FORKS — A family of four moved from the Tri-Cities to the Forks area in August in hopes of starting a new life.
While looking, Sheree and William “Bill” Wilken and their two children Johnnathan, 4, and 3-year-old Tori, lived with family members and friends for a number of months.
“Bill had lost his job in the Tri-Cities so we moved here, which is where he is from,” said Sheree Wilken, 26.
“He was looking, but no one was hiring — and we could no longer stay with his family.”
The Wiliness went to West End Outreach and stayed in a homeless shelter for three weeks before being referred to OlyCAP — Olympic Community Action Programs.
OlyCAP staff tapped the Peninsula Daily News’ Peninsula Home Fund to help the family pay the rental deposit required for a home in Forks.
The Peninsula Home Fund is a safety net for residents in Clallam and Jefferson counties to get them through emergency situations when there is nowhere else to turn.
The fund was established by North Olympic Peninsula residents digging deep into their hearts and wallets to give their neighbors “a hand up, not a handout” to get through an emergency situation.
“It was a relief to have our own home again,” Mrs. Wilken said.
“For starters, I would like to say thank you to the people who donate to the fund.
“It helped us get out of the shelter and into this home.
“We were getting unemployment and the four of us were trying to live off $288 per week, but we had a van payment and other bills from before — and just could not find a place to rent for what we had.
“We are very grateful for the help we received.”
Wilken added that that her husband now has a job — and that things are definitely looking up.
“Bill has an excellent job, I am staying home caring for our kids — and we have a home,” she said.
“Everything will be fine now that he has a job.”
No deductions
From Thanksgiving through Dec. 31, the Peninsula Home Fund is seeking contributions for its annual holiday season fund-raising campaign.
The Peninsula Home Fund is a unique, nonprofit program.
* No money is deducted for administration or other overhead.
* All contributions are fully IRS tax-deductible.
* Your personal information is kept confidential. The Peninsula Daily News does not rent, sell, give or otherwise share your address or other information with anyone, or make any other use of it.
* All instances of help are designed to get an individual or family through the crisis — and back on the path to self-sufficiency.
* Every penny, every dollar, contributed to the Peninsula Home Fund goes to making life better for children, teens, families and the elderly across the North Olympic Peninsula — from Port Townsend to Sequim to Forks, from Quilcene and Brinnon to Port Angeles to LaPush.
All the money collected goes — without any deductions — to families in Jefferson and Clallam counties for hot meals for seniors, warm winter coats for kids, home repairs for the low income, needed prescription drugs, dental work, safe, drug-free temporary housing, eyeglasses — the list goes on and on.
* Peninsula Home Fund case managers work with each individual or family to develop a plan to become financially stable — and avoid a recurrence of the emergency that prompted aid from the fund.
Supported by local people
OlyCAP has managed the PDN’s Peninsula Home Fund since the fund’s inception in 1989.
The fund is supported entirely by Jefferson and Clallam residents.
Individuals, couples, businesses and school groups set a new record for contributions in 2003 — $77,608.34.
All of that money is expected to be spent by Dec. 31.
* Peninsula Home Fund contributions are often used in conjunction with money from churches, service clubs and other donors, enabling OlyCAP to stretch the value of the contribution.
* Money is usually distributed in small amounts, usually up to $100.
* Assistance is limited to one time in a 12-month period.
To apply for a grant from the fund, phone OlyCAP at 360-452-4726 (Clallam County) or 360-385-2571 (Jefferson County).
OlyCAP’s Port Angeles office is 228 W. First St., Suite J (Armory Square Mall), 360-452-4726.
Its Port Townsend office is at 24 Seton Road (P.O. Box 1540, PT 98368), 360-385-2571.
The Forks office is at the community Recreation Center (across from City Hall), 651 E. Division St., 360-374-6193.
Its Web site is www.olycap.org; e-mail: action@olycap.org. Tim L. Hockett, deputy director, oversees the Peninsula Home Fund.
If you have any questions about the fund, contact John Brewer, Peninsula Daily News editor and publisher, at 360-417-3500. Or e-mail john.brewer@peninsuladailynews.com.
How to donate
A gift of any size is welcome.
From children’s pennies to checks for thousands of dollars, the generosity of Peninsula Daily News readers makes a positive difference.
The Peninsula Home Fund has never been a campaign of heavy hitters.
If you can contribute only a few dollars, please don’t hesitate because you think it won’t make a difference.
Every gift makes a difference, regardless of its size.
To donate, write a check to “Peninsula Home Fund” and attach it to the coupon that accompanies this story.
Mail both items to Peninsula Home Fund, Peninsula Daily News, P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles 98362.
Or drop them at the newspaper’s offices in Port Townsend, Sequim or Port Angeles (addresses on page A2 of the PDN daily).
Again, all contributions are fully IRS tax-deductible.
