by MATTHEW NASH
Sequim Gazette

For its 2010 campaign, United Way of Clallam County raised and received commitments for $900,715 to support its 24 partner agencies, Community Solutions initiatives and operations.

 

Jody Moss, United Way executive director, said the campaign went surprisingly well.

 

“One of the things that amazes me about this community is how concerned they are about their neighbors and friends,” Moss said. “In the last few years, we’ve seen fewer givers but people who give more. It shows how caring people are.”

 

The 24 agencies and initiatives, such as supporting early learning and parent education, were allocated $626,583 for April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012. Another $46,331 will go to nonpartner agencies as requested by donors.

 

Nola Grier, internal operations manager for United Way, said some of the pledged monies are set aside because some of the money requested might not be collected.

 

In 2010, donors gave about $953,000 with the goal remaining at $1 million.

 

“Sequim had a great campaign and increased their giving by about $5,000,” Moss said.

 

She said the campaign is about equal to last year’s donations because they didn’t manage the federal campaign and a private business couldn’t make its annual large contribution.

 

The primary fundraising campaign runs September to mid-November with complementary year-round activities and fundraisers.

 

Moss said other United Way’s fundraisers varied.

 

“It’s mixed and hard to compare,” she said. “It’s all locally run and very dependent on partnerships and the businesses in their communities.”

 

She said in Pierce County, they’ve relied on the banking industry, which has fluctuated, and her colleagues in Bellingham have flourished because of local oil refineries doing well fiscally because of high oil prices.

 

United Way of Clallam County partner agencies are the American Red Cross/Olympic Peninsula Chapter, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula, Camp Fire, Clallam Bay/Sekiu Crisis Center, Clallam County Family YMCA, Concerned Citizens for Special Children, First Step Family Support Center, Forks Abuse Program, Forks Food Bank, Girl Scouts of Western Washington, Healthy Families of Clallam County, Lutheran Community Services, Olympic Community Action Programs, Parenting Matters Foundation, Peninsula Community Mental Health Center, Peninsula Dispute Resolution Center, Pro Bono Lawyers, St. Andrew’s Place Assisted Living Facility, Salvation Army, Serenity House of Clallam County, Snap, Volunteer Chore Services, Volunteers in Medicine of the Olympics and West End Youth & Community Club.

 

United Way of Clallam County’s board of directors approved allocations March 8.

Achievement

John Skow, who is retiring from the United Way board after 13 years, was recognized as the first Live United Champion on March 8. A Live United Champion is someone who lives the United Way values and has exhibited exemplary service to United Way and to the community.

 

United Way board members and staff wish to thank community members and volunteers for a very successful United Way campaign during such a significantly trying year.

 

For more information on United Way of Clallam County, contact 457-3011 or visit www.unitedwayclallam.org.