FORKS — Even though she struggles with cerebral palsy, Jan Hirsch is an active volunteer in her hometown of Forks.
She especially enjoys helping in the meal program for seniors at the Forks Recreation Center, where she is well-liked and appreciated.
“Just because I can’t work doesn’t mean I can’t be useful,” she says.
And thanks to the generosity of her Jefferson and Clallam neighbors who contributed in 2005 to the Peninsula Daily News’ “hand up, not a handout” Peninsula Home Fund, Jan was able to put down a deposit so she could get a much-needed apartment.
Says Jan:
“I want to say thank you to the ones who donated to the Home Fund. I wouldn’t have a place to live without it.”
All the money collected for the Peninsula Home Fund goes — without any deductions — to making life better for children, teens, families and the elderly across the North Olympic Peninsula.
The Peninsula Home Fund is used for hot meals for seniors, warm winter coats for kids, home repairs for the low income, needed eyeglasses and prescription drugs, dental work, safe, drug-free temporary housing . . .
The list goes on and on — and now includes helping Jan Hirsch.
Special schools
Jan was born and raised in Forks.
Born with cerebral palsy, for her first three years she couldn’t walk or speak a single word.
“I had to go to special schools all my life,” she recalls without even a hint of bitterness, “but eventually I could walk and talk and do most things.”
As she matured she had to accept the fact that her condition is severe enough to make her unemployable.
After 21 years in Forks, she moved to be near extended-family members in Pierre, S.D.
She did well there for more than 10 years and was able to live on her own.
But South Dakota’s severe winters became too much for her — so she decided to return to her family in Forks.
Jan lived with her family while she looked for an apartment.
With only her very modest disability income, however, she found her choices severely limited.
“I was becoming frustrated and didn’t want to be a burden to my parents,” she said. “I wound up living with them from September until March.”
She started looking for a place to live — and also began to volunteer at Forks Community Hospital’s long term care facility and at the Forks Rec Center for the senior meal program.
Money for apartment
“While volunteering, I told Rachel at the Rec Center that I found an apartment but didn’t have money to make the necessary deposit, and that’s when she told me about the Peninsula Daily News’ Peninsula Home Fund,” she recalled.
The “Rachel” to which she refers is Rachel Chilson, a West End client services specialist for OlyCAP — nonprofit Olympic Community Action Programs, the No. 1 emergency care agency in Jefferson and Clallam counties.
OlyCAP screens the applicants for the Peninsula Home Fund and distributes the funds.
Chilson has an office in that same Forks Rec Center in which Hirsch volunteers.
Rachel was able to put together the necessary deposit from the fund so Hirsch could secure a subsidized apartment.
She now is safe, secure and at home — and she continues to give back through her volunteer work.
“We are so glad to have Jan here,” says Chilson.
“She helps Cheryl (Newhouse, cook for the senior nutrition program) and is so nice to work with.
“She enjoys helping the seniors.
“It just seems fitting that when she needed help, the Home Fund was there.”
No deductions — a ‘hand-up’
From Thanksgiving through Dec. 31, the PDN’s Peninsula Home Fund — a safety net for residents in Jefferson and Clallam counties when there is nowhere else to turn — is seeking contributions for its annual holiday season fund-raising campaign.
From Port Townsend to Forks, from Quilcene and Brinnon to LaPush, it’s a “hand up, not a handout” for children, teens, families and the elderly.
The Peninsula Home Fund is a unique, nonprofit program:
* No money is deducted for administration or other overhead.
* All contributions are fully IRS tax-deductible.
* Your personal information is kept confidential. The Peninsula Daily News does not rent, sell, give or otherwise share your address or other information with anyone, or make any other use of it.
* All instances of help are designed to get an individual or family through the crisis — and back on the path to self-sufficiency. That’s the “hand up, not a handout” focus of the fund.
* 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.
Spent by Dec. 31
* Begun in 1989, the fund is supported entirely by Jefferson and Clallam residents.
Individuals, couples, businesses and school groups set a new record for contributions in 2005 — $135,168.75.
All of that money 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 contribution.
