The Puget Sound Energy Foundation presented Centrum with a grant of $5,000 in support of Centrum’s Jazz workshops and performances at an 11 am ceremony on Friday, Aug. 29 at Fort Worden State Park.

“This generous gift has certainly come at an appropriate time,” said Centrum’s Executive Director Thatcher Bailey, saying that in 2008 Jazz Port Townsend had more participants than at any other time in the organization’s history. “How wonderful for our students, performers and faculty to be acknowledged in this way,” Bailey said.

Bailey said that under the artistic direction of John Clayton, the jazz program includes year-round learning and performance opportunities for players and audiences from around the region and country.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to assist in the valuable work that Centrum is doing,” said Phil Bussey, senior vice president of Corporate Affairs for PSE and chairman of the Puget Sound Energy Foundation.

“So many residents of the Olympic Peninsula have benefited from Centrum’s programs over the past 35 years—they are indeed an organization that deserves to be rewarded and recognized.”

To date in 2008, the Puget Sound Energy Foundation has awarded more than $189,000 in charitable grants to 34 regional organizations. The grants are awarded based on a competitive review process to qualifying 501(c) (3) charitable organizations in PSE’s 11-county Washington service and broader operations area.

“Generous donors like Puget Sound Energy have also made it possible for Centrum to provide nearly $24,000 in scholarship support to attract great young players to the jazz program,” Bailey added.

(In the photo: Phil Bussey presents $5,000 check to Thatcher Bailey and Centrum Board President Libby Reid.)