PORT ANGELES — United Way of Clallam County has raised more than half of its $800,000 fundraising goal for 2017, and campaign organizers are encouraging local residents to consider year-end gifts to help close the gap.
“More than $472,000 has been donated from individuals, businesses, service clubs and through special events,” Campaign Chair Laurie Szczepczynski said.
“We’re extremely pleased at the positive results so far, but we want to let donors know there is still time to make year-end gifts to help us reach our goal and make an impact in Clallam County.”
United Way will continue to collect donations for the 2017 campaign through March 31.
Organizers said a highlight from this year’s campaign has been Olympic Medical Center’s employee giving campaign. The center raised $112,326, more than $7,000 over its goal, with donations still being collected.
Leaders of the Olympic Medical Center United Way campaign team were honored for their efforts at the hospital commissioner’s meeting on Dec. 6.
The donations will be combined with other employee giving campaigns throughout Clallam County. The combined donations will be invested in the community through 25 local partner agencies that have programs and services focused on education, financial stability and health.
United Way also is raising donations through special events. United Way Fun Days, a restaurant takeover, has raised over $1,600 this year.
“Various local restaurants have participated, including Barhop, Next Door Gastropub, Bada Bean NW, Smuggler’s Landing and the Metta Room,” United Way CEO Christy Smith said.
“Typically the restaurant will host us for a couple hours with partial proceeds from food or drink deals donated to United Way. We already have several more takeovers planned for 2018, and we are trying to involve as many local businesses as possible.”
Other events this year include United Way’s 65th Anniversary Celebration, Forks Restaurant Days, the YMCA’s Mix & Mingle fundraiser for United Way and two days of community volunteering, the Day of Action and Day of Caring.
United Way of Clallam County’s mission is to strengthen the community by helping people live safe, healthy and productive lives.
“A strong community is a good place to call home,” Smith said. “We all win when families and individuals have their basic needs met, are healthy, succeed in school and are financially stable and independent.”
Donations can be directed towards a specific nonprofit or placed in the community fund.
Donations may be made by phone at 360-457-3011; online at www.unitedwayclallam.org; by mail at P.O. Box 937, Port Angeles, WA 98362; or dropped off at the United Way office at 1601 E. Front St., Building 2 Suite A, Port Angeles during normal business hours, excluding Dec. 22-26.
