Written by John MacDonald
The charities connected to the Bellringer Fund have long histories of helping individuals and families in the community. The Poulsbo Lions Club has been involved with the North Kitsap Bellringer Fund from the beginning. The connection to helping those in need reaches far beyond the Bellringer Fund and there have been many proud moments in the 80-year history of the Club.
Several members of the Club are weekly volunteers to charities. For several years the Poulsbo Lions Evening Pride Branch has grown produce in their garden next to the main fire station in Poulsbo. This year the members provided 721 pounds of fresh produce from the garden to ShareNet. For several years Lion Elda Armstrong has provided fresh produce to Fishline and this year provided 596 pounds. For the last several years they have provided laundry services to the homeless. As an ongoing project the club
provides for sight and hearing services for those who otherwise are unable to provide for themselves. In the fall each year members of the Club go to all of the elementary preschool and daycare schools, both public and private, and perform sight screening for new students. Dictionaries are provided to student in
several elementary schools. The intersection of Highway 3 and 305 are litter free thanks to members of the Club. Each year the club hosts a Pancake Breakfast and Strawberry Booth during Viking Fest to fund scholarships to deserving North Kitsap students.
The club has been involved in several major projects in the community. The largest project is at Poulsbo Fish Park where boardwalks and viewing platforms were built by Lions members. Club members say that if you walk on wood, they put it there.
It’s said that where there is a need there is a Lion and It’s GREAT to be a Poulsbo Lion.
Tax-deductible donations for the North Kitsap Bellringer Fund may be mailed to P.O. Box 1244, Poulsbo, WA 98370; or via Paypal at poulsbolions@gmail.com.
