While it did not meet its initial monetary goal, it’s clear that the Bellringer campaign funds will go on to help many in need through charity programs.
At the start of the holiday season, John MacDonald, president of the Raab Foundation and longtime member of the Poulsbo Lions Club, set a lofty goal of raising $30,000 during the Bellringer Campaign. As of Dec. 18, it appears that goal will not be met, but that doesn’t bother MacDonald.
“We’re at about $11,000 so far, the goal was $30,000, and you know I wasn’t gonna hold my breath, but I was sure hoping that we could hit the thirty. But every dollar that we raise, it’s going to go to a good cause, period, and we still have some monies in the pipeline that we know of that could get us closer,” he said.
MacDonald noted that he was pleasantly surprised at how successful the campaign has been despite everything that has gone on economically. COVID-19 has hit so many people hard financially.
“I was initially concerned that because of the current economic situation and the pandemic that, it would have a huge impact on this, and it’s turning out that we’re probably going to hit pretty close to what we did last year, and that was just under $20,000,” MacDonald said.
The funds will be handed out to selected charities of Fishline, ShareNet, Coffee Oasis and St. Vincent DePaul in either January or February, depending on how quickly arrangements can be made in the new year.
” I just want to add that this fundraising activity doesn’t end after the holiday season, and if people want to donate to the Bellringer Fund they can do it all year round,” MacDonald said.
Donations can be sent via mail to P.O. Box 1244 Poulsbo, WA, 98370.
Donations this week
Donna and Magne Svarthumle $100, In memory of family and friends; Ronald Easterday, $200; Anonymous $1,000; Denise Zaske-Sandra Schneider $100, In memory of Onoin; Barbra Stark $300, Honoring Lions everywhere; Linnea Olson $50; Jonathan and Jacquelyn Pavey $250;
Steve and Yolanda Swann $250; and Anonymous $400. Total for the week $2,650. Total so far: $8,900.
