Since 1946 the CWCC has been all about helping local charities thrive; In this year of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, local needs are greater than ever
The Camas-Washougal Community Chest (CWCC) launched its annual fundraising drive Oct. 1 with a goal of raising $125,000 for 2022 grants.
In a continuing partnership with CWCC, the Camas–Washougal Rotary Foundation will provide an additional $12,000 in grant funding. These monies are used to fund grants to local nonprofit organizations that serve Camas and Washougal residents in need, at-risk youth programs, address natural resource conservation, foster education and strive to enhance diversity, equity and inclusivity in Camas and Washougal.
Since 1946 the CWCC has been all about helping local charities thrive. In this year of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, local needs are greater than ever. The CWCC and CWRF just wrapped up a successful 2021 campaign which saw them fund 28 grants for a total of $127,671.
Programs and projects funded in 2021 included support of the local food bank run by Inter-Faith Treasure House, funding for family support programs run by Children’s Home Society of Washington, funding a portion of Family Promise’s Cares program to help homeless and disadvantaged youth maintain their grade level, funding habitat improvements in the Gibbons Creek watershed conducted by the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership and funding for food and food service supplies for the local Meals on Wheels People program.
Other grants provided funding for cancer treatment costs and living expenses not covered by insurance, funding for several local reading programs, funding pregnancy supplies for the local pregnancy clinic and for temporarily housing at-risk youth in a secure facility.
Major support for the 2021 fundraising campaign came from Georgia Pacific employees and the Georgia Pacific Foundation. Other major donors in 2021 included HP employees and the HP Corporation, Camas School District employees, City of Camas employees, Port of Camas-Washougal employees, PLEXSYS, Watercare Industrial Services and Your Party Center. The following foundations provided major support: Windermere Foundation, Gergerson Family Fund. Norman C. Danielson Charitable Fund, the Tidland Christian Development Fund, L. R. Mitchner Philanthropic Fund and the Hinds Charitable Fund.
To reach its $125,000 goal for the 2022 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.
CWCC Past President Joelle Scheldorf said, “giving to the Community Chest is an easy and efficient way to help people in need in our hometown.”
Local nonprofit organizations planning to apply for a grant can download the 2022 application form from CWCC’s website after Oct. 15, 2021. Applications for 2022 grants are due by no later than Dec. 15, 2021. Applicants will be informed during March 2022 as to whether their project or program is funded and at what level. Grant payments are made quarterly beginning with initial payments in March 2022.
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, crisis and emergency services diversity, equity and inclusivity.
2021 Grant Program Summary
• Total number of grants awarded – 28
• Total value of grants awarded – $127,671
• Estimated number of individual services funded by grants – more than 19,500 Community
Programs and Projects Funded in 2021
• Inter-Faith Treasure House Helps pay utilities (electricity, water, sewer, garbage and natural gas) so IFTH can continue to operate the east county food bank.
• Children’s Home Society – East County Family Resource Center Helps fund staff at Resource Center. Helps fund parent education groups, youth support groups, emergency basic assistance, behavioral health services and health care services.
• Washougal School District – Principal’s Checkbook Helps Washougal school principals provide for basic student needs to give low income or homeless students equal opportunities at school. Funds showing Hearts of Glass film and hosting panel discussion on employing persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Janus Youth Programs Provides funding for outreach efforts and overnight facility stays for Camas and Washougal runaway youth at risk for abuse and neglect. Re-introduces kids to safe housing.
• Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership Provides classroom lessons and outdoor applied learning programs for youth, including habitat enhancement projects adjacent to Gibbons Creek in the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Campen Creek in Mable Kerr Park.
• Meals on Wheels People Purchases food and food service supplies for Camas and Washougal Meals on Wheels People program.
Friends and Foundation of the Camas Library Supports the Camas Library’s summer reading program for kids and teens.
• Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation – Washougal Branch Supports the Washougal Community Library’s summer reading program for kids and adults.
