PORT ORCHARD — South Kitsap Helpline was the recipient of financial and in-kind assistance this holiday season from two area service organizations.
The Port Orchard Eagles presented a check of $3,500 to Jennifer Hardison, executive director of Helpline and its food bank operations in December. Thanks to community support for the Eagles’ annual car show in July, the Christmas in August food and money drive at grocery and outlet stores in Port Orchard, and the organization’s Friday-night Bar Stool Bingo Games, the Eagles’ Charol Riedel and Debra Davies were able to hand over the money raised to Hardison just as the Christmas season shifted into high gear in mid-December.
“We were pleased to offer this annual gift for the year-round commitment to feed Port Orchard’s hungry and to provide Christmas presents for the children,” Hardison said.
“The South Kitsap Helpline is so grateful for the partnership we have with the Port Orchard Eagles Club,” she said.
“Their members are a huge support to our agency, both through their monetary contributions and through all of the time they dedicate to our programs year-round. We truly appreciate their generosity and all of their efforts to make a positive difference in the lives of those in need in our community.”
A second service organization in Port Orchard, the Saints Car Club, handed over financial donations to Helpline’s Hardison for the holiday season. Twenty-three club members donated more than 200 volunteer hours helping to distribute food items and toys for Helpline during the Christmas season.
Several Saints members also gave personal checks to Helpline, and one member even donated 130 Christmas trees to the agency for the holidays.
“Giving back to the community is what the club is all about,” said Roger Jensen of the car club, which is best known for staging its annual CRUZ Car Show on the Port Orchard waterfront, one of the largest community events in Kitsap County.
Charol Riedel and Debra Davies of the Port Orchard Eagles Club presented a check of $3,500 to Jennifer Hardison of Helpline (center) to help the organization feed hungry community members and provide Christmas gifts for needy children. (Courtesy photo)
