Bellringer just $5,000 short of 2005 goal

POULSBO — Right after announcing it was within $10,000 of its 2005 goal, the Bellringer Fund received another group of donations to cut that span in half.

The annual holiday fund-raiser for the 53-year-old Raab Foundation fund is now about $5,000 away from its $30,000 goal and getting closer by the minute.

Mike’s Carwash owner Mike Brooks reported this week that he’d already raised about $1,500 for Bellringer through proceeds from automatic car washes. He said he hadn’t set a goal for this year’s fund-raising but was hoping to make at least $2,000 to contribute.

“We had some rain and bad weather, which has something to do with it,” Brooks said. “But December is looking good so far and I think we should be in excess of $2,000 by month’s end.”

The Bellringer Fund annually helps hundreds of North Kitsap residents with one-time needs. Assistance has included things like rent or mortgage subsidies, utility payments, transportation and food.

But community donations are needed to ensure that the fund can continue its mission into 2005. Tax deductible donations can be made to the Bellringer Fund at Kitsap Bank in Poulsbo, 19725 7th Avenue or the North Kitsap Herald, 18887 State Highway 305, Suite 700.

Donations can also be mailed to the Bellringer Fund, P.O. Box 1244, Poulsbo, WA 98370 or to the North Kitsap Herald, P.O. Box 278, Poulsbo, WA 98370.

Contributions of $250 or more receive a receipt for the donor’s records.

Families, individuals and organizations will be listed on the front page of the Herald every issue as donations are tallied.

Community members can also help the Bellringer fund by getting their vehicles washed at Mike’s Car Wash in Poulsbo Village. Now through Dec. 31, owner Mike Brooks will be donating a portion of all automatic car wash sales to the fund. Last year, a similar fund-raiser made $1,375 for Bellringer. For more information, call (360) 697-1144.

Bellringer donations through Dec. 22:

• Anonymous $100 Bill and Aslaug, we especially miss you during the holidays

• The Cook Family $100

• $100 In memory of all our loved ones — Love, Rick and JoAnn Ritter and family

• David and Jenni McGrane $250

• Anonymous $100 In honor of Ethan, Natalie, Henry and Bridget

• Claudette Wheeler $50

• The Grandy-Syverson Family $100

• Paulette and Michael Alvarado $100

• Marilyn and Bill Karr $50 In memory of our son, Steven

• $100 Merry Christmas to Sara and Denton from Aunt Millie

• From a new neighbor $250

• Maddi and Lauren Miller and Allison Hackanson $25

• Lauren, Maddi, Anne and Erick Miller $100 In memory of Ruth A.F. Miller

• Anonymous $100

• Hunter Lehmann $15 In memory of Jazzie

• Rachel Lehmann $1.85

• Collin Lehmann $2

• Delaney Lehmann $10

• Anonymous $130

• Jack and Mildred Roof $300 In honor of three new great-grandsons

• Alma Hass $25

• Alice Hass $25

• Anonymous $100

• Anonymous $25

• Pauline and Karl O. Ostheller $50

• Yvonne and Steven Engle $50

• Jerry Cooper $50

• Sandy Kienholz and Bill Tomlinson $75

• Hap DeCoteau $100 Merry Christmas. In memory of Suzie, Minnie Bump and Cmdr. Smiley

• Dan and Kalen Delaney $100 To honor the community

• Anonymous $100

Today’s total $2,683.85

Running total $24,379.85

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.