You will receive a written thank you and acknowledgment of your contribution.
Peninsula Daily News publishes stories every Wednesday and Sunday during the fund-raising campaign listing contributors and reporting on how the fund works.
New contributions
The following are contributions received between Dec. 11 and Dec. 23 — thank you very much for making a difference in the lives — and futures — of your neighbors:
* Kristina Lawrence, Out on a Limb Landscape, Port Angeles; $175. In honor of Out on a Limb clients.
* Jay and Irene Campbell, Port Townsend; $100. In honor of Dorle Campbell.
* Milt and Evelyn Beckwith, Port Angeles; $100. In honor of Pastor Melvin Wilson.
* Joe and Anna Dziah, Port Angeles; $100. In honor of son Matthew Salsman and mother Ann Magart.
* The Hobbs Family, Port Angeles; $100. In memory of Barty.
* Marie Cauvel, Port Angeles; $200. In honor of Lee Ostlund, who taught me that teaching is a special occupation.
* Irvin, David, Bree and John Kalb of Novi, Mich., Sequim, Chapel Hill, N.C., and Salisbury, Md.; $100.
* Robert and Ann Kennedy, Port Angeles; $100.
* John, Ginger and Catherine Schneider, Port Angeles; $100.
* William and Brenda Lee Benbow, Sequim; $100.
* Ron and Luann Kennedy, Port Angeles; $50.
* Jay and Marcia Johnson, Port Townsend; $50.
* Eagles #483, Port Angeles; $400.
* Janice Bartron and Steve Joel, Port Angeles; $50.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested that the amount of their donation be kept private):
* Angelo and Brenda Spandrio, Sequim.
* Port Angeles Senior Center, Port Angeles. In memory of Earl Gilson, Bob Burk and Dick Button.
* Bob’s Electric, Port Angeles.
* Global Transportation, Inc., Port Angeles.
* Sidekicks 4-H Club, Sequim. In memory of Buck Keys.
* Raymond L. and Barbara Milz, Salem, Va.. In memory of the late George Rae Bosckis of Sequim who died Dec. 7, 2004. His wife, Marilyn, said he was impressed with your good works, and she suggested memorial gifts be given to you in his name. As former Sequim residents, we remember hearing of your good work, and we quite agree with her wishes.
* Rudy and April Hiener, Port Angeles. In memory of Ken and Charlotte Bradford.
* Ethel Butler, Port Angeles. In memory of Harold Butler.
* Linda Button, Port Angeles. In memory of Tse-whit-zen and all loved ones.
* Diane, Matt and Alicia Hall, Port Angeles. In honor of our loving mom and grandma, Dorothy Keller.
* Barbara Bridgeford, Port Angeles. In memory of Sam and Marghret Kallas.
* Don and Marilyn Thomas, Sequim. Peninsula Daily News Home Fund Staff — Have an old-fashioned Merry Christmas and peace throughout the New Year. Love what you do!
* Michael and Grace Wanrow, Sequim. In honor of the men and women who gave their lives for our country.
* Joe and Renee Bleile, Sequim. In memory of Opal Tobias.
* Diane Willcox, Port Angeles. In memory of Genevieve Victor.
* Robert E. and Rita M. Hanson, Sequim. In memory of Lela Hamlett.
* Barb Brubaker, Sequim. Hi and Merry Christmas! In honor of our children David and Anita Brubaker and Ray and Catherine Brubaker.
* Bob and Alison Capener, Port Townsend. In memory of Rob Wright.
* Jean Coplin, Port Angeles. In memory of William Coplin.
* Tommy and Cleone White, Port Angeles. In memory of our son and our mothers. Gone but not forgotten.
* Ron and Zoe Bayton, Port Angeles. In memory of Tom and Edith Bayton.
* Freia Palmer, Port Angeles. In honor of Freia, Gayle and Holly.
* Monty and Gerry Crouch, Sequim. In memory of our parents.
* Charles and Corrine Horton, Sequim. In memory of Jean Rielly.
* Vicki Lynne, Sequim. In memory of Carrie Lynn Lyster.
* Daphne Raymond, Port Angeles. In memory of Olivia Traband.
* Mary Louise Melly, Port Angeles. In honor of Peninsula College Educare, Early Head Star and ECE staff. Thank you for all the care you provide to children and families. Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year. You’re the greatest! M.Lou.
* Roberta McMahon, Port Townsend.
* The Toggery, Port Angeles.
* John and Karolyn Burdick, Clallam Bay.
* Frank and Sue Johnson, Sequim.
* Seymour and Margaret Levitan, Sequim.
* Dottie Hopkins, Port Angeles.
* Rebekah Baysinger, Forks.
* Durkee and Mary Richards, Sequim.
* John and Harriet Salathe, Sequim.
* K&M Trucking, Port Angeles.
