As you may have read in the Dec. 27 Port Orchard Independent, members of the Port Orchard Rotary Club and Soroptimist International of Port Orchard (SIPO) completed their 18th annual “Port Orchard Cares” Christmas event at the South Kitsap Fire and Rescue District 7’s fire station on Tremont Dec. 21.
Gifts and food were distributed to families and individual senior citizens that were “adopted” from South Kitsap Helpline, and from the military. Activities for the project began on Nov. 23 and continued on Dec. 7 at local grocery stores where the food collection took place. Rotary and SIPO members purchased gifts for the seniors and for children of the families.
The food was stored on shelving in the basement of the fire station, and the gifts securely held until the “wrapping party” on Dec. 21 at the fire station, when folks received their food and gifts.
We wish to thank all members of the community who shared so selflessly to help others. You wowed us with your generosity! Special thanks goes to Safeway, QFC, the two Albertson’s stores, and Saars’s Market Place. The managers of these stores have never hesitated to grant permission for the food collection effort and we appreciate their support and cooperation in contributing to the mission.
We also extend special thanks to long-time supporter Scott McClendon who supplies shelving for food storage; to Mike Wilson and Grey Chevrolet for providing a large van to transport food from the stores to the fire station; to Southard, Beckham, Atwater and Berry CPA’s for gift security; to SKFR Fire Chief Wayne Senter and all of the fire and emergency crew who permitted use of the basement for food storage, and for the conference room to wrap gifts; to our friends and family members who helped with all of the work, and last but by no means least, to all of the wonderful people of the community who contributed so generously to the effort.
Port Orchard abounds with people who truly do care — and we are proud and thankful to be a part of such a giving community.
Port Orchard Rotary Club
Soroptimist International of Port Orchard
