To launch the United Good Neighbors 2012 Campaign, volunteers were both honored and put to work helping several nonprofits that benefit from the $240,000 fundraising campaign.

Linda Cooley, a longtime volunteer with Ecumenical Christian Helping Hands Organization (ECHHO), received UGN’s first annual “Good Neighbor” award at a morning kickoff event on Sept. 16 at UGN headquarters in Port Hadlock.

During the past five years, Cooley has served as volunteer driver, board member, volunteer office manager and volunteer executive director.

“This is a community of volunteers,” said Carla Caldwell, executive director of UGN, “and UGN wants to honor some of the exceptional people who work largely behind the scenes, making a difference in the lives of Jefferson County citizens on a daily basis. We look forward to continuing the ‘Good Neighbor’ award tradition every year.”

And Cooley exemplifies volunteerism.

“Linda has been a great stabilizing force in our organization in the past five years as well as the last year,” said ECHHO Executive Director Lori Oberlander.

After honoring Cooley and thanking volunteers, a number of volunteers went to work – at a Habitat for Humanity housing project, the OlyCAP Thrift Shoppe in Port Hadlock, the YMCA program in Port Townsend and Jumping Mouse, four of more than 30 nonprofits that will benefit from UGN’s campaign.

Caldwell made the rounds on Friday thanking everyone for volunteering for the day.

Adding up hours

U.S. Bank employees from throughout the Puget Sound area – including Port Townsend – spent the morning adding up volunteer hours instead of checks. And there were a lot to add.

Almost a dozen bank employees volunteered to paint houses being built by East Jefferson Habitat for Humanity on Eddy Street in Port Townsend.

Ann Caldwell, a regional manager for U.S. Bank, donned her overalls to help paint one house.

“I don’t look like a regional manager, do I?” she asked. But she was delighted to spend time outside painting, instead of inside in front of computer. “It was an easy choice,” she added.

U.S. Bank employees are given eight paid volunteer hours a year to use for whatever cause they chose.

“Helping a local community is really rewarding,” said employee Kelsey Dossa Lopez of Mount Vernon.

A number of bank volunteers said they volunteered more hours than the eight paid hours the bank gives them because they enjoy volunteering.

Kathy Gifford of Sequim said she and her husband have built houses in Mexico for the past 10 years. People there join in to build the homes.

“This is awesome,” Gifford said of being in Port Townsend and taking time to paint.

“I think it’s absolutely amazing,” agreed Denyse Early, who just landed a job with U.S Bank in Port Townsend. Early said she had to be on the job for 90 days in order to participate and she was eager to help. She completed her 90 days just in time.

Other bank employees came from Bellingham, Anacortes, Oak Harbor, Mount Vernon and Bremerton.

Volunteers who helped

U.S. Bank employees who volunteered for Habitat were Ann Caldwell, Rebecca Devers, Denyse Early, Georgia Gale, Katy Gifford, Marc Lawrence, Kelsey Dossa Lopez, Evelyn Sellers, Emma Johnson and John Smith.

Dale Robinson, Rob Twietmeyer and Tim Caldwell of Puget Sound Energy volunteered time at the OlyCAP Thrift Shoppe. Caldwell is the husband of UGN Executive Director Carla Caldwell.

At the YMCA office, artist Jesse Watson worked with Kim Hammers, VISTA volunteer Angie Wisniewski, and Stan and Sigrid Cummings of USANA Health Sciences.

Carla Jean Pugh, Bill James from the Port Townsend Rotary Club and UGN board member Debbie Reandeau all volunteered at Jumping Mouse.