* Hank and Becky Samson, Sequim.
* Vivian Chambers, Port Angeles.
* Mark and Diana Schildknecht, Port Angeles.
* Bob and Sandy Barrett, Nordland.
* Suzanne and Peter Graber, Port Ludlow.
* Margie Faires, Port Angeles.
* Larry and Kathie Karst, Port Angeles.
* Jodi O’Neill, Port Angeles.
* Thomas and Jeanne Mort, Sequim.
* Rose Crumb, Port Angeles.
* Patricia Bartlett, Port Angeles.
* Soeren and Connie Poulsen, Sequim.
* Jack and Linda Anderson, Sequim.
* Candace and Mike Shale, Sequim.
* M.J. Klay, Sequim.
* Don and Mae Wright, Port Angeles.
* Bob and Diana Murphy, Sequim.
* Keith and Fran Wollen, Port Angeles.
* Robert Scheuerman, Sequim.
* Peterson Case, Sequim.
* Dave Gossett, Joyce.
* Dick and Karen Brown.
* Bob and Verna Edwards, Port Angeles.
* Lois Barner, Port Angeles.
* The Finch Family, Sequim.
* Shirley Cloutman, Sequim.
* Julie Lanza, Port Townsend.
* Robert and Mara Howard, Sequim.
* Ruth Lund, Port Angeles.
* Hazel Gershowitz, Port Angeles.
* Mickey and Beth McGuffin.
* Barbara Phillips, Port Angeles.
* Rosemary Kane, Port Angeles.
* Ann Marie Moulton and David Skinner, Port Angeles.
* Charles and Marilyn Whidden, Port Angeles.
* Eldora Pederson, Port Angeles.
* Balducci Family, Port Angeles.
* John and Darlene Mjoen, Port Ludlow.
* Clark and Jaydee Price, Sequim.
* Bob and Janice Crist, Sequim.
* Jean Wuroen, Sequim.
* Charles F. Curtis, Sequim.
* Keith and Fran Wollen, Port Angeles.
* Bill and Millie Lawson, Sequim.
* Harriet Jean Freeman, Sequim.
* Lucy E. Willis, Sequim.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested anonymity):
* Forks; $250. To the glory of God.
* Forks; $500. In memory of Jean Sommerville.
* Port Angeles; $30. In honor of Gerald Staudenraus.
* Sequim; $50. In honor of Dennis and Mimi Johnson.
* Port Angeles; $1,000. In honor of Olympic Peninsula dentists.
* Port Angeles; $50. In memory of Cliff Miller.
* Sequim; $500. In memory of Joan Knapp, Nixa, Mo.
* Port Angeles; $30. In memory of Sondra.
* Port Angeles; $50. May your world be beautiful at the holidays and always. A worthwhile project. Congratulations.
* Silverdale; $100. In honor of I.L.B. from E.M.H. This is my Christmas gift to her, as she requested. Thanks for your community help.
* Port Angeles; $20. In memory of Joan Adele Gray.
* Port Angeles; $10. In memory of Joseph Maybury.
* Port Ludlow, $5.
* Port Ludlow, $500.
* Sequim; $200.
* Sequim; $600.
* Sequim; $100.
* Port Angeles; $50.
* Port Townsend; $100.
* Sequim; $100.
* Sequim; $300.
* Port Townsend; $50.
* Port Angeles; $100.
* Sequim; $500.
* Sequim; $10.
* Port Angeles; $100.
* Port Angeles; $25.
* Port Townsend; $200.
* Sequim; $1,000.
* Sequim; $5.
* Port Angeles; $75.
* Sequim; $100.
* Sequim; $25.
* Port Townsend; $300.
* Sequim; $30.
* Sequim; $25.
* Sequim; $183.82 (contributed as a jar of coins).
* Sequim; $50.
* Port Angeles; $50.
* Sequim; $200.
* Sequim; $20.
* Sequim; $100.
* Port Angeles; $20.
* Port Angeles; $35.
* Port Townsend; $25.
* Port Angeles; $25.
* Port Angeles; $143.
* Sequim; $50.
* Sequim; $25.
* Port Angeles; $100.
* Sequim; $200.
* Sequim; $200.
* Sequim; $200.
* Sequim; $100.
* Sequim; $25.
* Port Angeles; $10.
* Port Angeles; $100.
* Port Angeles; $10.
* Sequim; $140.
* Port Angeles; $40.
* Sequim; $25.
* Sequim; $100.
* Port Ludlow, $25
* Port Ludlow, $25
* Sequim, $1,000.
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HANDWRITING CAN BE hard to decipher at times.
Please report any errors in this list to John Brewer, 360-417-3500 (there’s voice mail if he’s away); or e-mail him at john.brewer@peninsuladailynews.com.
We’ll rerun the listing correctly.
Our sincerest appreciation again to our donors.