EDITOR’S NOTE — This is the first in a series of articles on the Peninsula Home Fund. The next article will appear Wednesday.
PORT TOWNSEND — Clay Neideigh is a quiet, gentle man who knows what it’s like to live in harm’s way.
He also knows what it is like to scramble to provide a secure environment for his children.
He was an Army sniper in the Middle East during the first Gulf War’s Operation Desert Shield and remembers that “what Saddam did to the people there was awful.”
After his discharge, he went to college, got a degree in culinary arts and worked as a chef.
But while he was overseas with the Army, he says, his wife became involved with drugs.
Slowly but surely, all of their money and assets, including their home, were at risk.
By the spring of this year, Neideigh and his wife were getting a divorce — and he had lost the house.
He counted his blessings, though — his two children, ages 4 and 9, were with him and in good health.
Neideigh and the children left Eastern Washington for the North Olympic Peninsula, where a cousin lived.
Turning point for Neideigh
They had lunch at the Silverwater Café in Port Townsend.
The Silverwater is located in the heart of downtown Port Townsend, on the corner of Washington and Taylor Streets, across from Haller Fountain and next to the Rose Theatre.
“I loved the food, the place and the whole set-up, so I asked if I could hand in my resume,” he recalls.
The Silverwater’s co-owner, Alison Hero, suggested he return that night to make dinner for herself and her business partner, David Hero.
“I cooked them dinner, and they loved it,” he says.
“I met the executive chef, the Heros made me an offer and here we are.”
He was hired as the restaurant’s night sous-chef.
He says the Heros are “awesome to work for” and encourage his culinary creativity.
Neideigh was now working, and his children were in school.
But finding permanent housing wasn’t so easy.
He had little money — and poor credit — because of his earlier problems.
While searching anxiously for a solution, he was referred to OlyCAP — nonprofit Olympic Community Action Programs, the No. 1 emergency care agency in Jefferson and Clallam counties.
OlyCAP also screens the applicants for the Peninsula Daily News’ “hand up, not a handout” Peninsula Home Fund and distributes the funds.
At OlyCAP, Clay received information from the housing service manager, signed up for TBRA (Tenant Based Rental Assistance) and for a Section 8 housing subsidy.
He was also referred to the Veterans Benefits Administration.
“I thought I was too young to get benefits,” he says. “Turned out I was wrong.”
Housing services staff at OlyCAP located an apartment for the family through Townsend Bay Property Management Co.
“Even though his credit was shaky, I was so impressed by Clay’s chutzpah in making a home for his kids that I wanted to help him get in the apartment,” says Chris Nelson, agent with the management company.
Clay and his children were approved to move in.
In fact, he made such a favorable impression on everyone involved that the property management company solicited donations to help the family furnish the new home.
Peninsula Home Fund aid
Still, a final hurdle remained.
Neideigh’s paycheck and veteran’s benefits were not enough to pay for move-in costs — first and last month’s rent and security deposit.
The Peninsula Home Fund to make up the difference, and the family was able to move into the new apartment.
The Peninsula Home Fund provides a unique lifeline on the North Olympic Peninsula.
All the money collected for the Home Fund goes — without any deductions — 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 — from Jan. 1 through Nov. 21 this year, the Home Fund had helped 2,704 individuals and families in Jefferson and Clallam counties.
And on that list is Clay Neideigh and his family.
Says Neideigh: “We just love it here. I’m struck that so many people here have stepped up to help.”
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.
No money is deducted for administration or other overhead.
Your entire donation — 100 percent, every penny — goes to help those who are facing times of crisis.
All contributions are fully IRS tax-deductible.
Your personal information is kept confidential.
Peninsula Daily News does not rent, sell, give or otherwise share your address or other information with anyone, or make any other use of the information.
Instances of help are designed to get an individual or family through the crisis — and every effort is made to put them back on the path to self-sufficiency.
That’s the “hand up, not a handout” focus of the fund.
Peninsula Home Fund case managers at OlyCAP work with individuals or families 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, churches, service organizations and school groups set a new record for contributions in 2007 — $193,312.11.
With heavy demand this year, the carefully rationed fund is being rapidly depleted.
All the money collected in 2007 is expected to be spent before Dec. 31.
Peninsula Home Fund contributions are often used in conjunction with money from other agencies, enabling OlyCAP to stretch the value of the contribution, as it did for Neideigh.
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” and attach it to the coupon that accompanies this story.
Mail both items 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 holiday season fundraising campaign.
