With the stay home order that curtailed our travels over the past weeks and closed the doors to many of our tourism-based businesses, our local owners on the Olympic Peninsula have not been idle. They used this time to creatively and generously give back to our community. We would like to take a moment to shine a light on a few of them - there are many more than we can include here - and share with you what they've been doing to help make a positive difference to keep everyone healthy.
 
We think of them as our local, hometown heroes.
 
When we're able to open our doors to visitors in the coming weeks, we will look forward to inviting you to return to the Olympic Peninsula and meet some of these outstanding people. This is a way for you to get to know some of the folks that make this such a great place.

Marsha Massey, Executive Director
Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau

(From top left) Mask-Sewing Hero, Libby Ballard, Sound Community Bank | Food-Donation Hero, The Pizza Factory, Port Townsend | Deep-Cleaning Hero, Olena Palenga, Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Grocery Hero, Mark Teater, Country Aire Natural Foods | Mask-Sewing Hero, Sequim Face Mask Challenge 
MAKING HAND SANITIZERS
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Hand sanitizer | Port Angeles Distilling Co.

Ryan Malane is one of the owners of Black Ball Ferry Line which normally operates the M.V. Coho between Port Angeles and Victoria, BC (operations temporarily suspended). He and his wife Cynthia also own Port Angeles Distilling Co. When Cynthia received a notice from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) saying that distillers could produce hand sanitizers for frontline workers and heard there was a shortage in their hometown, she tracked down the recipe from the World Health Organization (WHO) being used around the world and went to work. Sourcing ingredients locally, she began making "gallons and gallons," as Ryan quipped. They contacted dozens of businesses in Clallam County, purchasing around 4,000 small bottles. The graphic designer for Black Ball offered to create a label and they were set. They bottled, labeled and donated around 50 gallons of hand sanitizers to non-profits and local governments, nearly single-handedly filling the gaping need in the county, channeling their talents and financial resources to contribute to local community well-being.
 
Hardware Distillery in Hoodsport, along the Hood Canal, and Admiralty Distillers in Port Townsend, also made and distributed hand sanitizers when there was a significant need on the peninsula.
PROVIDING FOOD FOR THOSE IN NEED
Preparing food for donation | Nourish Sequim

Tanya and Dave Rose, co-owners of Nourish Sequim, began cooking fresh, healthy meals daily and having them delivered to the local hospital, Olympic Medical Center, for the staff of healthcare workers, first-responders and long-term care workers. These people have been fighting the toughest battle for us all, putting themselves at risk to help our community. "Let's send them a meal-a 'culinary hug' to say we care," said Tanya Rose. To help pay for the costs, they created a Go Fund Me page to support their efforts. The giving has been so generous that, based on feedback from OMC staff and donors, Nourish expanded the recipients of meals to include Fire Districts 2 and 3, Olympic Ambulance, and nursing homes. They raised nearly $22,000 and, "As long as there has been money coming in, we've kept cooking," said Tanya.
Delivering to Jefferson Healthcare Express Care
The Pizza Factory, Port Townsend

Shannon Kennedy and her team at the Pizza Factory in downtown Port Townsend, have been offering a #GoodDeedFriday Program since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. They've been giving back to the community every Friday to make sure people know they are appreciated and supported now more than ever. They have provided delivery of pizzas to Jefferson Healthcare staff, Safeway and QFC employees, teachers in the school district, staff for the fire and police departments, local hardware store employees and others.  
Preparing for meal donations | Ajax Cafe

Kristan McCary, co-owner of the Ajax Cafe in Port Hadlock, has been providing free dinners to seniors and families in need three days a week. The service began when they had to close the restaurant and at the same time, the local senior community center closed. When they started offering the free meal service, many loyal customers began donating funds to assist with the cost of the meals. The owners that work the curbside delivery donate their gratuities to help pay for the meals. They've served over 500 meals and will continue to do so until the stay home order concludes and perhaps beyond.
THE GREAT FACE MASK CHALLENGE
Click to view the Sequim Face Mask Challenge Video on YouTube

Jim Stoffer and Monica Dixon have headed up the Sequim Facebook Face Masks Challenge, inviting and inspiring sewers in the Sequim area to make face masks to support and protect frontline and healthcare workers as well as local charities. Jim is a tireless community volunteer, is the president of the Sequim Chamber of Commerce and a volunteer for the Lavender Weekend.
 
