Sequim Gazette staff

The need for support remains great, says Jean Stratton, executive director of the Dungeness Health & Wellness Clinic.

Fortunately, she says, there’s the generosity of businesses like Castell Insurance and Safeco Insurance.

Castell Insurance recently awarded a $2,000 grant to the Dungeness Valley Health & Wellness Clinic through a Safeco Insurance Make More Happen Award for volunteer service with the clinic.

Castell Insurance was selected for the award after James Castell submitted a photo and application showing the agency’s support of the Dungeness Valley Health & Wellness Clinic’s Annual Fun Walk.

“We’re just happy to be partners — it’s an amazing opportunity,” Castell said. “We’ve helped sponsor the Fun Walk for several years now and when I heard the opportunity to have Safeco partner with us I couldn’t pass it up. I figured it was a long shot to be selected as a winner but there’s no harm in trying.”

Trish Nelson, territory manager for Safeco Insurance, says her company provides about $150,000 annually with similar grants through the Safeco Foundation.

“It’s partnering with agents like this that makes it happen,” Nelson said.

Stratton said grants like these bolster the clinic’s goal — to serve uninsured and under-insured patients in the community.

“We’re very grateful … especially when it comes from someone in our own community, it means so much,” Stratton said.

Phil Castell, proprietor of Castell Insurance, said his employees plan to help out once again at the free clinic’s fundraiser walk, set for this Saturday, Sept. 14.

The Annual Fun Walk and Health Fair is an event to increase awareness of the clinic and its services as well as raise funds to continue its efforts in the community.