First Federal awards $300,000 in community grants in Clallam, Jefferson and Kitsap counties

PORT ANGELES — The First Federal Community Foundation has awarded $300,000 in grants to 15 nonprofit organizations in Clallam, Jefferson and Kitsap counties.

Port Angeles-based First Federal annually gives awards to local nonprofits that make a difference in their communities, bank officials said.

“We are pleased to announce these gifts to organizations that are improving the quality of life in our communities,” First Federal Community Foundation board Chairman David Flodstrom said in a news release.

“First Federal is proud of its legacy of giving back to the communities it serves.”

Tying for the largest of the grants was a $70,000 gift to the Olympic Peninsula YMCA for a new Jefferson County YMCA facility capital campaign and $70,000 grant for a program at Harrison Medical Center in Kitsap County.

Other grants

Here is a rundown of the other grant awards from the First Federal Community Foundation:

■   Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County: $50,000 to construct a home in Port Townsend’s Birkenfeld Community.

■   Port Townsend School of Woodworking: $30,000 for capital improvements, new equipment and vocation program development.

■   Fort Worden Public Development Agency: $25,000 grant for renovation to residential buildings at Fort Worden State Park.

■   The Answer For Youth: $10,000 for services to homeless and at-risk youth and young families in Clallam County.

■   Joyce Community Education Foundation: $5,000 for equipment and safety renovations for the Crescent School weight room.

■   Lower Elwha Klallam tribe: $5,000 for the Communities Together Through Art youth program in Port Angeles.

■   Sequim Senior Services-Shipley Center: $5,000 for the Healthy Aging for All program.

■   Feiro Marine Life Center: $5,000 for volunteer training programs in Port Angeles.

■   Olympic View Community Foundation: $5,000 for the Alliance for Leadership program in Clallam County.

■   Ecumenical Christian Helping Hands Organization: $5,000 in matching funds for a state Department of Transportation grant to support ECHHO’s volunteer transportation program in Jefferson County.

■   Sequim Family Advocates: $5,000 for a new public recreational facility at Carrie Blake Park sponsored by the Sequim Picklers.

■   North Olympic Salmon Coalition: $5,000 for the agency’s Real Learning Real Work educational programs in Clallam and Jefferson counties.

■   Seeds of Grace: $5,000 for construction of organic gardens in Kitsap County that provide fresh produce for low-income families through partnerships with other agencies and food banks.

The foundation’s next open application period will begin Jan. 1.

For more information, visit www.firstfedcf.org or contact Karen McCormick at 360-417-3112 karen.mccormick@firstfedcf.org.

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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.

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