A number of generous individuals and organizations have been donating money to the Peninsula Home Fund since the first of the year.
While most of the money is raised between Thanksgiving and Dec. 31, the fund itself never closes.
Donations of any amount are always welcome.
Here is a list of donors whose contributions were received between last Jan.1 and Nov. 21 — thank you very much for making a difference in the lives — and futures — of your neighbors like Clay Neideigh and his children.
John W. Warrick and Ruth Jenkins, Port Angeles — $110.
Darryl and Shelley Wolfe, Port Angeles — $25.
Leroy and Margie Movius, Port Angeles ¬– $25. In honor of the Port Angeles Fire Department medics.
Newcomers Club, Port Angeles — $200. From the Families In Need Committee.
Just Dolls of Washington Doll Club, Port Angeles — $500. In honor of those who participated in the “SpringTime . . . SwingTime” Doll show of Feb. 9, 2008.
Port Angeles Golden Agers/Mary Fund, Port Angeles — $207.62. In memory of Mary.
Venture Club of Port Angeles, Port Angeles — $400. To help with those in need.
Peninsula Dream Machines, Port Angeles — $274.25.
Alaska Invitational Golf Tournament — 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 10 at SunLand Golf and Country Club in Sequim.
It raised $2,625. This is the eighth year in a row that the tournament has raised money for the Peninsula Home Fund. Its sponsors were:
Jean Ernst, Sequim.
Steven and Donna Worden, Sequim.
Windermere Real Estate, Sequim and Port Angeles.
Peninsula Mortgage, Sequim.
Michael Murphy, Merrill Lynch, Anchorage, Alaska.
Tom Cantwell, Windermere SunLand, Sequim.
Ken Clark, Clark Land Office, Sequim.
Bob and Thelma Sinnett, Sequim.
Blake Sand & Gravel, Sequim.
Jan and Wes Stoecker, Sequim.
7 Cedars Casino, Blyn.
Julie and Lloyd Hightower, Sequim.
Bob Lilleston, Sequim.
Tyler Sweet, Sequim.
First Federal, Port Angeles.
Two benefit shows by The Reincarnations of Rock & Roll, a Port Townsend-based group, for the Peninsula Home Fund at The Upstage restaurant in Port Townsend on Feb. 3 and at the Eagles Club in Port Angeles on Aug. 16 raised $2,500.
Our sincere thanks to “Elvis” (James Reynolds of Brinnon), “Janis Joplin” (Kendra, Reynolds’ wife) and Raven, a Port Townsend musician, showman and actor who recreated Buddy Holly.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested that the amount of their donation be kept private):
Olympic Springs, Inc., Carlsborg.
Peninsula Daily News employees in Port Angeles, Sequim and Port Townsend.
Anna T. Martin, Port Angeles. In honor of Nickie.
Terry and Cleone Telling, Quilcene. In memory of Judy Miller.
Susan and Barry Shamis, Port Angeles. In honor of Benjamin Shamis.
Ake and Siw Almgren, Sequim.
Barnell and McConaghy Family, Port Angeles. In honor of Wes and Doris Bokamper.
Ruth and Gerald Dunlop, Sequim. In honor of Peter Dunlop.
Bill and Beverlee Benbow, Sequim.
Robert and Mary Brodhun, Port Angeles. In memory of Myrtle Weed.
Sally Britton, Sequim. In memory of Bob Salberg.
Steve and Linda Norris, Port Angeles.
Susan Chadd and Bob Boardman, Port Angeles.
Pat and Patti Fogard, Sequim.
Ken and Jenora Breitbach, Port Angeles. In memory of Myrtle Weed.
Barb Cochran, Port Townsend.
Robert and Josephine Williams, Port Angeles.
Ray and Janie Crowe, Sequim. In honor of my husband, so he can get his teeth fixed.
Jessica M. Wessler, Port Angeles.
Barbara Getz, Sequim. In memory of Jerry Getz.
Richard and Marilyn Schiefelbein, Wenatchee. In honor of Myrtle Marie Weed.
Jerald Lone, Yorba Linda, Calif.
Danny and Sandy Smith, Sequim.
Mimi and Larry Sutton, Sequim.
Jeff Chew and Ann Bogard, Port Angeles.
Bill and Donna Conn, Sequim.
Everett and Joanne Evans, Port Angeles.
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Irish, Sequim. In memory of Myrtle Marie Weed.
Patrick and Paula McAvoy, Port Ludlow.
Douglas Milholland, Port Townsend.
Taylor Prejean, Port Townsend.
