Amidst all the joy, the holiday celebrations and happy stories, there can abide a fair amount of stress and worry for the many neighbors experiencing hard times. When money is tight, there is no room for turkeys or hams or gifts under the tree — and these traditions are some of the hardest to skip, especially when young children so look forward to this time of year.

That is the reason why Fishline begins planning for its holiday season months before, in the hopes of gathering holiday food and gifts for the kids in time for the rush ahead. This year, we shared with our community that we would need help so we could help. And this year, like each of the 49 years that came before, you responded. Quickly, unconditionally and enthusiastically, and within minutes of our first request, you began lining up at our donations door with your hatches filled with milk and eggs and turkey and celery. That back door didn’t see a quiet moment for a week.

Not only did we have enough for Thanksgiving, we had more than enough, and turkeys became part of many Christmas tables as well. At the same time, ornaments representing the “wish lists” of low-income children flew off of our community Christmas Child trees, each destined to be shopped for and loved like family. When the hardest part is making sure there are enough ornaments for all those who want to provide gifts, you know you have an amazing community.

Clients who could enjoy the holidays will tell you now that they could not have celebrated this time without you — but because of you, we could all share the beauty and love of the season.

On behalf of North Kitsap Fishline, and the more than 700 families helped through your generosity during the holidays, please accept our thanks. We look forward to working together to create an awesome 2017.

Mary Nader

Executive director

North Kitsap Fishline