday on Dec. 13. Bradow served in the Merchant Marine in the Pacific Theater of Operations and stateside in the U.S. Army Air Forces. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Veteran has 100 years’ worth of experience

Looks back at long life and wealth of knowledge

Veterans Day ceremonies set

Organizations across the Peninsula will conduct a variety of services in observance… Continue reading

Changes to code for floodplain delayed

Effects on Brinnon and farmland considered

EYE ON THE PENINSULA: Proposed budgets top Peninsula agency agendas

Meetings across the North Olympic Peninsula.

Lisa Bridge of Sequim is given a tour by Cithlali Chavez of Fred Hutch Cancer Center inside the giant inflatable colon discussing colon health on Wednesday at the Port Angeles Senior Center’s health and wellness fair. Representatives from Olympic Medical Center, Jamestown Family Health Clinic, North Olympic Healthcare, Clallam County Health and Human Services, Elwha Klallam Tribe and Peninsula Behavior Health were present to answer questions. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Health and wellness fair

Lisa Bridge of Sequim is given a tour by Cithlali Chavez of… Continue reading

Budget projects $6M loss for OMC

Expenses continue to outpace revenues

Port Angeles implements annual business license fee

Those with gross revenue over $25,000 to pay $190

Commissioners discuss addition of south county deputy

Budget modifications may support position

Forks to conduct city budget hearings

The Forks City Council will conduct budget workshops during special… Continue reading

Restrictions lifted on Fairview water system

Clallam County Public Utility District #1 has lifted water restrictions… Continue reading

Election results remain unchanged

Election results continued to hold from initial returns following additional ballot counts… Continue reading

Mike Chapman.
Chapman leads Kelbon for district Senate seat

Mike Chapman was leading the 24th Legislative District state Senate… Continue reading