The North Kitsap community beat us to the punch this year. Right around Thanksgiving, the Herald teams up with the Poulsbo Lions Club for the annual Bellringer Fundraiser. We offer up space and the Lions Club does the actual work.

The Bellringer fund has been a North Kitsap tradition since 1946 when Frank and Mabel Raab reached out to help those in need. Their idea was to raise money and collect toys to help people through the holidays. Today that spirit lives on, as the Lions Club raises money to offer one-time assistance to families to pay rent and utilities.

This year, before we even put out the call, North Kitsapers had their checkbooks at the ready. In the first week of the seven-week campaign we’ve already received $2,600 in donations.

We’re hoping that generosity continues, as the need for it certainly will.

Saint Olaf’s Church in Poulsbo refers families who need assistance to the Bellringer fund. And the number of referrals is higher than ever.

“Typically we set aside a certain set of dollars each year to make sure we make it to the end of the year,” said John Macdonald, a Bellringer volunteer. “If we get down to that reserve, we stop giving out assistance. This year we had to stop giving assistance in July.”

Now that donations are rolling in again, the fund is again able to assist families in need.

Donations to the Bellringer can be dropped off at Frontier Bank in Poulsbo or the North Kitsap Herald office, 18887 Hwy 305, Suite 700.

Donations can also be mailed to Bellringer Fund, P.O. Box 1244, Poulsbo, WA, 98370. All donations are tax deductible through the Raab foundation, a non profit, created by the Lions Club.

Let’s keep the generosity going.