POULSBO — As folks headed to the malls for their post-Thanksgiving shopping, they also remembered to put the check in the mail for Bellringer.
Now through its second full week, the annual holiday drive for the 53-year-old community fund jumped from about $2,300 given to more than $4,400 in the bank this week.
The surge puts the fund within $26,000 of this year’s goal of $30,000. The Raab Foundation, administered by the Poulsbo Noon Lions, helps hundreds of North Kitsap residents throughout the year with a variety of one-time needs.
Tax deductible donations can be made to the Bellringer Fund at Kitsap Bank in Poulsbo, 19725 7th Avenue, and the North Kitsap Herald, 18887 State Highway 305, suite 700.
Donations can also be mailed to the Bellringer Fund, P.O. Box 1244, Poulsbo, WA 98370 or to the North Kitsap Herald, P.O. Box 278, Poulsbo, WA 98370.
Contributions of $250 or more receive a receipt for the donor’s records.
Families, individuals and organizations will be listed on the front page of the Herald every issue as donations are tallied.
Community members can also help the Bellringer fund by getting their vehicles washed at Mike’s Car Wash in Poulsbo Village. Now through Dec. 31, owner Mike Brooks will be donating a portion of all automatic car wash sales to the fund. Last year, a similar fund-raiser made $1,375 for Bellringer. For more information, call (360) 697-1144.
Once again, the North Kitsap Herald will also be collecting toys for the Fishline Food Bank’s Christmas Toy Shop. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays through Dec. 13. There is a particular need for items appropriate for ages 10-14.
The number to request help from Bellringer is (360) 697-6087.
Bellringer donations through Dec. 2:
• Anonymous $250
• Karl and Kelly Hadley $300
• Anonymous $100 In appreciation of the wonderful staff at Poulsbo Elementary
• Anonymous $100 In appreciation of the wonderful staff at Poulsbo Junior High
• Anonymous $250 Community is a larger family
• Anonymous $100 In memory of Shirley Peterson
• Anonymous $500
• $50 The Haupt family — Mark, Julianne, Bryan and Alex
• F.R. and Sharon Schmid $25 In memory of Frank Raab
• Anonymous $50
• $100 In memory of Cliff
• Emil and June Breiland $50
• Alton Suttell $50 In memory of Rich and Marion Suttell
• Mike and Marlene Hattrick $25 In memory of parents Margaret and Albert Brooks
• Jerry and Judy Jurgens $50
• Marion G. Hansen $50 In memory of loved ones
• Anonymous $50
Today’s total $2,100
Running total $4,456