PORT ORCHARD — For the fifth year, the Port Orchard Market will be offering a Senior Giving Tree for decoration. And for the fourth year, the business location will sponsor its own gingerbread house contest this holiday season.
The Senior Giving Tree is now up and ready to accept gifts for South Kitsap seniors 65 and older. These gifts will be distributed by South Kitsap Helpline with their senior food deliveries just prior to Christmas, said Coreen Haydock of the Port Orchard Bay Street Association.
Suggested gifts should be inexpensive small items such as coffee mugs with coffee, cocoa or tea, gourmet treats, lotions, socks, gloves, calendars, and gift cards to restaurants, cafes or bakeries.
“More than 130 seniors will receive food deliveries this year and having several small gifts for each of these seniors will be very welcome,” Haydock said.
Bring unwrapped gifts to Sue’s Fresh Juice Bar & Sandwich Shop or The Dock Bar & Eatery inside the Port Orchard Market at 715 Bay St. in downtown Port Orchard by noon on Friday, Dec. 18.
Gingerbread House contest
Families, groups, kids, teens and businesses are invited to create a gingerbread house for entry in the Port Orchard Market contest, Haydock said. There is no entry fee for the contest. Prizes for the winners will be awarded. The theme of the contest this year is “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” but Haydock said entrants don’t have to incorporate that theme in their creations. In past contests, entrants have created lighthouses, jalopy trucks, ranches, barns, the Sidney Hotel, and Santa’s sleighs pulled by reindeers.
Entries will be accepted at the market through Dec. 16. The gingerbread house display will be available for viewing through Christmas. An entry form with details can be found at www.pobsa.com or on the Port Orchard Market page on Facebook. Entry forms are also available at Port Orchard Market businesses.
Another reminder: Santa and his sleigh will be visiting the market on Saturday, Dec. 19, and Sunday, Dec. 20.
Downtown Dollars
Haydock said the Port Orchard Bay Street Association’s Downtown Dollars and Get Caught Shopping Challenge is underway.
Participating downtown retail stores, restaurants and bakeries will have Downtown Dollars for shoppers who spend at least $10. They can fill out their name and contact information on the back and drop it off for a chance to win $250 cash.
Downtown shoppers and diners will also have a chance to win bonus Downtown Dollars if they are “caught” shopping by the downtown Port Orchard Elf through Dec. 22. When you’re caught shopping, Haydock said, the elf will reward you with some bonus dollars and a chance to win $250 in a drawing.
