PORT ORCHARD — The Port Orchard Eagles stepped up this Christmas holiday season to provide financial help for South Kitsap Helpline: $3,500 worth of assistance.

The money was raised by the organization throughout the year so Helpline could purchase extra holiday food and new toys for local children.

“They are an amazing group of folks, said Jennifer Hardison, executive director of the agency. “We don’t know what we’d do without them.”

The Eagles also helped collect toys from local businesses for South Kitsap Helpline’s Giving Tree program, which helps provide more than 1,000 local children up to age 16 with new toys and gifts through the agency’s food bank. The Eagles members also served as elves at the event in which toys were distributed to needy families.

South Kitsap Helpline welcomes any donation to help it pay for assistance it gives to area residents during the holiday season. A donation can be made by mail to South Kitsap Helpline, 1012 Mitchell Ave., Port Orchard, WA 98366 or by calling 360-876-4089.