Project: Raising Kitsap
Debbie Austin, Scott Bosch, Jay Burghart, Lea Duffy, Gretchen Olsen, Joe Payne, and Lene Price
The Raising Kitsap project involves the production of a marketing video and brochure to raise the community awareness of The Parenting Place program at Kitsap Community Resources (KCR). The 10-minute video explains the current and future needs within our county for The Parenting Place and how individuals can assist with volunteerism or monetary contributions. It highlights the variety of programs offered and links the program’s outcomes directly with building a healthy, successful community through strengthening families. Leadership Kitsap team members are also raising funds to support The Parenting Place and giving presentations at service organizations throughout the county including Bremerton Rotary on April 17, Soroptimists on April 18, and the East Bremerton Rotary on May 31. To date, over $2000 has been donated for supplies supporting children’s programs. Video footage was obtained by filming staff, participants, and volunteers in individual interviews, several classes, and general footage of Kitsap County provided by the Rice Fergus Miller VisLAB Film Crew and Harrison Medical Center. The video will be provided in VHS and DVD format to KCR for their future use and a version will also be prepared to air on BKAT. Production support for the video was provided by Rice Fergus Miller VisLAB, while Harrison Medical Center donated funds to produce the complimentary brochure.

Project: Hang On Kitsap
Gregory Platz, Scott Daniels, Jennifer Hayes, Sandy Scott, Ken Bagwell, Randy Corbell, and Barb Santos
Hang on Kitsap has devised a plan to help the older adults of Kitsap County stay safe with great success so far. Emails and phone calls flew between the team members as the two installation days were arranged. News releases, hand outs and community partners such as Catholic Community Services sent almost 100 names to the Kitsap County Health District which acted as the collection agency. Homes were personally visited by the members of the team to determine the scope of the help that could be given. Legal, liability and volunteer issues were all worked out without a single “Chocolate” - the teams’ predetermined code word for help. On March 25th and April 22nd the team assembled with their other partners from Lowe's and the Fire Departments to make the final grab bar installations, check/install fire detectors and provide other safety information. When the blue T-shirt clad Hang On Kitsap team arrived, it was a mini Extreme Makeover team all the way to hugs and smiles of gratitude. The team is not about to rest yet. They have visions and have already completed serious leg work to leave a legacy. They are looking to provide the infrastructure so that more senior adults can benefit from an on going program. More to follow as Hang On Kitsap celebrates incredible days making a difference in the lives of Kitsap’s older adults.

Project: Sound Challenge
Jacquelyn Aufderheide, Bill Carlson, Troy Crisp, Mitch Gillen, Mindy Hager,
Sauni Holt
Sound Challenge, held its kick off event on June 3, 2006, at the Silverdale Waterfront Park. The “Sound Challenge Regatta” was held from 10-4 p.m. and included participation by local business, sailing clubs, and others. The event was designed to be a fundraising opportunity for the Kitsap Sailing and Rowing Foundation as well as the official turn over of the Sound Challenge Youth Sailing program to the Kitsap County Parks and Recreation department. Demonstrations by the Kitsap County Search and Rescue team and the Suquamish tribe large canoes were planned. Local yacht clubs brought several full size sailboats to the marina for tours and display. Information and points of contact can be found at www.soundchallenge.org.

Project: Spoons Across Kitsap
Shauna Washburn, Eric Pickard, Michelle Cartwright, Ty Tabor, Jenny Sellar and Rick Schulgen
Spoons Across Kitsap Project Team presented a dinner party for children and their families on April 1 at Harrison Hospital in Silverdale. Spoons Across America is a program that provides and promotes food and nutrition education to children, families and teachers, through classroom, after-school, and community-based activities. The children arrived early to help set tables, decorate the room, and observe the chef as he prepared the meal. They were dressed in semiformal attire and many of the girls had had their hair done. The children helped the wait staff serve the meal and clear the tables for this event. Family members made comments that since their kid’s involvement in the Spoons program they were helping with dinner preparation at home and that they were paying more attention to the nutritional value of the meal.