Local clubs raise the roof for humanity

POULSBO — The Poulsbo Noon Lions recently handed Kitsap County Habitat for Humanity the last piece of a cooperative gift from North Kitsap service organizations.

Lions members presented Habitat Director Lori Oberlander a check for $1,000 last week.

“This will help with roofing material, bathroom fixtures and certainly a lot of nails,” Oberlander commented on the money.

But the Lions donation is just one part of a whole. Last year, several local clubs pledged together to “Raise the Roof” for Habitat. Clubs agreed to together give $5,000 to Habitat.

“I don’t think this has ever been done,” commented Rotarian Jim Martin on the many groups cooperating toward one goal.

Martin said the project began last year when Habitat made a presentation to the Rotary. Local Rotarians decided not only to help, but to challenge their fellow civic clubs to join in. In the end, donations came from Poulsbo Noon Lions ($1,000), Poulsbo/North Kitsap Rotary ($2,000), Poulsbo Kiwanis ($1,250), Kingston Kiwanis ($250) and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Washington Peninsula chapter ($500).

Lions president Elda Armstrong said the Poulsbo Noon Lions’ share of the funds came, in part, from efforts like their twice-yearly antique show and sale and their flag program.

“We work hard for our money,” Armstrong said. “That’s a lot of money for our club.”

And besides money, the clubs also pledged their own time to help build a Habitat home in North Kitsap. Martin said the new Kingston/North Kitsap Rotary, Soroptimists, North Kitsap High School construction students and NKHS Leo Club may also be involved in the labor portion.

The groups should find out the location of their Habitat home site in early 2004. Oberlander said the organizations has sites in Hansville, Kingston and Suquamish at the moment and she figures that the “Raise the Roof” efforts will go toward either Hansville or Suquamish.

“It’ll be fun,” commented Martin on the upcoming construction work. “We’ll have some friendly competition but most importantly, camaraderie.”

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