Harriette Bryant founded OurGEMS (Girls Empowered through Mentoring and Service) in 2008 while mentoring nine eight-grade girls at Ridgetop Junior High School. They asked her if they could continue the next year, which lead to mentoring through their senior graduation. “I feel it … read more

Nearly half of low-income Americans reported that they or someone in their household experienced some type of income loss during the pandemic, according to information published by Pew Research Center. Because more people are facing hardship this year due to the impacts of … read more

Ken Kieffer’s world extends far beyond the edges of his mirror. Kieffer, 71, is a longtime Gig Harbor resident, retired attorney and consummate volunteer. He gives his time to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Diabetics Association, Susan G. Komen Puget Sound, Pierce County’s … read more

The coronavirus pandemic (a.k.a. COVID-19) flipped the world, as we know it, off its axis. Life was normal as we all went about our unique daily grinds of juggling careers, commutes, school and extracurricular activities. Then, in what feels like a blink of … read more

Nonprofit organizations helping people in need are struggling all around the country, as more people need help right now. Locally, you can help through the annual Kitsap Great Give, a 24-hour, online giving event organized by the Kitsap Community Foundation to grow philanthropy … read more

Being a hero goes beyond dressing up in a costume this Halloween season. Children, families and schools across the country can channel their own superpowers to help deliver lifesaving supplies to children in need this October. One way to use your superpowers is … read more

Kitsap Harvest is a program that organizes volunteers to pick surplus fruits and veggies from farms, yards and gardens across Kitsap County. This activity is called “gleaning.” Kitsap Harvest donates the fresh produce to local organizations that feed people, like food banks, shelters, school summer … read more

The Turkey Trot is a 5k and 1-mile fun run on Thanksgiving morning that benefits Helpline House on Bainbridge Island. The run has raised more than $130,000 for Helpline House since its inception in 2010. Islanders Ann Browning and Jenny Campbell started the … read more

Every year since 2004, Pacific Northwest Title has been hosting a holiday food drive benefitting all Kitsap County food banks. The drive begins the last week in October and runs for three weeks, and the company involves all its employees at both the … read more