POULSBO — The Sons of Norway in Poulsbo donated $6,200 to ShareNet on Dec. 16. But that’s only part of the story.
The lodge has donated proceeds from its annual auction — as well as food and toys — to rhe Kingston-based food bank and thrift store since 1985. Average that $6,200 over 32 years — some years the amount was more, some years less — and that’s $192,200 since the first auction.
The lodge donates to ShareNet because Fishline gets significant support in Poulsbo, and because lodge members have ties to communities served by ShareNet. For example, lodge president Glen Robbins lives in Port Gamble, is a member of the North Kitsap School Board, and is the school board’s liaison to the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal Council and Suquamish Tribal Council. Port Gamble, Little Boston and part of the Suquamish reservation are within ShareNet’s service area, and the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe is a supporter of ShareNet’s Food 4 Kids program, which endures students at Wolfle Elementary School get the nutrition they need when they’re not in school.
“When we started this, ShareNet was operating behind Bayside Church,” said Doc Casper, who’s organized the auction since its inception. “They receive no corporate sponsorships. That’s why we started doing this for ShareNet.” Of the auction’s success, Casper said, “It only happens because of the people in this lodge.”
The latest auction took place on Dec. 10.
As lodge members helped Al Aicher and Tina McFee of ShareNet load food and toys into a ShareNet van, Casper noted,
“There but for the grace of God go I.” We are all one step away — one medical emergency, one unforeseen major expense — from being in need.
“Hopefully, I will never have to be in that food line,” he said.
If he does, though, ShareNet will be there to give him a hand up.
The Sons of Norway’s annual auction raised $6,200 for ShareNet. (Richard Walker/Kitsap News Group)
Tina McFee and Al Aicher of ShareNet pick up toys — and a check for $6,200 — from the Sons of Norway lodge in Poulsbo, Dec. 16. (Richard Walker/Kitsap News Group)
Sons of Norway lodge President Glen Robbins, with hand raised, calls Al Aicher and Tina McFee of ShareNet to join the photo Dec. 16 at the lodge. The lodge donated $6,200 and food and toys to ShareNet. (Richard Walker/Kitsap News Group)
