Thank you! A record-breaking $135,168.75 from people and organizations in Jefferson and Clallam counties was contributed to the Peninsula Daily News’ Peninsula Home Fund.
More than $7,300 in last-minute contributions arrived last week.
Defying predictions of “donor fatigue,” this final total for the 2005 campaign from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve smashed the old record set in 2004 of $108,514.54.
Because the Peninsula Home Fund is down to pennies right now, a check will be given this week to OlyCAP — Olympic Community Action Programs, the No. 1 emergency care agency on the North Olympic Peninsula — so the money can begin helping your neighbors immediately.
OlyCAP manages the fund for the PDN, screens the applicants — and provides life-changing services to those who need a “hand up, not a handout.”
All Peninsula Home Fund contributions are fully IRS tax-deductible for the yearly period in which the check is written.
And every dollar donated — 100 percent — goes directly to assist those in need in Jefferson and Clallam counties.
There are no deductions for costs.
Fund never closes
The books on the 2005 fund 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.
New contributions will go toward the 2006 campaign.
The goodwill of PDN readers is hardly an anomaly.
But this time, given the tragedy of the Asian tsunami, Gulf Coast hurricanes and the earthquake in Pakistan and the outpouring of donations they inspired, readers’ record Peninsula Home Fund generosity dramatically stood out to OlyCAP and Peninsula Daily News officials alike.
The fund always has focused on the needs of local children and families, Tim Hockett, OlyCAP’s executive director, noted, adding:
“We expect to serve at least 2,000 from the fund in 2006, up at least 500 from 2005!
“This is uplifting, breath-taking, both because of the needs out there and the skilled hands and willing hearts that will be able to respond — thanks to PDN readers’ help.
“We will help save families, mend broken lives and comfort young and old in distress.
“The hundreds of Peninsula Home Fund donors — people who took the time to give back — make our communities the best in the world!
“Understandably, some people shifted some their charity donations to hurricane , earthquake and tsunami relief, but many others, I think, increased their overall contributions.
“Certainly, there’s no doubt PDN readers didn’t forget the critical needs here at home.”
‘Hand up, not handout’
In the past 12 months, the fund has assisted more than 1,500 individuals and households with a “hand up, not a handout.”
Completing its 16th year, Peninsula Home Fund is a safety net for residents in Jefferson and Clallam counties when they face economic or emotional emergency storms — and can’t find help elsewhere.
From Port Townsend to Forks, from Quilcene and Brinnon to LaPush, it’s a helping hand for children, teens, families and the elderly.
Every dollar goes 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.
The nonprofit program’s emphasis is on making sure no one falls through the cracks during the most demanding time of the year — winter.
In addition, all instances of help are designed to help get an individual or family back on the path to self-sufficiency.
OlyCAP’s 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.
That’s the “hand up, not a handout” focus of the fund.
No administrative costs
No money is diverted for administration or other overhead.
All costs are absorbed by Peninsula Daily News and OlyCAP.
Your personal information is kept confidential.
The PDN does not rent, sell, give or otherwise share your address or other information with anyone, or make any other use of it.
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 contributions.
To apply for a grant from the fund, phone OlyCAP at 360-452-4726 or 800-360-0666 (Clallam County) or 360-385-2571 (Jefferson County).
There are OlyCAP offices in Port Townsend (803 W. Park Ave.), Port Angeles (228 W. First St., Suite J) and Forks (651 E. Division St.)
Download the coupon via the “Peninsula Home Fund” button at left for contribution information.
New contributions
The following are contributions were received between Dec. 31 and Jan. 6 — thank you very much for making a difference in the lives — and futures — of your neighbors:
* J&J Construction, Port Angeles — $250. In honor of J&J Construction employees.
* Sue and John Miles, Port Angeles — $200. In honor of Walter Roth.
* Joyce Mestayer, Sequim — $50.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested that the amount of their donation be kept private):
* Dee and Garry Kispert, Sequim. In honor of Dennis and Mimi Johnson.
* Donna and Eric Miner, Sequim. In honor of all single-parent dads.
* Larry and Pat Ledbetter, Port Angeles. In memory of Mac Ledbetter.
* Katie Howe, Port Angeles. In honor of Kelly German — Happy Birthday!
* Dee and Sara Meek, Port Hadlock. In honor of our children.
* Pat Mata, Port Angeles. In memory of Dottie Jensen.
* Richard and Ginger Haberman, Forks. In memory of Cassidy Hunter.
* Sherrill Bjorklund, Sequim. In memory of Pete Wiater.
* J.R. Tacker, Port Angeles. In honor of Volunteers in Medicine of the Olympics.
* Patricia Wheatley, Port Angeles. In memory of my son, Byron Wheatley.
* Jim and Darlene Jones, Port Angeles. In memory of our parents — Kenny and Clara Owen, Howard and Catherine Jones.
* Angelo and Brenda Spandrio, Sequim.
* Hilde Martin, Port Angeles.
* Jim and Leslie Mraz, Huntington Beach, Calif.
* Diane and Conrad Pirner, Port Hadlock.
* Wayne and Tracy Fitzwater, Port Angeles.
* Jerry and Jackie Schwagler, Port Angeles.
* Barbara H. McCabe, Sequim.
* Jim and Kathy Wesley, Port Angeles.
* John and Karolyn Burdick, Clallam Bay.
* Ingrid Lehrer, Sequim.
* Roger and Maura Oakes, Port Angeles.
* Richard and Susan Cox, Sequim.
* Dwight and M.E. Bartholomew, Port Angeles.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested anonymity):
* Sequim — $100. In memory of Julie Welden.
* Sequim — $25. In memory of Betty Atkinson.
* Port Angeles — $15. In honor of H.S. Kennedy.
* Carlsborg — $100. In memory of sisters Bernice and Martha.
* Port Angeles — $300. In memory of all of us who ever needed a hand up, not a handout!
* Carlsborg — $300. In honor of the 1,000 cranes.
* Port Angeles — $50. To all of our military. Thanks.
* Port Angeles — $25. In memory of Harley Ruckus.
* Port Angeles — $100.
* Sequim — $50.
* Sequim — $100.
* Port Angeles — $100.
* Sequim — $400.
* Sequim — $100.
* Port Angeles — $50.
* Port Angeles — $100.
* Nordland — $10.
* Port Townsend — $75.
* Forks — $500.
* Port Angeles — $100.
* Port Angeles — $30.
* Carlsborg — $50.
* Port Angeles — $200.
* Port Angeles — $40.
* Sequim — $100.
* Sequim — $200.
* Port Angeles — $50.
* Sequim — $100.
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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.