Merry Christmas Eve, Poulsbo

 

On this peaceful Christmas Eve, the Poulsbo Lions send heartfelt wishes to our neighbors across North Kitsap. As lights glow in windows and families gather close, we’re grateful for a community that shows kindness, generosity, and unity all year long.

 

Thank you for supporting our service projects, cheering on our traditions, and helping us lift up those who need it most. May your home be filled with warmth, laughter, and the quiet magic that makes this night so special.

 

From our Lions family to yours — Merry Christmas, Poulsbo.

More photos from Loads of Change Christmas event

We have yet more photos to share from our wonderful laundromat Christmas Dec. 17 for Loads of Change.

We were able to help a few unhoused people out with propane, a tent and sleeping pad... some gas money for those sleeping in their cars.... There really is a need for kindness now.

Lion Ray McMahon shows up every month.

One of our clients, Tonya, with gifts for her and her boys

Lion Pat Rae

Lion Dennis Tesch puts quarters in a big washer.

 

Photo dump of cookie fundraiser and Loads of Change Christmas event

Lions have been busy during this holiday season. Here are photos from a couple of recent events.

Poulsbo Evening Pride Branch Club's fundraiser, decorating Christmas cookies, was a fun event complete with all kinds of sprinkles, apple cider and cocoa with marshmellows! Above, Poulsbo Lions Beth Olsen and her daughter, Gretchen Dunmire, try out different decorating techniques.

Liz asked for leggings and received a 3-pack! She was happy.

Poulsbo Lion Lee Metcalf typically shows up the 3rd Wednesday of every month to volunteer a couple of hours just inserting quarters into dryers.

Sandy asked only for a mug. And she said she loved the red color, the size, EVERYTHING. Sometimes it's the simplest things that make people happy.
 

Loads of Change Christmas event features pizza, presents and clean laundry, of course!

It was a magical night in the Village Laundromat. Well, not really. After all, it's a laundromat.

But Poulsbo Lions brought wrapped presents for some of our Loads of Change clients who'd signed up for things they needed last month (for many it's their only Christmas present), Ray bought 10 pizzas that were quickly devoured, Sharmon dropped by with several packages of cookies and mozzarella cheese sticks, we had 48 pairs of thermal socks, along with body wipes, toothbrushes, toilet paper, paper towels and many other items.

Many of our unhoused and low-income clients were blessed with propane and Safeway gift cards (for gas or groceries). By the end of the night, we'd gone through $930 ($330 was donations) for 40 people doing laundry for 64, washed 200 loads and dried 142.

Many thanks to our Lion volunteers - Ray McMahon, Ken Hatton, Pat Rae, Lee Metcalf, Dennis Deitch, Dennis Tesch and Terry Blais. We'll see you in the New Year!

Kathy loved her new sheet set.

Mariah was happy with her gift.

McQ felt happy with her heated lap blanket.

 

Our Christmas Loads of Change is in one week

 

Our next Loads of Change is coming up - Weds., Dec. 17. It's a special one for many who came last month because we have some goodies (after all, Christmas is coming up!).

 

Donations are always welcome - anything from laundry detergent pods to fabric softener and big trash bags for clean clothes.

 

This month, we'll have thermal socks, toothbrushes/toothpaste and soap to hand out among other things. 

 

Donations may be brought to the laundromat on Wednesday when we're there, or taken to Dennis Deitch at John L. Scott Real Estate on 10th Avenue in Poulsbo. Thanks!

Merry Christmas!

 

Laundry day for unhoused tomorrow

One more sleep and then it's time to do the laundry for the unhoused and needy low-income of North Kitsap. Last load should be in the washer by 5:30 pm so there's time to dry it.

 

Kingston High LEOs make ornaments for seniors

Kingston LEOs made 90 Christmas ornaments and delivered them to the senior apartments in the Village Green recently. #WeServe #LoveLEOs #MerryChristmas

 

 

Christmas wreaths for veteran graves

 

This was Poulsbo Municipal Cemetery's first year of participating in Wreaths Across America.

Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers for the success we had this year. If you are interested in helping with this kick off for next year, Poulsbo Noon Lions Club is a fund-raising group (WA0142P). wreathsacrossamerica.org/WA0142P

 

 

At noon today Wreaths Across America was at the cemetery to remember and honor our veterans through the laying of "Remembrance Wreaths" on the graves of our fallen heroes. Lion Linda Schwind (red coat below) organized the event today with the Poulsbo Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 2463, the Rotary Club of Poulsbo-North Kitsap, and the Poulsbo American Legion, Post 245. These veterans groups, scouts, four other Lions (Joyce Smith, Steve Calhoun, Karl Ostheller and Harlan Knudsen), and two North Kitsap Leos (Michael and Shelby) helped place the wreaths. The Leos also paid for 5 of the wreaths.

Christmas party fun and service

Scenes from our annual Christmas party. This year it was held at the Clearwater Casino Resort.

 

The Clearwater Resort provided the decorated Christmas tree while Lions and their guests brought useful things like new socks, mittens/gloves and scarves for Fishline Food Bank.

The gift exchange is always fun. Here, District Governor Pat Burch shows off the magical Santa he opened.

 

Lion Mike Paxhia and his wonderful present.

 

 Lions Erika Dodsley and her father, Dave Risley, with his mom Ginny Risley.

Lion Carol Ryan with her fiance Cathal MacGuire.

Lion Tom Settle and wife Billie Jo, Sue Weaver and Lion Jan Kelly.

 

Lions Karl and Pauline Ostheller and Paulette and Mike Alvarado.

 

Lion Steve Calhoun and wife Karen, with Lions Joyce Smith and Erika Dodsley.

 

 Wrapped gifts for the always eventful and fun exchange.

 

Lion Eric Thanem with his guest and Eric Blais.

 

The Alvarados with Lion Kent Lord.

 

Lions Jim Shields, Chuck Weaver and Mike Paxhia.

 

Lion Dennis Deitch and wife Denise with Lion Rick Wright and his better half.

 

Lions Dori Swokowsky, Karen Reitan and June Cotner.

 

 Bev Puhn and Lions Scott Puhn and Dennis Deitch.

 

Bev Stark with Jackie Macdonald and Lion Tom Stark.

 

Singing is an important component of our Christmas party! Especially the 12 Days of Christmas.

Lions Dave Risley, Dottie Ridgeway and Marian Phillips.

For those last-minute shoppers

Evening Pride Branch collects $168 wrapping gifts

 

$168 in donations was collected during Evening Pride's Christmas 2 wrapping sessions at Barnes & Noble Dec. 5 and 13.

Leos sweeten tree lighting festival

 

13 LEOs from Kingston middle and high schools and North Kitsap High showed up to be elves and hand out cookies and hot chocolate at the Kingston Christmas Tree Lighting festival on Saturday, Dec. 1. Lion Karl Ostheller shared his photos.

Leos share Christmas cheer

 

13 LEOs from Kingston middle and high schools and North Kitsap High showed up to be elves and hand out cookies and hot chocolate at the Kingston Christmas Tree Lighting festival on Saturday, Dec. 1. Lion Karl Ostheller shared his photos.