Ronald and Janet Woods, Sequim.
Traci Bass, Escondido, Calif. (as a result of the sale of two pieces of art by Jeff Becker through Charitable Art of Sequim.)
WISH ¬– Women Into Scandinavian Heritage, Port Angeles.
Jean Simmons, Port Angeles.
Carla Mooyman, Port Townsend.
Jack Lyon, Port Angeles.
Angelo and Brenda Spandrio, Sequim.
Hobie Iredale, Sequim, and Amber McCarter, Port Angeles (as a result of the sale of two pieces of art by Pat Webber and Jeff Becker through Charitable Art of Sequim.)
Second Saturday, Sequim .
Margie A. Movius, Port Angeles. In honor of Philip R. Downer, M.D.
Jerry and Patricia Dean, Port Angeles.
Randy and Laura Sandwick, Port Angeles.
Barbara Newton, Port Angeles.
Glenn and Marie Wiggins, Port Angeles.
Jack and Cynthia Caldicott, Sequim.
Steve and Diana Losch, Port Angeles.
James and Marjean Price, Port Angeles.
Robert Lehman, Port Angeles.
Patricia Gadd, Port Angeles.
Mary Kay McCabe, Port Angeles.
Sandy Frankfurth, Sequim.
David Brackett, Port Angeles.
Eiko Wine, Port Angeles.
Robert and Carolyn Dodds, Sequim.
J. Nutter, Port Angeles.
Andrew and Janice Meyers, Port Angeles.
Timothy and Lori Holcomb, Port Angeles.
Rod and Virginia Melville, Port Angeles.
Norman DeRousie, Port Angeles.
Richard and Kathy Lohrman, Sequim.
William and Clarice Kirkman, Port Angeles.
W.L. and S.A. Wallace, Port Angeles.
N.L. and M.M. Goodin, Port Angeles.
Dale Nichols, Carlsborg.
Cindy Hudson, Sequim.
Svein and Marcelle Seljeseth, Sequim.
John and Judith Hubbard, Port Angeles.
James Reynolds, Lynnwood.
Dolores Robb, Lynnwood.
Gary Blevins, Port Angeles.
Jack E. Headrick, Sequim.
Clive M. McIlrath.
Marilyn J. Linton, Sequim.
Larry J. Tritschler, Port Angeles.
Shirley T. Traylor, Port Angeles.
Cherie Kidd, Port Angeles. In memory of Margaret Kidd.
Eddie and Beatrice Temple, Sequim.
Don and Barbara Smith, Sequim.
League of British Women, Carlsborg.
Herbert and Marolyn Russell, Port Angeles.
Monterra Homeowners Association, Sequim — Monterra Homeowners Association’s annual donation to the Peninsula Home Fund, which we feel is a very worthwhile cause. The money that we have donated comes from recycled aluminum cans collected during the past year by all our residents.
Ernest and Suzanne Varney, Port Townsend.
George and Bertha Norris, Port Angeles — In honor of Thanksgiving.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested anonymity):
Sequim — $1,000.
Sequim — $1,000.
Port Ludlow — $500.
Poulsbo — $300.
Port Angeles — $20.
Sequim — $50.
Port Angeles — $25.
Sequim — $20.
Sequim — $50.
Port Angeles — $350. In honor of those who volunteer.
Port Angeles — $25. In honor of Marcy Woodruff. Congratulations on becoming an attorney! I knew you could do it!
Port Angeles ¬– $150. In honor of Ren.
Port Angeles — $150. In honor of Maggie.
Port Angeles — $150. In honor of Sam.
Port Angeles — $150. In honor of Kay.
Port Angeles ¬– $150. In honor of Scott.
Port Angeles, $150 — In honor of Andrew.
Port Angeles, $150 — In honor of Stuart.
Sequim — $50.
Sequim — $50.
Sequim — $100.
Port Townsend — $250.
Port Hadlock — $50.
Port Townsend — $100.
Sequim¬ — $50.
Port Angeles — $100.
Sequim — $50.
Port Townsend — $25.
Port Townsend — $153.40.
Port Angeles — $40.
Sequim — $30.
Sequim — $50.
Poulsbo — $300.
Sequim — $100.
Poulsbo — $300.
Poulsbo — $300.
Poulsbo — $300.
Port Townsend — $25.
Port Ludlow — $25.
Port Angeles — $100.
Port Angeles — $50
Sequim — $20.
Sequim — $200
Sequim — $50.
Port Angeles — $30.
Port Ludlow — $25
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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.
