EDITOR’s NOTE: This is another in a series of articles on the Peninsula Home Fund.
PORT TOWNSEND — When Anita Gabales arrived in Port Townsend three months ago, she began a journey to rebuild her life.
She had finally found the courage to leave an emotionally abusive relationship in another city — but now she needed emotional and financial support.
Gabales, 41, began looking for a job, but first she needed money to purchase gasoline to drive to job interviews, pay for laundry services and buy everyday items like food and basic toiletries.
After an interview in the Port Townsend office of OlyCAP — Olympic Community Action Programs — she received about $70 from the Peninsula Daily News’ Peninsula Home Fund.
She has since found a part-time job.
“The help I have received has changed my life,” she said.
“I had just loaded my car with my clothes and left — I had no real money and was alone.”
Peninsula Home Fund is a safety net for residents in Jefferson and Clallam counties when there is nowhere else to turn.
Helping children, teens, families and the elderly from Port Townsend to Forks, from Quilcene and Brinnon to LaPush, all the money in the fund goes — without deductions — 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 emphasis is on making sure no one falls through the cracks during the most demanding time of the year — winter.
Bank teller
In addition to her move and job searches, Gabales attends counseling sessions to remain alcohol and drug free.
Gabales hopes to find work as a full-time bank teller.
“I have had several interviews and have a part-time job, but I need to find a steady one,” she said.
She paused, then added:
“I am starting my life over again.
“To the people who donate to this fund — thank you very much. I appreciate it more than I can say.
“I am proud of my recovery, and I am so grateful for the support of the OlyCAP staff.
“I might not be here today if I didn’t have people supportive of me.”
No deductions
Peninsula Home Fund is seeking contributions for its annual holiday-season fund-raising campaign.
Now in its 14th year, the fund is managed for the Peninsula Daily News by OlyCAP, the No. 1 emergency care agency on the North Olympic Peninsula.
* No money is diverted for administration or other overhead. All costs are absorbed by the Peninsula Daily News and OlyCAP.
* All contributions are fully IRS tax-deductible.
* Money is commonly distributed in small amounts, usually up to $100.
* Assistance is limited to one time in a 12-month period.
Individuals, couples, businesses and school groups set a new record for contributions in 2001 — $63,777.
So far in 2002, about 650 people have received about $46,000 from the fund.
All of the money collected last year 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 contributions.
To apply for a grant from the fund, phone OlyCAP at 360-452-4726 (Clallam County) or 360-385-2571 (Jefferson County).
If you have any questions about the fund, contact John Brewer, Peninsula Daily News editor and publisher, at 360-417-3500.
How to donate
A gift of any size is welcome.
Peninsula Home Fund has never been a campaign of heavy hitters.
Every gift makes a difference.
Contributions will be accepted until Dec. 31.
Please use the coupon accompanying this story.
Again, all contributions are fully tax-deductible. You will receive a written thank you and acknowledgment of your contribution.
The Peninsula Daily News publishes news stories every Wednesday and Sunday during this year’s campaign listing contributors and reporting on how the fund works.
Contributions Nov. 27-29
So far this holiday season, $5,301 has been contributed to the Peninsula Home Fund. Counting in $6,750.73 donated from January through November, the total is $12,051.73.
The following are contributions received between Nov. 27 and Nov. 29 — thank you very much:
* Thomas W. Marzullo, Port Angeles, $25, in memory of Helen Marzullo.
* Howell G. Wedgeworth, Port Angeles, $25.
* Discount Cabinets of Washington, Sequim, $100.
* Carroll and Elnor Reid, Port Angeles, $25.
* Mrs. M. Dale and family, Port Angeles, $100.
* Anonymous, Sequim, $100, in memory of Jean.
* Anonymous, Port Angeles, $20, in memory of Ben and Bertha Church.
* Anonymous, Port Townsend, $50.
* Anonymous, Port Hadlock, $50.
* Anonymous, $25, Port Townsend.
* Anonymous, Sequim, $30.
* Anonymous, Sequim, $50.
* Anonymous, Sequim, $20.
* Anonymous, Port Angeles, $100.
* Anonymous, Port Angeles, $50.
* Anonymous, Sequim, $50.
* Anonymous, Sequim, $100.
* Anonymous, Sequim, $50.
* Anonymous, Port Angeles, $250.
* Anonymous, Port Angeles, $100.
* Anonymous, Port Angeles, $50.
* Anonymous, Port Angeles, $25.
* Anonymous, Forks, $25.
* Anonymous, Port Angeles, $100.
* Anonymous, Sequim, $50.
* Anonymous, Sequim, $50.
* Anonymous, Port Angeles, $25.
* Anonymous, Sequim, $100.
* Anonymous, Port Angeles, $100.
* Anonymous, Sequim, $20.
* Anonymous, Sequim, $100.
* Anonymous, Sequim, $50.
* *Jan McIlroy, Sequim, in memory of Bill McIlroy.
* *Doris L. Cromwell, Sequim, in honor of Mark Cromwell.
* *Frank Trostle, in memory of Sister Benny Childress.
* *Larry and Nancy Fox, Port Angeles, in memory of Jim Fox.
* *B.H. Boxwell, Sequim, in memory of Hannah and Leona Alhborn.
* *Art and Heather Wilmot, Port Angeles, in memory of Dean and Evelyn Wilmot.
* *Emma Larsen, Port Townsend.
* *Betty H. Paulk, Sequim.
* *Jim and Marci Thomsen, Port Angeles.
* *Donald Naddy, Port Angeles.
* *Dean C. Rowland, Sequim.
* *Frank and Sue Johnson, Sequim.
* *John and Rosemary Forster, Port Angeles.
* *Eleanor A. Thornton, Forks.
* *John and Sue Miles, Port Angeles.
* *Marvin and Carolyn Morillo, Port Angeles.
* *Marjorie Faires, Port Angeles.
* *David and Patricia Mattingley, Sequim.
* *Eleanor Naddy, Port Angeles.
* *Jim Burk and Dolores Mangano, Port Angeles.
*=Denotes amount of donation is private