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Community First Saturdays (CFS) began in 2018 as a way to promote and raise funds for community non-profits and organizations.
With 2020 and the resulting consequences of COVID 19, it has further solidified how vitally important community-based organizations are to our area, its well-being, and survival.
Our stores made a difficult decision to cancel the CFS promotions before they began since many of its elements were impossible to realize due to the virus restrictions. However, we did want to extend our monetary commitment to each of the recipients in the amount of $1000.
This final post for Community First Saturday attempts to shore up some last support and exposure for the area’s non-profits chosen for our 2020 promotions.
We won’t be shy. Our area non-profits are in desperate need of monetary assistance and we’re asking all that read this to reach out to one of the below organizations and commit to making one of the suggested actions below.
What can you do to help?
- Donate – Use direct donation links from their websites or from links below. Some organizations are so small that they don’t have online donation options. Don’t let that stop you, a check in the mail works too!
- Shop – Look for local retailers and businesses like ours that give back. There are so many! Funnel as many of your purchases as possible through local avenues of shopping and support those that give back to our community!
- Volunteer – Most non-profits are desperate for dependable talent and nothing feels better than doing something for one another. Contact them for available volunteer opportunities!
- Share – Not everyone has the time or money to donate but you can still do A LOT! Like our Facebook page HERE and share our Community First Saturday posts with your friends. Follow local non-profits and spread the word about your favorites! The more awareness we can raise, the more we support our community of givers!
Explore the nine selfless, local organizations below and spread some support to those that speak to you.
Sequim Wheelers – A Wheelchair Bike Program
Click HERE to donate now to the Sequim Wheelers
[email protected]
PO Box 276
Carlsborg, WA 98324
Sequim Wheelers provides adaptive bike rides to folks with physical mobility challenges free of charge. They have four adaptive bikes; 3 wheelchair bikes and one new side by side tandem bike. Sequim Wheelers’ whole philosophy is to enjoy the outdoors and nature and a bike ride with friends!
Due to COVID, the Sequim Wheelers 2020 season (3rd season) had to be put on hold. Social distancing is unfortunately not possible on adaptive bikes, and riders sit pretty close together. Modified programs for 2021 are being designed so that family members can give rides to family members. Sequim Wheelers were disappointed that they couldn’t offer rides & serve the community with rides in 2020 – but of course, safety & health of all come first.
The Sequim Wheelers received far fewer donations in 2020 because so many folks suffered financially during these difficult times.
“Community donations are always welcome and they ensure that they can provide continuing adaptive bike rides to our community in 2021 and beyond!
We are really thankful for the donation from Angeles Millwork & Hartnagel Building Supply, thank you!!! We know there will be better and safer times!!!”
Please contact Sequim Wheelers if you would like to use one of the adaptive bikes for any family members with mobility challenges. A representative will train riders at no charge for using the bike(s) during COVID restrictions.
Spread the word, Sequim Wheelers 4th season will begin in April 2021! Due to the pandemic, they will offer a modified program next season – family members can give rides to family members. Sequim Wheelers would like to extend their best wishes to all of you, “There are better times ahead. Stay safe & healthy!!!”
Pet Posse – Reuniting Precious Lost-and-Found Pets With Their Loving Owners
Click HERE to donate now to the Pet Posse
1130-1/2 East Front Street
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Pet Posse is a 501c3 all-volunteer nonprofit organization, dedicated to helping reunite missing pets with their owners and there is never a fee for the assistance.
On November 8, 2014, Pet Posse had their first reunitement in the City of Port Angeles, but quickly spread out to all of Clallam County, Poulsbo, Bremerton, and then to other states, such as California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, and even Louisiana. Pet Posse now routinely serves all of Washington State and beyond while they have expanded “pet” to include, not just dogs and cats, but ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, ducks, pigs, cows, horses, alpacas, tortoises, tarantulas, and anything else a person considers a “pet.”
Pet Posse also has expanded services to include:
- Assisting inpatients at OMC or Veterans Services with unattended pets
- An emergency shelter
- Ambulance transport of pets for veterinary needs
- Helping the County in a disaster
As of late November 2020, Pet Posse has helped reunite over 3,450 pets with their owners. Facebook helps Pet Posse quickly get the news out. With a success rate of over 90%, Pet Posse would like to acknowledge the hundreds of people who faithfully, do their part to assist, and to the many people who follow them and keep their watchful eyes out for Fluffy or Fido.
