Camas-Washougal Community Chest Announces 2015 Grant Awards
The Camas-Washougal Community Chest is pleased to announce the award of 15 grants totaling $69,375 to local non-profit organizations delivering services, exclusively, to children and families in Camas and Washougal. The grants will fund such diverse services as emergency food assistance, aid to families in crisis or needing emergency services, safe temporary shelter for at-risk youth, summer swimming scholarships or enhancing the habitat of Gibbons Creek in the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. In addition, monies have been reserved for up to $500 mini-grant applications from Camas-Washougal Boy and Cub Scout troops. Since 1946 the Community Chest has been all about local people helping local people.
Some of the non-profit organizations being funded in 2015 include Inter-Faith Treasure House, Children Home Society’s East County Family Resource Center, Janus Youth Program and Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership. For a complete listing of the 2015 grant awards see attached 2015 grant summary.
To reach its 2015 fundraising goal of $70,000, the CWCC needs additional donations from individuals and businesses in Camas and Washougal. More information and donation forms can be found on the CWCC’s website at www.CamasWashougalCommunityChest.org. The CWCC is a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization for federal charitable tax deduction purposes. Says CWCC President David Pinkernell, “the needs in the local community continue to be great and we hope families and businesses can help the Community Chest support local non-profit organizations that are providing much needed community services”.
2015 Grant Program Summary
Total number of grants awarded – 15 grants to 14 organizations
Total value of grants awarded – $69,375
Estimated number of individuals served by grants – more than 15,000
Community Programs/Projects Funded in 2014
- Inter-Faith Treasure House – Provides funding for emergency and daily food needs, school backpack program, emergency rent and utility assistance, school supplies, weekly dinner programs, outreach activities.
- Children’s Home Society, East County Family Resource Center – Funds to provide child development training for center’s lead staff person to improve delivery of counseling services to clients.
- Friends of Camas Community Center – One grant provides funding for Camtown Youth Festival arts and crafts supplies. A second grant provides funding for 60 swimming lesson sponsorships.
- Camas Children’s Fund – To help Camas school principals provide for basic student needs to give these students equal opportunities at school.
- Washougal Children’s Fund – To help Washougal school principals provide for basic student needs to give these students equal opportunities at school.
- Janus Youth Programs – Funding for facility beds for Camas and Washougal residents to use Janus facility in Vancouver. Serves CW runaway homeless youths at risk for abuse and neglect. Re-introduces kids to safe housing.
- Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership – Outdoor applied learning program for youth, including habitat enhancement projects adjacent to Gibbons Creek in the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
- Community Pregnancy Clinic of Camas-Washougal – To assist with certifying two nurses to perform obstetric ultrasounds.
- Meals on Wheels – Purchase food and food service supplies for Camas and Washougal Meals on Wheels program.
- Friends and Foundation of the Camas Library – To support the library’s summer reading program for kids and teens.
Friends of the Columbia River Gorge – Help fund the Vic Clausen Youth Outdoor education program for sixth graders in Jemtegaard and Canyon Creek Middle schools in Washougal School District. - REACH Community Development (formerly known as ACE) – Funds staff, administrative and supply costs to provide classes, workshops and meetings with residents to build self-sufficiency.
- Camas Farmers Market – Helps implement “Produce Pals”, a weekly activities program to educate children about where and how food is produced. Kids completing weekly program receive a $2 token to spend at Camas Farmers Market – funds will buy $3,600 in tokens.
- Silver Star Search and Rescue – Provides one-third of the revenue needed to purchase a newer truck to replace their current 31-year old emergency response vehicle.
- TOPSoccer – Buys tee shirts and trophies to enhance the soccer experience for local children with physical and/or mental disabilities. Playing soccer improves children’s physical fitness, self-esteem and community friendships.