EDITOR’S NOTE: See accompanying story today, “Widow gives Peninsula Home Fund couple a gift from the heart — her wedding rings.” You can donate to the Peninsula Home Fund for 2015 by clicking HERE. Thank you!
PORT ANGELES — Jim’s Pharmacy has presented $1,043.28 to the Peninsula Daily News’ “hand up, not a handout” Peninsula Home Fund.
The Home Fund was Jim’s “Shop with Loyalty and Shop Locally” charity for December.
Each month, Jim’s donates a portion of its profits from over-the-counter sales, plus donations from customers and employees, to a local nonprofit organization.
“We had donation jars at each register and brought in used books to sell to customers,” said Linda Cameron, Jim’s customer service manager.
“The employees set up an extra casual day where they made a donation in order to dress in Seahawks garb.
“This is our way of saying thank you, and we recognize the effort it takes your organization and staff to provide what you do for those in need in our community.”
Jim’s Pharmacy, 424 E. Second St. (behind the Port Angeles post office), also made the Home Fund its December charity of the month in 2013. That effort raised $904.04.
A record-setting $271,981 was contributed to the Home Fund in 2014, most of it raised during the annual campaign drive between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve.
The money was presented last Thursday to Home Fund caseworkers at the offices of OlyCAP — Olympic Community Action Programs — in Port Angeles so it can begin making a difference in the lives — and futures — of our neighbors.
OlyCAP, the No. 1 emergency-services agency for Jefferson and Clallam counties, manages the fund for the PDN, screens the applicants — and provides life-changing services to those who need a “hand up, not a handout.”
Every penny goes to OlyCAP to help the most vulnerable members of our community, from infants to families to seniors, who suddenly face an emergency and can’t find help elsewhere.
Instances of help are usually below $100, with a limit of one grant from the fund within 12 months.
In addition to getting an individual or family through a crisis, every effort is also made to put them back on the path to self-sufficiency.
The 2014 Home Fund — fueled by $268,389 raised in 2013 — ran out of money Christmas week.
Many of the 3,951 community recipients from the fund last year were children — getting shoes, eyeglasses so they could read and winter coats for the school bus stop.
In the past 26 years, the Home Fund has distributed $2,755,265 to help those in need on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Fund never closes
The books on the 2014 fundraising drive are now closed.
But the Peninsula Home Fund itself never closes.
Donations of any amount are always welcome.
They can be sent at any time to Peninsula Home Fund, Peninsula Daily News, P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362. (Please include a 2015 donation coupon; see second photo with this story.).
To donate online by credit card, visit https://secure.peninsuladailynews.com/homefund.
All Peninsula Home Fund contributions are fully IRS tax-deductible.
New contributions, including Jim’s Pharmacy’s $1,043, will go toward the 2015 fundraising campaign.
Contributions totaling more than $15,000 collected last year before Thanksgiving gave the Home Fund a running start on the 2014 drive.
New donors
In addition to Jim’s, we want to thank these 2015 donors; their gifts were received as of Friday:
■ Ann R. Kennedy, Port Angeles — $50.
■ Peggy Dire Olesen, Sequim — $200. In memory of Budman Dire and Michael Brown — two very awesome guys.
■ M.P. Minor, Sequim — $100.
■ Mary E. Sperling, Port Angeles — $50. In memory of Michael E. Fish.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested that the amount of their donation be kept private):
■ Emily Marcus and Willie Burer, Port Angeles.
■ Ellen Dustman, Port Townsend.
■ Katherine Johnson, Quilcene (for 2014).
■ Katherine Johnson, Quilcene (for 2015).
■ Walter E. Johnson, Port Angeles. In memory of Violet M. Johnson.
■ Beth Bower, Port Angeles. In memory of my sons, Donald and Michael Bower.
■ Patricia McElroy, Winston-Salem, N.C. In honor of Bruce and Jenna Brod.
■ Brad Anderson, Port Angeles.
■ Mr. and Mrs. Hoffmann, Sequim.
■ James R. Martin, Sequim.
■ Carla Michaels, Sequim.
■ Jake and Louise Marley, Port Townsend
■ Janiell McLaughlin, Port Angeles.
■ Hazel, Judy, Lorraine and Marian, Port Angeles. In memory of Violet M. Johnson.
■ Colleen Lamb-Gunnerson and Byron Gunnerson, Port Angeles. In memory of Violet M. Johnson.
■ Robert Sheridan, Sequim
■ Olympic Springs Inc., Carlsborg.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested anonymity):
■ Tacoma — $200.
■ Port Ludlow — $75. In memory of my great-grandparents, William and Veronica Laverick.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $400.
■ Port Townsend — $100. In memory of Gerald Thorsen.
■ Port Angeles — $25. In honor of Anna Barrigan.
■ Port Townsend — $100.
■ Port Ludlow — $10
■ Port Angeles — $2,000. In memory of Jack “Rocky” Rockwell. Thank you for the past 36 years we loved, laughed and lived for. You made me your “Queen of Hearts.” Memories of our many trips to tropical islands will remain in my heart forever. “Aloha oe,” my love. Until we meet again!
■ Port Angeles — $10.
■ Port Angeles — $75. In memory of Helen Wood.
_________
EVEN THE BEST 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 email him at jbrewer@peninsuladailynews.com.
We’ll rerun the listing correctly.
Please also contact Brewer if you have any questions about the Home Fund.
Our sincerest appreciation again to our donors.