* Money is usually distributed in small amounts, usually up to $150.
* Assistance is limited to one time in a 12-month period.
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. Or e-mail him at john.brewer@peninsuladailynews.com.
How to donate
A gift of any size is welcome.
The Peninsula Home Fund has never been a campaign of heavy hitters.
If you can contribute only a few dollars, please don’t hesitate because you think it won’t make a difference.
Every gift makes a difference, regardless of its size.
To donate, write a check to “Peninsula Home Fund.”
Send with your name, address and dedication, if any, to Peninsula Home Fund, Peninsula Daily News, P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles 98362.
Or drop them at the newspaper’s offices in Port Townsend, Sequim or Port Angeles (addresses on page A2 of the PDN daily).
Again, all contributions are fully IRS tax-deductible.
You will receive a written thank you and acknowledgment of your contribution.
Peninsula Daily News publishes stories every Sunday and Wednesday during the fund-raising campaign listing contributors and reporting on how the fund works.
Contributions so far
We’ve gotten a running start on this year’s campaign.
A number of generous individuals and organizations have been donating money to the Peninsula Home Fund since the first of the year.
Here is a list of donors whose contributions were received between Jan. 6 and Friday, Nov. 24 — thank you very much for making a difference in the lives — and futures — of your neighbors:
* Alaska Invitational –an 18-hole, two-person best ball team event organized by Steve Worden with three divisions open to anyone with connections to Alaska — was held May 13 at SunLand Golf and Country Club in Sequim. It raised $2,750. This is the sixth year in a row that the tournament has raised money for the Peninsula Home Fund.
* Newcomers Club of the North Olympic Peninsula, Port Angeles — $2,000.
* Margo Donzé-Sanders, Sequim — $50. In memory of Mom.
* Margie A. Movius, Port Angeles — $25. In memory of Kathy Bushman Rix
* Margie A. Movius, Port Angeles — $25. In memory of Gloria Slater, Kathy Bushman Rix’s aunt.
* Jessica J. Phelps, Sequim — $40. Please use this for the poor at Christmas time. I’m 99 Dec. 8th. I can’t write or do anything else. It is someone’s life. I take care of it.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested that the amount of their donation be kept private):
* Fairview Homemakers Club, Sequim.
* Olympic Springs Inc., Carlsborg.
* Venture Club, Port Angeles.
* Angelo and Brenda Spandrio, Sequim.
* Leighton and Sherry Clark, Port Angeles.
* Judith A. West, Port Townsend.
* Karen and Jim Meuir, Port Angeles.
* David and Peggy Brewer, Sequim. In loving memory of Ann Brewer.
* David and Diane Horton, Port Angeles. In memory of Caroline, Betty and Poppa.
* Sara Lee O’Connor, Port Angeles. In memory of John O’Connor.
* The Kurhajetzes, Port Angeles. In honor of all our Ninth and E street neighbors, the Kurhajetz and Vincent families, and all our friendly area service proviers. Thank you all for providing such a valuable service. All our hopes and prayers are with you and yours.
* Robert W. Rollog, Webster, NY. I learned about the Home Fund through reading your daily paper delivered here. Keep up the good work.
* Randy and Holly Michalscheck, Port Angeles. In honor of our aunt, Susan Larson, who recently had surgery. At her request, she asked us that instead of sending her flowers we donate the money we would have spent on them to the Peninsula Home Fund. My husband and I are making this donation on her behalf.
* Dan Green, Port Angeles. In memory of Dan Green.
* Jane Martin, Sequim.
* Bob Reeve, Sequim.
* Joseph Paulsen.
* Bonnie Meehan, Port Angeles.
* Bob Bullinger, Sequim.
* June Hall, Sequim.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested anonymity):
* Port Townsend — $275.
* Sequim — $100.
* Sequim — $50.
* Sequim — $25.
* Port Townsend — $200.
* Port Townsend — $50.
* Sequim — $25.
* Sequim — $50.
* Sequim — $100.
* Port Angeles — $25.
* Port Angeles — $100.
* Sequim — $100.
* 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.