PORT ANGELES — The United Way of Clallam County has surpassed its $1 million fundraising goal for 2008, raising $1,145,249 to disburse to 26 nonprofits.
“Isn’t this fantastic,” said Gary Cohn, co-chairman of the United Way fundraising campaign for 2008, on Thursday, before the results were announced to about 175 people at the United Way annual dinner at the Red Lion Hotel in Port Angeles that night.
“Despite these tough economic times, people still stepped up to the plate to provide for those who are in need in Clallam County.
“And still more gifts are coming in.”
Cohn, Port Angeles School District superintendent, and his wife, Susan Cohn, president of the North Olympic Library Board, co-chaired the campaign.
The annual campaign continues through March 31. The money will be distributed to agencies that help people in need of health and social services.
Small donations
Three anonymous donors contributed a total of $175,000.
“We received unusually large donations from three community members who expressed deep concern about hard times this year and really wanted to help out,” Gary Cohn said.
But most of the money was an accumulation of small donations, Executive Director Jody Moss said.
“The majority of our donations is made of thousands of $10 and $25 donations,” Moss said.
“These are people who really care, and do the most that they can to make a difference.”
The accomplishment is especially great given the slow economy, Moss agreed.
“We were anxious for much of the campaign,” she said, “but we have some amazing donors.
“We have people who called us and said, I’m so sorry I can’t give as much as I want to, but I’m giving as much as I can, and others who said, I’m worried about this year, and so I’m giving more, because I can.
“They know this is going to be a tough year for agencies and people in Clallam County who are suffering.”
Said Gary Cohn: “We couldn’t have blasted through this million-dollar goal without the help of every donor in the county. Thank you for your generous support for those in need.”
The annual fund drive is composed of several campaigns, including a mail campaign to residences, and employer campaigns in Sequim, Port Angeles, Forks and Clallam Bay/Sekiu, Moss said.
The campaign also encompasses a Combined Federal Campaign for federal employee groups in Clallam, Jefferson, and Grays Harbor counties, and a Washington state employee Combined Fund Drive for local state employees.
“Sue and I are so honored to have been asked to co-chair this campaign, and so grateful to be a part of this wonderful effort involving so many really great folks,” Gary Cohn said.
“Every single donor is very important to the United Way campaign and the community, from those who give $10 to those who give thousands of dollars,” he added.
The campaign cabinet members and totals raised are:
•âÇPort Angeles — Dan McKeen, $218,496 from 879 donors.
•âÇSequim — Sharon DelaBarre and Bob Schilling, $212,370 from 509 donors.
•âÇForks — Bill Peach and Diana Reaume, $55,483 from 262 donors.
•âÇEmployee campaigns — Karen Meyer, $122,360 from 437 donors.
•âÇCounty campaigns — Judith Scott, $25,175 from 58 donors.
•âÇCombined Federal Campaign — Lt.jg. Christian Polyak and Lt.jg. Heather Sharp of the Coast Guard, $30,751 from 176 donors.
•âÇWashington State Employees Combined Fund Drive — Tom Angier, $19,319.
•âÇCorporate gifts — Brian Kuh, 29 businesses gave $57,040.
•âÇOlympic Medical Center — Eric Lewis and Bobby Beeman, 589 donors gave $131,362 to United Way and OMC Charities.
•âÇClallam Bay/Sekiu — Linda Dillard, $1,505 from 22 donors.
•âÇJoyce — Tom Anderson, $1,165 from 10 donors.
Business awards
Businesses received awards for 75 percent or more employee participation, 50 percent or more increase in giving, giving $100 or more per employee, and for the most money given.
Receiving awards in one or more of those categories were Advantage Escrow, Angeles Composite Technologies Inc., Battelle, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula, Cedar Coast Mortgage, city of Port Angeles, Clallam County, Coldwell Banker Uptown Realty, Crescent School District, Family Planning of Clallam County.
Also, First Federal, First Step Family Support Center, Forks Community Hospital, Forks Forum, Forks Outfitters, Green Crow, Healthy Families of Clallam County, Jim’s Pharmacy, Lakeside Industries, Merrill & Ring, Nippon Paper Industries USA, Northwestern Territories Inc., Olympic Medical Center, Olympic View Publishing, Pacific Office Equipment.
Also, Parent Line, Peninsula Community Mental Health Center, Peninsula Daily News, Platt Irwin Law Firm, Port Angeles Hardwood, Port Angeles Realty, Port Angeles School District, Clallam County Public Utility District, Rayonier Western Forest Resources, Re/Max Fifth Avenue, ReMax Performance Team, Ruddell Auto Mall, St. Andrew’s Place Assisted Living, Serenity House of Clallam County, Sequim School District.
Also, Sterling Bank in Forks, Thomas Building Center, United Parcel Service, United Way of Clallam County, Zenovic & Associates.
To contribute, phone the United Way office at 360-457-3011 or pay through PayPal at www.unitedwayclallam.org.
United Good Neighbors of Jefferson County has collected $100,775, the group says on its Web site, www.unitedway-wa.org/jefferson/. Its goal was $275,000.
