A whole community came together to make Thanksgiving happen at ShareNet for about 200 local families in need, for a total of 600 individual persons served.
On Nov. 14, 20 volunteers gathered at ShareNet for what we thought would be nearly a day long adventure in pre-packing the non-perishable parts of the Thanksgiving boxes to be provided to clients.
Operations Manager Amy Phillips had done such a great job of organizing and making the event efficient, and we had such able support from our group of volunteers, that we completed the packing in just over 2 hours in a true factory-style assembly line.
On Nov. 16, fresh produce and turkeys were added to the boxes and distributed for a complete holiday meal with leftovers to spare. Food drives are frequent and generous during this time of year, but even so most of the Thanksgiving distribution has to be purchased. That holiday purchasing, as well as our regular food budget, is made possible mostly by generous donations from our local community.
Recent food drives augmenting this event, as well as pending December distribution, have included Poulsbo Lions Evening Pride Branch, the Leo Club at Kingston High School (thanks to ShareNet volunteer Robin Storey for spearheading that one), Kingston Kiwanis’s annual Apple Cup Food Drive, and Kingston Middle School’s ASB club. Volunteers of these service clubs often stand out in all weather representing these food drives on our behalf, and we’re deeply grateful for their contribution.
There are so many ways to volunteer and help out, and a resourceful community like ours tries all of them. Recently, local artist Jim Morrison donated a beautiful watercolor of a Great Blue Heron for a raffle, with ticket sales to benefit ShareNet.
Morrison is philanthropically inclined, as is his wife Julie, a long-time volunteer in the Food Bank.
His work has appeared in magazines, books and, for those lucky enough to be on their list, Christmas cards as well. Previously, he has donated his work to the Poulsbo Audubon Society as well as Soroptimists International of Greater North Kitsap.
He is also an art docent at Wolfle Elementary School, teaching charcoal drawing and watercolor to fifth-graders two times per month. Morrison won North Kitsap School District’s prestigious Starfish Award for his valuable work encouraging kids in teacher Trang McGillivray’s classroom. McGillivray has also been instrumental in Wolfle’s summer sessions, which ShareNet helps support.
Morrison’s mantra to students is, “Anyone can draw if they practice.” Maybe, but few draw and paint as well as Morrison.
In a previous career, Morrison had some instruction in technical drawing and drafting, so perspective was natural for him. He has also been influenced by Byron Birdsall, a Whidbey Island resident known as an “Alaskan” painter. Morrison got to meet Birdsall last year and picked up some techniques that are different from those utilized by most watercolorists.
Morrison’s wife, Julie, describes her husband’s themes as “Birds, boats, and mountains.”
One characteristic he admires is the tremendous contrast found in Birdsall’s paintings.
Morrison officially retired in 1995 but, as with most retirees in the ShareNet orbit, he is far from idle. An avid athlete as well, Morrison believes watercolors are easier than most people think, and says, “I enjoy having other people enjoy my art and that is part of the reason I paint.”
The watercolor is currently on display at Kitsap Bank, Kingston. Raffle tickets are available for purchase during ShareNet Thrift Store’s open hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, through Dec. 20. The raffle will be held Dec. 21.
Neighbor Aid 2012, our annual fundraising campaign, continues through December.
— Mark Ince is executive director of ShareNet. Contact him at sharenetdirector@centurytel.net.
