Betty Skinner has been volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club’s Bremerton Teen Center for about five years. She felt compelled to get involved with the organization due to the support and esteem-building it provides for youth. When the teen center was built in East Bremerton, where her insurance agency is located, it was natural […]
unsung heroes
Unsung Hero — Deborah Horn
In 2018, Meals on Wheels will mark 45 years of service to Kitsap County seniors. The nonprofit has 10 community-dining meal sites throughout Kitsap County where seniors can receive a hot, nutritious meal and social interacting, paying a $3 suggested donation. Volunteers also deliver meals to home-bound seniors. Last year, Meals on Wheels Kitsap served […]
Unsung Hero — Diane Landry
Diane Landry has been leading the Bainbridge Island Zero Waste initiative since 2010. A substitute K-12 teacher, Landry volunteers much of her time outside of work for environmental education, outreach and various projects that help reduce landfill waste. An all-volunteer group, Zero Waste is part of Sustainable Bainbridge, a nonprofit whose initiatives also include the […]
Unsung Hero — Rosemary Collins
Rosemary Collins founded Pony Up Rescue for Equines in Olalla in 2006 because she saw a need for a rescue organization. In early 2007, Pony Up received 501(c)3 nonprofit status, and its mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome horses in need due to neglect, abuse or abandonment. Collins serves as president and in addition […]
Unsung Hero — Walt Le Couteur
Walt Le Couteur co-founded Kitsap Rescue Mission with Larry Cooney. The two Kitsap residents had met at Bread of Life Mission in Seattle. They founded what was originally called the Bremerton Rescue Mission after recognizing the local need. Starting with the first meal that served seven guests at The Hub on Wheaton Way, the organization […]
Unsung Hero — Ernie McCluskey
As Martha & Mary’s chaplain, Ernie McCluskey’s main role is to perform church services and provide spiritual counseling for residents, patients, families and staff. But McCluskey does much more than that. An artist who has exhibited his work, he also coordinates the Art & You program, which immerses residents and patients in art projects and […]
Unsung Heroes — Phil and Kathy Bauer
Phil and Kathy Bauer are well-known around the Key Peninsula for their extensive contributions to several organizations. Phil has contributed countless hours to the Key Peninsula Civic Center, among others. Kathy is the co-founder of Two Waters Arts Alliance, a local organization that is now 15 years strong. A former Army pilot who served seven […]
Unsung Hero — Sheila Cline
The Port Orchard Jingle Bell Run is a festive 5K event that raises funds and awareness for America’s top cause of disability: arthritis. Participants tie jingle bells to their shoelaces and wear festive attire as they stroll or run through the streets of downtown Port Orchard. It is one of more than 100 Jingle Bell […]
Unsung Hero — Hazel Bellinger (and Jackson)
Hazel Bellinger started volunteering with the Humane Society of Mason County in August 2012 after retiring from a 35-year career with the Kitsap County 911 Center. Prior to that, she was a volunteer and then a board member at Kitsap Humane Society for 16 years. At KHS, her main responsibility as a volunteer was to […]
