by MATTHEW NASH

Plenty of supporters turned out for My Choices’ fifth annual dinner fundraiser on Thursday, Sept. 22.

The pro-life, faith-based and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization saw more than 240 people, including representatives from 20 churches in Sequim and Port Angeles, attend the event for dinner, music and testimonials.

River Sussman, executive director for the facility, said fundraising totals weren’t available but the event accounts for nearly 20 percent of its annual budget.

My Choices was founded in 1985 as the Crisis Pregnancy Center of Clallam County and recently changed its name from CareNet. It has clinics in Sequim and Port Angeles.

John Alger, board chairman, said about 76 percent of funding goes to client services but more than that probably goes back into services.

Tyler Conkle, board treasurer, said the agency has done well being in the black for all of 2011 but ran in the red for 10 months in 2009, leaving reserves low.

Sussman said staff continue to pursue the agency’s becoming one of the first medically accredited crisis pregnancy centers in Washington. The process is delayed until the Port Angeles facility is brought to certain standards, mostly involving ADA compliance.

Staff looked into other facilities but all require a remodel toward the accreditation worth about $20,000, Sussman said.

Sequim’s site is up to accreditation standards. It is seeking a sonogram for the facility to accompany Port Angeles’ machine.

“When a sonogram comes into Sequim, we, no he (God) will impact even more,” Alger said.

Last year 1,136 clients, some of those repeat clients, visited the sites.

My Choices in Sequim, 640 N. Sequim Ave., is open 1-4 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and can be reached at 681-8725.

My Choices in Port Angeles, 535 E. Eighth St., is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and can be reached at 452-3309.

Visit www.mychoicesofcc.org for more information or e-mail admin@mychoicesofcc.org.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com,