• Friends of the Columbia Gorge Helps fund the Explore the Gorge classroom lessons and outdoor environmental education program for sixth graders in Jemtegaard and Canyon Creek Middle schools in Washougal School District.
• REACH Community Development Helps buy groceries, baby essentials, cleaning supplies, hygiene products and similar basic household needs. Helps with rent and utility assistance. Buys school supplies and holiday food baskets. Serves Gateway Gardens and Towne Square communities in Washougal.
• 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 – grant will buy supplies for take home activity bags and tokens. Helps buy health and safety supplies for staff, vendors and customers, including rental of portable restroom.
• Opera Quest Northwest Helps pay for creating a series of 5- to 10-minute videos focused on Opera Voices, Where do Opera Stories Come From? and How Opera Reflects Culture. Also pays for producing supporting materials for teachers. Provides videos and supporting materials to local schools at no cost. Aimed at students grades 3 through 5.
• Pathways Clinic helps buy ultrasound supplies, pregnancy test kits and COVID – 19 PPE and supplies.
• Camas-Washougal Historical Society helps connect the recently completed The Gathering Place at Washuxwal, an open air pavilion, to the Two Rivers Heritage Museum. Helps with maintenance and repair costs at the museum complex.
• General Federation of Women’s Clubs purchases books to be distributed to all children registered in Pre-K programs within the Camas and Washougal School Districts programs. EOCF (HeadStart), Ready, Set, Kindergarten, Washougal and Camas School District Developmental and ECEAP Childcare/Preschool. The books are distributed multiple times throughout the year.
• Journey Theater Arts Group Helps cover five student scholarships and teacher salaries for 16 hours of performance arts education and training spread over eight weeks.
• TreeSong Nature Awareness and Retreat Center Helps fund a circle garden, including preparing the site, installing the infrastructure and planting native plants. The circle garden, including a peace pole and featuring local art will offer education, knowledge, and respite to children and adults attending the retreat center.
• Family Promise of Clark County Helps cover a portion of the cost of the FP Cares academic support services program. Helps homeless, disadvantaged youth avoid the virtual learning slide and catch-up and/or maintain grade level.
• Police Activities League of Vancouver Buys books and pays for police staff time to present five literacy events for 2nd and 3rd graders in the Camas and Washougal School Districts.
• ReFuel Washougal Helps buy a microwave, ice machine and food processor to support its homeless meal programs at Washougal Senior Center. Buys serving supplies and meals-to-go supplies and food for an Emergency Pantry.
• Dance Evolution Helps pay for free dance lessons for toddlers 0 to 5 and young girls ages 9 to 15. Future plans call for adding free programs for LGBTQ youth.
• Kiwanis Camp Wa-Ri-Ki Helps fund outdoor education activities that offer physical challenges, problem-solving abilities and human interactions all in a fun and exciting camp community.
• Partners with Camas Parks and Recreation – Skatepark Pays for a portion of the cost to rehabilitate the existing skatepark.
• St. Anne’s Episcopal Church Helps buy and install a washer and dryer to support the homeless who use St. Anne’s Safe Stay overnight parking lot camping program.
• Pink Lemonade Project Helps fund Pink Practicalities, a financial aid and assistance program. Covers costs that health insurance doesn’t, such as groceries, transportation services, lymphedema sleeves, lost wages, rent/mortgage payments, etc.
• Lunchmoney Indoor Skatepark Helps fund scholarships for foster kids, kids on public assistance and or families that cannot afford skate time to use an indoor skatepark offering supervision and mentoring.
• West Columbia Gorge Humane Society Helps fund programs and services designed to keep pets and people together during times of hardship, crises or emergency; pet food pantry, temporary pet boarding, impound/owner surrender fee relief and emergency veterinary care.
• Boy Scouts of America – Camas and Washougal Troops Helps fund Campership Awards so that families in need can send their scouts to summer camp.