Carol Turner is a docent volunteer at the Olympic Coast Discovery Center in Port Angeles. She and her friends are making masks for frontline and healthcare workers. Check out the Facebook group HERE.   
PROVIDING SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS
The Tides Inn & Suites

When the Olympic Community Action Program (OlyCAP) realized the homeless in Port Townsend could no longer use the American Legion basement because it didn't meet the CDC's requirements for social distancing, they turned to the Tides Inn & Suites for help. In this location, people were able to be separated from one another and maintain safe physical distance plus they have their own bathroom and meals supplied throughout the day. OlyCap received a Washington COVID-19 Emergency Housing Grant to support this program.
The Old Alcohol Plant

The Old Alcohol Plant , a local hotel in Port Hadlock, is home to a non-profit organization called Bayside Housing. They use funds earned by the hotel to provide housing for the homeless. As the coronavirus pandemic intensified, Bayside Housing opened up 10 more hotel rooms to provide for the homeless, especially assisting veterans and seniors, however they offer assistance to those most in need. A grant from the Jefferson Community Foundation has provided additional financial assistance.
We salute these and the many other tireless workers and volunteers, not mentioned above, who are continually showering care on those in need in our communities. To each one, we offer a heartfelt thank you.
VIRTUAL EVENTS
With Washington's "Stay Home - Stay Healthy" order in place through May 31st, many of our events and activities on the Olympic Peninsula have been transformed into virtual opportunities. Join us for some virtual exploration.

The second Saturday in May is World Migratory Bird Day, when the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society traditionally hold its Clallam County Birdathon. With the COVID-19 restrictions to stay home, you are invited to participate from your home, backyard or neighborhood. Please count birds by yourself or with family members. Keep track of the species and numbers of birds you see, along with where you count and the miles/hours you travel. 

North Olympic Discovery Marathon and Run the Peninsula Race Series is available for you to run virtually any time from now through December 5, 2020. You can virtually run five races! LEARN MORE

This year the Brass Screw Confederacy is going virtual for the 2020 Steampunk Festival. The Ineluctable, Ultra-Telegraphic Virtual Brass Screw is coming to you for one day only, Saturday, June 13, for lectures, music, frivolity and fun! Join from wherever you are. LEARN MORE 

Finnriver Farm and Cidery "Incider Space" - weekly online events offering a platform for the arts and other cultural elements. To participate, there's a sliding scale monthly membership contribution. Examples of topics include yoga, a poetry potluck, growing herbs for health, book presentations, concerts, a book club and much more, each offering a surprising sense of togetherness. LEARN MORE
Many Olympic Peninsula events through July have been canceled or postponed. We'll keep you apprised of any changes as they arise, with updated information on our Events Calendar.
PUBLIC LANDS

Summer 2019

Governor Jay Inslee re-opened state lands for recreational day use May 5. This may vary from state to county to national parks. Washington State Parks will open for day use only, including boat ramps, and recreational hunting and fishing. Camping and other overnight accommodations remain closed. Please #RecreateResponsibly by following these important guidelines:

* Keep at least 6 feet of physical distance from other people
* Give a wide berth when you pass someone on the trail
* For bathroom breaks, BYOEverything - Assume public restrooms will be closed
* Stay local and go to parks near you
 
Before you go, be sure to check our website for the latest information about county, state and national parks and forests.
To inspire your daydreaming for your trip, check out the
Download or request your FREE copy  to be mailed 
directly to you.
With our state and others coming up with plans to lift restrictions for travel in a mindful, safe way, we look forward to welcoming you back to the Olympic Peninsula when it's safe for everyone. In the meantime, we hope you've been inspired here and have learned more about the people who make this place magical.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Olympic Peninsula later this year!
Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission | 360-452-8552 info@olympicpeninsula.org | OlympicPeninsula.org