Nearly $7K donated to the Bellringer Fund so far

By John Macdonald and Terry Blais For the Herald • December 15, 2025 1:30 am

We often say “Have a great day” when greeting friends and family. But during this season of giving, imagine instead saying: “Make your day mean something.” It’s more than a phrase. It’s an invitation to bring light and hope into someone else’s life.

Across North Kitsap, families and individuals are struggling to meet life’s most basic needs. A survey earlier this year revealed 297 unsheltered neighbors in Kitsap County, a 16% increase from 2024. Statewide, more than 38% of Washington residents wrestle with affordability, with over 795,000 living below the poverty line. Washington is the 5th most expensive state in which to live, and for many, the holidays bring more worry than joy.

Yet in food banks and assistance centers, volunteers and staff embody the spirit of holiday season every day. When they say “Make your day mean something,” they are offering more than food or shelter. They are offering dignity, compassion, and the warmth of community. Just as carols remind us of joy and bells ring out hope, these helpers remind us that no one should be forgotten during the holidays.

The Poulsbo Lions Raab Foundation Bellringer Fund, carrying forward the Raab family’s tradition begun in the mid-1940s, continues to raise funds so that essential services can reach those who need them most. This legacy is more than charity. It is a living example of holiday generosity, where neighbors care for neighbors and kindness becomes the greatest gift.

So this season, as lights twinkle across our town and families gather around decorated trees, let us remember: Make your day mean something. Share your blessings. Give hope. Donate to the Bellringer Fund. In doing so, you’ll not only brighten someone else’s Christmas – you’ll make your own day truly meaningful. So far, $6,900 has been raised.

How to donate to our 501(c)(3):

  • PayPal: poulsbolions@gmail.com
  • Online: Visit poulsbolions.blogspot.com and click the Donate button in the right-hand column
  • Mail: Send checks to Poulsbo Lions Raab Foundation, P.O. Box 1244, Poulsbo, WA 98370

John Macdonald and Terry Blais are both officers of the Poulsbo Lions Club.