It’s been one full week since the expiration of the federal $600 benefit for the unemployed and under-employed due to COVID-19.
Most have saved some money since the weekly benefit began at the end of March. But at some point, it could be tight financially for some living in Clallam and Jefferson counties.
That’s where the COVID-19 Relief Fund comes in.
The Peninsula Daily News and Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP) converted the Peninsula Home Fund into the COVID-19 Relief Fund in March to create a way for neighbors to help each other through the economic repercussions of the response to the unique coronavirus pandemic.
Generous gifts from North Olympic Peninsula residents have swelled the fund to $337,051 since it began, providing OlyCAP with a source of grants for people in need.
That allows OlyCAP caseworkers to provide a helping hand over such rough spots as overdue rent or energy bills, to name the tops needs OlyCap has served.
OlyCAP is not limiting clients to one-time-only help, as it has done in the past. And case workers often are able to leverage funds into greater benefits by pairing them with other programs.
All the money in the fund is from you who give out of your pockets to help your neighbors during the coronavirus pandemic.
There is no way to thank you enough. But at least we can let others know what you did.
Here is a list of the donations given to the COVID-19 Relief Fund during the past two weeks.
Name and amount
• Farmers Insurance Shappie Agency, Sequim, $1,000. In honor of our health care workers.
Name only
• Mary and Herb Renner, Port Angeles. In memory of Leya Heart and John Heinz.
• Kathryn Holmstrom, Sequim.
• Nancy Ball, Alpine, Wyoming.
• Mark McCormick and Bob Fletcher, Sequim.
• Peter MacRae, Sequim.
• Jerry and Sue Fowler, Sequim.
• Janet Cattano, Sequim.
• Jim and Judy Johnson, Sequim.
• Dan and Janet Gouin, Port Angeles.
• Eugenie M. Nastri, Port Townsend.
• Brian and Kathleen Pruiett, Carlsborg. In memory of Edith “Cupcake” Walker (RIP). Edith, you were born straight into the Lord’s hands so we won’t see you grow up here. Grandpa and Grandma will always love you.
• Pete Ellis, Carlsborg. In honor of Marcus and Carrie Larsen.
• Steve and Lucy Nordwell, Port Angeles.
• Curtis White, Port Townsend.
• Jennifer Brodie, Sequim.
• Naomi Foley, Sequim.
• Robert Grower, Port Angeles
Anonymous
• Sequim, $100.
• Sequim, $400.
• Sequim, $30.
• Sequim, $100.
• Sequim, $100.
• Sequim, $100.
• Port Townsend, $500. In honor of Dr. Anthony Fauci.
• Port Angeles, $100.
