Will you become a Boilermaker in support of Jefferson County youth?

Would you like to have a tangible impact on opportunities for youth in Jefferson County? If so, please consider becoming a Boilermaker.

A Boilermaker is anyone who donates at least $365 in any twelve month period – equivalent to a dollar a day – to The Boiler Room, a public charity that supports the expression and activities of youth as part of our larger community, in a drug, tobacco, and alcohol-free environment. So far, twelve individuals have become 2009 Boilermakers. We need another dozen to meet our expenses through the end of the year. Our eventual goal: to find a hundred individuals willing to make a difference for youth, providing year to year financial stability.

The economic downturn has caused individual donations to drop just as community needs have risen. With assistance from the city, state, and federal governments, and grants from private foundations, United Good Neighbors, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, we are expanding services to meet the needs.

We are now preparing a strategic plan, and working with schools, businesses, and other nonprofits to expand and improve the quality of our programs in music, the arts, and public affairs. We also want to expand our social services position to half time in order to more effectively address needs.

The grants from government and private sources indicate recognition of our track record and our plans. But in order to achieve financial sustainability we need to boost the third leg: individual contributions.

That is where Boilermakers can make a world of a difference. Many of our government grants require matching contributions. We need to raise $5,000 apiece for the two Americorps positions by December 31. That is a great deal at a four-to-one federal match. We also need to raise $2,000 as a match for the social services grant from the state.  In addition, each youth internship costs $400/month.

We also have overhead expenses. These are the hardest funds to raise, despite their necessity. The monthly interest on our mortgage is $1,146. Utilities (electricity, heat, water, garbage, phone, internet) cost $750/month, insurance $365/month, property tax $1,500 twice yearly.

Boilermakers will be recognized in our annual report, in the Boiler Room, and in an annual end-of-the-year party. Donations are tax-deductible. They may be made by credit card or PayPal online, or by mailing a check to The Boiler Room, PO Box 1659, Port Townsend WA 98368. Please include your email address.

Help keep our doors open: Paypal Access