The Neighbor Aid 2008 fundraising campaign of ShareNet, in partnership with Kingston Community News, is underway to provide assistance to people in need in our North End communities. Our core services are in our Food Bank and Thrift Store, with recent expansion into providing funds for emergency housing and utility assistance.

There is no one face or situation to ShareNet patrons; we assist children and the elderly, people facing temporary job loss or medical crisis, and people working full time who still must choose between paying for food, heat, or a prescription in any given month.

The 2008 Neighbor Aid campaign is especially critical due to economic factors affecting all of us. Increased utility and transportation costs and higher unemployment hit those already struggling especially hard. Our latest statistics show use of our Food Bank is up 77 percent over last year.

Contributing to Neighbor Aid is a great opportunity for a local business, civic organization, or school to host a contest or drive for funds or food. Many groups may decide to forego a holiday party or gift exchange and donate the funds they would have used instead. An investment in ShareNet is an investment in the improvement of your community.

Our goal for this drive is $50,000. Please check your mailbox in the coming weeks for an easy way to make a personal or business donation. Checks, payable to ShareNet, may also be mailed to: ShareNet, P.O. Box 250, Kingston, WA 98346.

ShareNet is a 501(c) 3 organization and provides tax-deductible giving statements at year-end. Thank you for considering an investment in our services and our community.

All donors will be honored in the January issue of KCN, unless otherwise requested.

For further information or to let us know of an effort planned, please contact me at (360) 297-2266, sharenetdirector@centurytel.net or Barbara Brumagin at (360) 621-9500.