“Port Angeles Pet Posse is so honored to have been selected for the 2020 Community First Saturdays Campaign. The stores really know how to give back to their community!
As with everyone else, 2020 has hit us hard: no fundraisers to help with expenses, and minimal donations. This donation from your local Lumber Traders has helped us continue to serve you.”
How can you help Pet Posse stay a vital part of your community? You may make monetary donations to any Sound Community Bank or First Federal Bank. You can also donate directly through the link at the top of this section or mail your donation. Port Angeles Pet Posse is also on Amazon Smile, so remember us when you do your holiday shopping to do so through the Amazon Smile portal and pick Pet Posse as your chosen charity.
The Port Angeles Pet Posse wants you to make the 2020 Holidays better by, “Spreading smiles under our masks. Stay safe and spread the love this season!”
Green Alliance for Veteran Education – Helping veterans and their families achieve education and empowerment through community resources
The Green Alliance for Veteran Education (G.A.V.E.) was organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes and is staffed 100% by volunteers. All donations go directly to assisting veterans and their families.
All activities of G.A.V.E. are carried out for the benefit of military veterans who have faithfully served their country and may now be struggling with employment issues, low or no income, and even homelessness. Some may be suffering from traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and or may just feel alone and frustrated in the civilian world.
By providing up-to-date resource information, claim support, therapeutic and education opportunities to veterans and their dependents, G.A.V.E. is instrumental in facilitating the veterans’ successful reintegration back into civilian life.
G.A.V.E. is currently involved in multiple projects, two of which are the Northwest Veterans Resource Center, in Port Angeles, Washington, and the Robin Hill Victory Garden, located in Clallam County.
Feiro Marine Life Center
Click HERE to donate now to the Feiro Marine Life Center
315 N. Lincoln St.
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Feiro Marine Life Center contributes to a strong community by providing local marine and watershed learning experiences, inspiring us all to act on behalf of our environment.
COVID has turned Feiro Marine Life Center’s programs upside down this year. During a normal year, we would see about 22,000 to 24,000 people in exhibits and programs, not only local youth and families but also visitors from across the US and other countries.
Feiro specializes in in-person learning experiences including being able to see, touch, and smell our local marine life.
Feiro was thankful to have the support of the community, including our stores to pivot to digital and hybrid programs by creating hands-on science kits for kids in summer camp and at school. Feiro was also able to open mid-July through mid-November weekends for visits with reservations. Additional support is needing to keep caring for living animals and reaching local students with learning opportunities that engage them in hands-on science.
Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue – Rescue, rehabilitate and release native birds in need
Click HERE to donate now to the DBWBR or adopt a bird HERE
PO Box 861
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 379-0802
Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue (DBWBR) is directed by Cynthia Daily, a Wildlife Rehabilitator, state and federally licensed for all types of birds. Cynthia has been a rehabilitator for over 30 years, and today, after decades of work she has built a facility that can house a hundred birds including 30 outdoor enclosures.
DBWBR can take in and release hundreds of wild birds each year, ranging from the tiniest hummingbirds to native songbirds, crows, ravens, all types of seabirds and waterfowl, to owls and large raptors such as bald eagles and hawks.
The facility and the work done is funded by grants and generous donations from our community.
In 2020 running a non-profit rehabilitation service for wild birds presented big challenges for Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue (DBWBR). It was worrisome how funds would be raised to care for birds. Volunteers had to be sent home. Education ambassadors weren’t getting out into schools. All events have to be canceled.
But as founder Cindy Daily will tell you, it was the greatest year for gifts, donations of money, food, paper products, medicine, and in-kind services.
During the Washington Big Give campaign in May we received over $6,000.00 to help with expenses. People brought things to Pet Town and Wild Birds Unlimited to keep us in everyday items. Checks from people in Port Townsend, Sequim, and Port Angeles poured in. There were those of you who had campaigns of your own on Facebook to help with funds.
We received a “big check” from all the good people at Lumber Traders Inc. All of which allowed us to continue our mission– To raise, rehabilitate and release back to their natural habitat birds which were sick, orphaned, or injured with the skills necessary to survive and to educate, engage and inspire our community about wild birds and wild bird issues.
If you would like to support DBWBR and their mission, use the links above .
The Answer For Youth – Uplifting the Homeless in Port Angeles
Click HERE to donate now to TAFY
826 East First Street
Port Angeles, WA 98362
(360) 670-4363
The Answer for Youth (TAFY) is a barrier-free nonprofit 501C3 privately funded organization that has provided services for over 10 years at no cost to the city for the homeless and at-risk in Port Angeles. TAFY embraces youth and young families up to age 35, nutritionally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally throughout our community which is our printed mission statement.
