PORT TOWNSEND — The Boiler Room stands to benefit from an unlimited double match pledge as it participates in #GivingTuesday, a global effort by charities and nonprofits meant to transform how people think about, discuss and participate in the holiday giving season.
#GivingTuesday begins today, signaling the beginning of a month of fundraising for nonprofits.
“This time of year, we get Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday,” said Amy Smith, the facility’s executive director.
“This is a nicer way to spend your money.”
Now in its third year, #GivingTuesday is a UNICEF-sponsored initiative that encourages people to contribute to local charities and nonprofits that make a difference in their local communities.
The purpose of the initiative is to “channel the generous spirit of the holiday season to inspire action around charitable giving,” according to a Boiler Room news release.
Specifically, the effort aims to raise funds for the Boiler Room, which has provided a safe, alcohol-free gathering place for youth since its 1993 founding, during which time it has saved the lives of many young people — including Smith.
In 2000, Smith was living on the street and addicted to meth when a visit to the Boiler Room turned her life around and led to her providing services to subsequent generations.
“We’ve touched thousands of lives,” she said.
“Last year, we had 100 volunteers, and we’ve been around for 20 years.”
For this year’s #GivingTuesday, an anonymous donor has promised an unlimited double match for all the funds contributed to the Boiler Room through the end of the year.
To make a contribution, visit http://tinyurl.com/PDN-BoilerRoom.
In the past year, The Boiler Room had 101 individual volunteers put in 8,977 hours behind the counter.
Workshops were held addressing nonviolent communication, mental health, first aid training and workplace safety.
The Boiler Room served as a distribution point for free meals and, with funding from United Good Neighbors, Port Townsend Rotary and FEMA, was able to provide 6,821 meals to Jefferson County residents through October, on track to meet a goal of 8,000 meals served in 2014.
Additionally, it has distributed more than 700 hygiene products through an on-site “hygiene pantry.”
After a successful 2014, Smith predicts more of the same for next year.
“We will start out by setting new goals, but we’ve done such a fantastic job over the past year,” she said.
“The question will be if we want to serve 8,000 meals this next year or try to do more.”
As part of the fundraising effort, the Boiler Room will hold its annual auction at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Cotton Building, 607 Water St.
The event starts with a silent auction followed by a live auction at 7:30 p.m. and will include such items as soaps, artwork, massages and restaurant gift certificates.
Along with the Boiler Room, Dove House Advocacy Services is participating in #GivingTuesday, although not in a big way, according to its Development Manager Tina Burlingame.
“This time of year is when people are looking at their bottom line and trying to find where they can give in order to lower their tax bracket,” Burlingame said.
“But it’s also a good way to shift attention to what the holiday season is all about.”
The extent of Dove House’s
#GivingTuesday campaign will be a fundraising message on its website, although it may become more active in the future, Burlingame said.
For more information about the Boiler Room, visit www.ptbr.org or phone 360-379-8247.
To contribute to Dove House, visit www.dovehousejc.org.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.