Introducing PPR's Board of Directors

Nancy McAllister

Nancy has moved into the Chairperson’s seat and picked up the leadership baton from Pastor Dawna Svaren. Nancy is a Pacific County South District Court Judge, maintains a part time family and criminal law practice, and is active in Rotary, Wellspring, AAUW, Rebuilding Together, South Pacific Humane Society, and Quilt Guild. She is passionate about our community, loves volunteering, and strives to make our community a better place for everyone. On the home front, she has two grown children and three grandchildren who are her greatest joy. PPR is thrilled to have Nancy in the leadership role.

Mitzi Pothier

Mitzi has been the PPR Volunteer Coordinator since 2013. As volunteer coordinator, she enjoys recruiting and training dozens of volunteers for Project Community Connect. She believes PPR is a wonderful organization and looks forward to being able to help her community care for our vulnerable residents. PPR is grateful for ,Mitzi's dedication and hard work that is a foundation for Project Community Connect's success.

Rose Wallace

Rose has been active with PPR since 2018, starting as a volunteer for the Overnight Winter Lodging program. Last year, she became our treasurer and continues in that position this year. She volunteers because she loves and cares about her neighbors. PPR is very appreciative of the hard work Rose does to keep PPR's finances in order.

Covid Brings Changes to Laundry Love

Masking Required

Currently and into the future, face masks are required to participate in Laundry Love. PPR, Laundry Love, and our laundromat partners are in compliance with the governor's face mask order.

Free Laundry

Laundry Love continues to provide free laundry service on Wednesdays at the Long Beach Laundromat and the Seaview Laundromat. Families are provided with quarters for two loads of laundry, laundry soap, and dryer sheets. Our laundromat partners provide free dryers.

Thank You!

Laundry Love could not exist without support from Seaview Laundromat and Long Beach Laundromat. PPR truly appreciates their cooperation and support. By working together, we are bringing compassion into action.

Pastor Dawna Says Goodbye

Dear PPR Friends,

The moment (former board member) Dave Hansen told me to meet him at St. Mary’s Church for a Peninsula Poverty Response (PPR) meeting became a game changer for me. But then honestly, who wouldn’t be drawn to a grassroots volunteer organization whose work is to “reduce the consequences related to poverty through advocacy, awareness and action?" These past nearly four years have taught me so much about my own ability to help make a difference, to become more aware of the consequences of systemic poverty, and to think outside of the box as PPR moved forward leading the community in such honorable work.

For the past two years, I have been privileged to work with an amazing team of board members: Elly, Karen, Mitzi, Bill, Nancy, Nichole, Vinessa, Rose, Dick, Dee, and Cecelia. Such a creative, passionate group of advocates for people on the Peninsula! They encouraged me toward greater creativity, helped stretch me to think more outside the box, (and in fact make the box bigger), and were willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with me as we worked, explored, and dreamed together. It has been a sincere honor to be your chair these past years.

In about a week, I officially retire from my pastoral call at Ocean Park Lutheran Church. I will be moving away from the Peninsula, but please know that my experiences and the people I have met over the years will long be in my heart. You have blessed me beyond measure, and it has been a real joy to be a part of this remarkable organization.

God’s blessings as you continue this incredible and valuable work of lifting up all of our community neighbors.

Pastor Dawna Svaren

Summer 2020