TAFY provides a loving and caring environment that allows all to feel safe and protected. Volunteers are trained to make all feel welcomed. A small food bank provides quality food in a healthy atmosphere. A free clothes closet is available along with blankets, tents, and other products necessary for the area homeless to help survive on their own.
Connections to appropriate agencies are expedited to ensure prompt interventions for the youth when needed. Life skills classes are available and cover nutrition, baby care, exercise, First Aid, CPR, food handler cards, anger management, and values.
The board comes together to promote holiday dinners and celebrations throughout the year in partnership with various churches and agencies.
Supporters can also offer assistance beyond a monetary donation by providing needed products found in the list HERE.
Donations can be delivered to the TAFY center during thier open hours M, W, F from 3-7pm and Saturday from 4-7pm @ 826 East First Street, Port Angeles, WA or Call (360) 670-4363. For assistance with off site pick up and large items please call (360) 670-4363.
Operation Uplift – Cancer Support Group
Click HERE to donate now to Operation Uplift
PO Box 547
Port Angeles, WA 98362
(360) 457-5141
Operation Uplift encourages people to make informed decisions and to participate in their own health care. Their role is to support survivors in the decisions they make. Operation Uplift volunteers are there to support, encourage, and provide one-to-one contact which is so important to one’s recovery.
Operation Uplift’s partnerships with the YMCA, Olympic Medical Center, and other area organizations allow services and assistance to be full circle and encompass many different aspects of recovery for those just receiving a diagnosis, to patients undergoing treatment and aftercare.
If you would like to offer support to Operation Uplift, please use the links above.
For over 125 years, more than one million members of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) have dedicated themselves to historical preservation, promotion of education, and encouragement of patriotic endeavor. These goals are as relevant in today’s society as they were when the organization was founded in 1890.
Most of DAR’s volunteer work is accomplished by the grassroots efforts of chapters on the local level, which focus on the mission areas of DAR by encouraging members to become involved in these initiatives in their local communities. Michael Trebert Chapter NSDAR embraces Sequim, Port Angeles, and Forks communities.
Historic Preservation
DAR members participate in an array of projects to help preserve our cultural heritage.
Education
DAR members are passionate about educating the youth of America and contributing to schools and student programs in a variety of ways.
Patriotism
DAR Members’ love of country is evident in the multitude of patriotic endeavors they pursue.
Due to the CORONA-19 virus, we have had to resort to ZOOM Chapter meetings as well as Board meetings.
Even with Corona Restrictions DAR has benefitted from email, radio, and the local newspaper communications to stay in touch with one another and the communities as is evidenced in the accomplishments for 2020:
- Assisting the American Legion place flags at Veteran’s graves on Memorial Day
- Headstone Cleaning at Sequim View Cemetery
- The first Children’s George Washington Educational event at the George Washington Inn
- The donation of sports balls for military service members
- Collecting travel hygiene items for women at Sarge’s Place in Forks
- Collecting donations for Toys For Tots
- Veteran’s Day Ceremony participation at Pioneer Memorial Park
- Upcoming “Wreaths Across America” event (December 19, 9AM at Sequim View Cemetery)
Along with Wreaths Across America, Michael Trebert Chapter of DAR is collecting new and/or gently used books for the Little FREE Library that will eventually be placed at the new Dungeness Nature Center. Themes requested for the donated books is nature and the natural world around us, geared toward infants up to 6th grade level.
To donate a Little FREE Library books donation are:
Mary Van Dyke
Conservation Chairperson
541-247-2508
[email protected]
Friends of Forks Animals, a non-profit organization, has been in existence for over 30 years. Their mission encompasses the entire West End of Clallam County as well as parts of Jefferson County.
Friends of Forks Animals purpose is to promote the spaying and neutering of pets in order to provide a better life for them. We also offer emergency veterinarian funds and, in some cases, pet food. We do not offer adoption services.
Other than operating expenses, such as postage and newspaper ads, all funds donated to FOFA go to animal welfare. We sponsor low-income assistance for neutering and spaying and, as mentioned above, emergency vet assistance.
A number of our members participate in rescuing lost or straying pets and in removing pets, with the owner’s agreement, from abusive situations. Those animals are then taken to other animal welfare agencies in the area who care for them and find placements.
