PORT TOWNSEND — When the owners of Port Townsend Athletic Club heard that United Good Neighbors of Jefferson County was having trouble raising dollars to help the needy, they put some muscle into the fundraising effort.
The downtown fitness center raised $2,050 this month during a two week campaign, selling 205 passes to eager holiday shoppers in search of a gift.
“We’re always looking for ways to promote fitness. This was a win-win situation: People get the benefit of exercise, and UGN got a much-needed donation,” said the athletic club’s owner, Teresa Hoffmann.
Many purchasers of the 10 days for $10 pass gave them as holiday gifts for friends and family.
“It has been a joy seeing all the new faces trying out our fitness¬ classes and new facility,” said Jim Larson, the club’s manager.
Edensaw donation
Meanwhile, United Good Neighbors received a check for $12,500 from Edensaw Woods in Port Townsend, a company that typically gives donations, as do the employees of Port Townsend Paper Corp. mill.
Mill employees are expected to deliver a check in January.
Lizanne Coker, UGN fundraising campaign director, said although a total has not been tallied, UGN has raised more than $115,000.
The nonprofit UGN has set a fundraising goal of $275,000 for 2008. Fundraising runs from July to June.
“This is the kind of place where people step up to help,” Coker said.
“The Hoffmanns are people of action. They represent the very best ideals of the people of Jefferson County.”
More than a third of UGN community contributions come directly from local businesses. Support for UGN is accepted year round.
Proceeds are allocated to certified agencies, like the better-known United Way campaigns in other jurisdictions.
United Good Neighbors didn’t reach its fundraising goal of $261,360 during the 2007 campaign, but none of the 38 organizations to which it allocates money received less than expected.
Two new organizations added to this year’s campaign are Community Outreach Association Shelter Team, a nonprofit group of church and nondenominational Port Townsend-area residents who volunteer for the homeless shelter in Port Townsend, and St. Vincent de Paul.
United Good Neighbors allocates donations to local health and community service providers in Jefferson County.
Funds also go to administrative costs, into fund-raising efforts and into a reserve.
The reserve ensures that none of the nonprofit groups depending on money from the group are shorted, he said.
Other agencies
The group gives money to such agencies as Jefferson County Health and Human Services, Jefferson Mental Health Services, Olympic Community Action Programs, Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault, Big Brothers Big Sisters and The Boiler Room.
Money can be donated into the organization’s general fund or can be designated for specific programs supported by the organization.
To donate to UGN, phone 360-385-3797 or contact it online at www.unitedway-wa.org/jefferson.
Donations also can be mailed to UGN at P.O. Box 595, Port Townsend, WA 98368.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
