Press Release
October 1, 2016
For More Information Contact:
Dave Pinkernell, President, 360-823-8325, Pinkernell@gmail.com
Richard Reiter, Campaign Chair, 360-834-7807, richardreiter@comcast.net
Camas-Washougal Community Chest
Launches 2016/2017 Fundraising Campaign
The Camas-Washougal Community Chest launched its fundraising drive October 1, 2016 with a goal of raising $75,000 for the 2016/2017 campaign. The money raised is used to fund grants to local non-profit organizations that serve Camas and Washougal residents in need, at-risk youth programs and address natural resource conservation and education. Since 1946 the Community Chest has been all about local people helping local people.
The CWCC just wrapped up a successful 2015/2016 campaign which saw it fund 19 grants for a total of $72,500. Programs and projects funded in 2015/2016 included support of the local food bank run by Inter-Faith Treasure House, funding for the family support programs run by the East County Family Resource Center in Washougal, tree plantings and invasive plant removal in the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Camas and Washougal Principal’s checkbook to help students in need and funding for food and food service supplies for the local Meals on Wheels program.
Other grants provided funding for staff and supplies for REACH’s self-sufficiency classes and workshops, for Camas Public Library’s summer reading program and for temporarily housing at-risk youth in a secure facility.
Based on feedback from some of the 2015 and 2016 grant recipients, donations to the Community Chest had the following impact in the local area:
- 4,900 meals served at the Lost and Found Café
- 5200 families received food boxes at the Inter-Faith Treasure House
- 400 families helped at the East County Family Resource Center in Washougal
- Camas and Washougal youth removed ten truckloads of invasive plants and planted 500 native trees at our local wildlife refuge
- Safe housing at The Oaks for 21 at-risk youth from Camas and Washougal
- 60 swimming scholarships by Camas Parks and Recreation
- 2,600 youth participated in Camas Public Library’s summer reading program
Major support for the 2015/2016 fundraising campaign came from Georgia Pacific employees and the Georgia Pacific Foundation. Other major donors in 2015/2016 included HP employees and the HP Corporation, Camas School District employees, City of Camas employees, Plexsys Interface Products, Katherine Sinclair Living Trust, Oakridge Estate HOA and AllWeather Wood.
To reach its $75,000 goal for the 2016/2017 campaign, the CWCC needs 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. Individuals and businesses can also donate by participating in Fred Meyer’s Community Rewards program and Amazon’s Smile program. Details and electronic links to the two community support programs can be found at the Website listed above.
The CWCC is a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization for federal charitable tax deduction purposes. Says CWCC President Dave Pinkernell, “giving to the Community Chest is an easy and efficient way to help people in need in our home town.”
Local non-profit organizations planning to apply for a grant can download the 2017 application form from CWCC’s website after October 15, 2016. Applications for 2017 grants are due by no later than December 15, 2016. Applicants will be informed during March 2017 as to whether or not their project or program is funded and at what level. Grant payments are made quarterly beginning with initial payments in March 2017.
To be eligible for a grant, applicants must provide services in Camas and/or Washougal, be a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and provide service in one or more of the following areas; education, youth activities, aid to people with special needs, natural resource conservation, health and welfare programs and crisis and emergency services.
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2016 Grant Program Summary
Total number of grants awarded – 19 grants to 18 organizations
Total value of grants awarded – $72,500
Estimated number of individuals served by grants – more than 15,000
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Community Programs/Projects Funded in 2016
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
Helps fund family educator/case manager position, replaces public access computer and helps with four asset building workshops for those seeking the Center’s support.
Friends of Camas Community Center
One grant helps fund Camtown Youth Festival’s 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 youth to use Janus facility in Vancouver. Serves Camas and Washougal 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.
Meals on Wheels
Purchases food and food service supplies for Camas and Washougal Meals on Wheels program.
Friends and Foundation of the Camas Library
Supports the library’s summer reading program for kids and teens.
Friends of the Columbia Gorge
Helps 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 tokens.
Camas Sister City
Pays for student bus transportation, admission fees and expenses associated with school and civic receptions. Student exchanges are planned with two Japanese cities and three Polish cities.
Camas Athletics Booster Club
Helps Liberty Middle School students with scholarships to participate in extracurricular athletic activities.
New Day Dental
Provides basic oral health services for low-income, homeless, unemployed, seniors or ethnic minorities from Camas and Washougal. Potential patients must be referred by local social service agencies who partner with New Day Dental.
Opera Quest Northwest
Helps to educate, enrich and instill a love of music in children by introducing them to opera through a lively production that blend classic opera excerpts with a humorous, interactive script.
Pathways Pregnancy Clinic
Provides curriculum, supplies and educator to conduct workshops to help moms care for their child.
Boy Scouts of America – Camas/Washougal Troops
Help fund Campership Awards so that families in need can send their scouts to summer camp.