POULSBO — Shannon Miller has been a single mother raising her two children alone for the past six years.

The road for her family isn’t as tough as it once was, but as she looks back on the hard times she is thankful and gives when she can.

“I remember the first time I went to ShareNet, I cried on my way home,” she said. “They’ve been helping us out since my kids were babies. They’ve been a Godsend to me and my children. It’s been something that’s helped me family get through.”

Miller, even now with full-time employment, receives food stamps. Living paycheck to paycheck, she said she’s tried to save money, but it’s tough. Of the food boxes her children take home through the food program at Gordon Elementary School, she said it’s like Christmas.

“We are very, very grateful for all the help they continue to give us,” she said. Miller said it makes her family’s life a little easier to breathe and less worrisome, especially this time of year.

One of the sources of funding for the help Miller and others receive is the Poulsbo Lions Raab Foundation Bellringer Fund, which was established in 1944 to help residents who’ve hit a rough patch get through the holiday season.

Donations to the Poulsbo Lions Raab Foundation Bellringer Fund help neighbors with medical co-pays, gas vouchers, emergency housing, eviction prevention and utility assistance.

Organizers of the fund hope to raise at least $40,000 this year. All donations are tax-deductible. The funds are administered by North Kitsap Fishline, St. Vincent de Paul, and ShareNet.

The fund helps at least 300 families a year. In addition, the fund supplies Christmas food baskets to 100 local families.

The donation total was $9,820 as of Dec. 16. Here’s how you can help:

• Visit the North Kitsap Herald office, 19351 8th Ave. NE, Suite 106, Poulsbo.
• Mail to P.O. Box 278, Poulsbo, WA. 98370.
• Donate by PayPal.

Miller said all donations — no matter the amount — collectively make a big difference in the community.

“It’s hard, and a lot of people have it hard anyway,” she said. “But even I have pocket change we donate. Anything helps, even if it’s a couple pennies.

“If you see others in need try to help them. If more people would open their hearts and work together as a team, even if it’s just a couple bucks or a hug or a ‘hi’ to make something feel acknowledged.

“It doesn’t take much to help someone else. It’s just kindness to make them feel like human beings.”

Here’s a list of donors to the Poulsbo Lions Raab Foundation Bellringer Fund so far:

• Ed and Lori Stern: $500, in memory of Dale Rudolph.
• Herbert and Elda Armstrong: $100, in memory of family.
• Darryl and Carole Milton: $500, in memory of Julie Pietz.
• James Schoettler: $100.
• Jan Seifert: 200, in memory of Mom and Dad, remembering their love of family and friends. Merry Christmas, everyone.
• Jerry Jurgens: $200, in memory of Judith Jurgens.
• Poulsbo Lions Club: $1,000, in memory of those past Lions who have served the community over the past 74 years.
• Dorothy M. Ridgeway: $100, in memory of Lions Jim Stark and Dick Risley.
• David Risley: $125.
• Jay and Sandi Dahlquist: $750, in memory of Sonda Tesch and Sandy Habecker, two wonderful friends. We miss you much.
• Ken and Marcie Kline: $250.
• LeAnn Mong: $100, in loving memory of Doug Mong.
• Ed Habecker: $300, in memory of Sandy.
• James McDougall and Katherine Howard: $100.
• Kinzie and Miller Tolman: $20.
• Stephen and Kristine Growden: $100, in memory of Jim and Elaine Turner.
• Frank and Sharon Schmid: $50, in fond memory of Frank and Mabel Raab.
• Richard and Bonny Boyde: $50.
• Stockton and Janice Forrest: $200.
• Member of the Verksted Gallery: $200, in memory of Mary Heffner.
• Anonymous: $250, in memory of The Boys.
• Laurie and Jeffrey Tolman: $250.
• Judith Fuhrer: $100, in loving memory of Jim and Louise Shields.
• Jan Lofall: $100, in loving memory of Glen and Jim.
• Anonymous: $100.
• Anonymous: $100.
• Anonymous: $50.
• Mary and Al Carter: $50.
• Anonymous: $50.
• Brenda Sutton Houser and William Houser: $100.
• Norma MacArthur: $25.
• Rebecca Barringer: $100.
• Donna Svarthulme Magne: $50.