United Way Open House

When: Ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17

Where: 1601 E. Front St., Bldg. 2-AB, Port Angeles

Includes: door prizes, light refreshments

The United Way of Clallam County staff is settling into new quarters following a move from its 35-plus-years occupancy on the third floor of a historical downtown building.

The new location is 1601 E. Front St. in Port Angeles, in the rear brick building of a complex of former government offices.

Improved accessibility and visibility were drivers in selecting this location, said Paul McHugh, of Sequim, a UWCC board member who spearheaded the move.

McHugh stresses that this move in terms of cost is “lateral.” The rent plus heat and lights is nearly the same as UWCC paid to occupy third floor space in the K.O. Erickson Building at 102½ E. First St., next to the fountain plaza. There is no elevator in that building.

The new offices now are on a single ground-level floor with ample parking in front and back of the building. Visibility is improved because bold signage will be installed and motorists turning from Front Street easily should spot the driveway.

A public open house is planned for 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, with a formal ribbon-cutting at 4:30 p.m.

No changes are made to the UWCC mailing address, PO Box 937, Port Angeles 98362, or its phone number, 457-3011, or staff e-mails. The website is www.unitedwayclallam.org.

Formed in 1952 as United Good Neighbors, the nonprofit fundraiser became a United Way organization in 1974. It has two dozen partner agencies which receive the bulk of the funds in the annual campaign.

The new space includes a large meeting room big enough to accommodate the 21-member UWCC board of directors. Board members are eager that partner agency nonprofits will be able to use the space, including after hours, for their own meetings, training, programs and activities.

“While we’re sorry to be leaving the heart of downtown Port Angeles,” said UWCC President Jo Johnson, “we are pleased to offer a more accessible office location to our partner agencies and visitors.”

The mission of the United Way is to engage the community and focus local resources to improve lives in Clallam County. UWCC and its partner agencies coordinate services and programs to meet the educational, health and income-related needs of people in its communities.

The United Way is governed by a board of community representatives and operated by a staff of four.

The 2015 Campaign is nearing a conclusion in late March. On Feb. 13, “Super Saturday,” board members and other volunteers will hear from partner agencies as they present their funding requests and program/service deliveries for funding allocations.

Helping make the move cost effective were in-kind donations of furniture, furnishings, labor and minor interior remodeling.

The Erickson Building space is available for rent.