Calling all golfing procrastinators.  Who are committed to doing good in our community.  Who are able to put a group together.  Or play as a single.  The 14th Annual Swing for Rotary Golf Tournament at White Horse is this Friday, Jun 18.  Registration is still open.

    The weather forecast is sunny and 70.  Registration begins at 11a, with shotgun start at 1p.  Enjoy a bite of lunch before and drinks and awards following the tournament.  

    Single golfers are welcome to register at $96.  Rotarians will match you up.  Pairs and foursomes are most welcome at $198 and $396, respectively.  Your entry fee includes practice range, lunch, golf and cart.  And the knowledge you are supporting one of our community’s biggest and longest-running charitable events.  

    How can you clear your calendar for an afternoon of fun next Friday. Just do it.  Register at: 14th-annual-swing-for-rotary-golf-tournament.perfectgolfevent.com.      

On Wednesday, March 10, Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians began Order Bombing here.

On Thursday, June 10, Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians completed Order Bombing here.

Fourteen consecutive weeks in support of Kingston and North Kitsap restaurants in their time of extreme need resulting from Covid-19 restrictions.  From Sully’s in Suquamish to Hansgrill in Hansville.  The Cedar Grill at White Horse to the Scratch Kitchen in Port Gamble.  We ate pizza at Westside and Sourdough Willys, discovered much more than coffee at Coffee Oasis, and filled up at the Filling Station. Kafe Neo and D’Vine Wine served and poured.  We went Over the Moon and enjoyed empanadas and tamales at the Community Center’s “pop-up” restaurant, Argensal.  It began with Kingston’s Ale House and ended at Galare Thai.

Fourteen missions.  Very good restaurant fare was discovered.  No need to ride a ferry or drive miles.  Very good is right here.  

How much damage did the Bombing Runs cause?  Let’s assume, conservatively, each bomber spent $30 on each run; that the average run had 25 bombers; and there were 14 runs.  That is more than $10k worth of business for our local restaurants.  Moreover, each mission created a “sampling” of the good local fare on offer.  Which leads to return visits and additional restaurant sales.  How hard was it?  Going out to eat once a week?  Now that is a mission Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians are proud and happy to take the lead on. We are sated. 

    3,219. That is how many in-need youth accessed Coffee Oasis Centers for services January through April, 2021.  Could have been for bed nights at homes, or case management sessions.  Or simply to wash clothes.  That is what Daniel Kluth, Coffee Oasis’ Development Director-churches and civic clubs, told Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians at their May 26 meeting, live and in person, at Village Green Community Center.  

    Coffee Oasis’ location in Kingston is, and has been, a  frequent recipient of grants from the Rotary Club.  The most recent, $1,000, is being used to create an outdoor community seating area at the Kingston Coffee Oasis.  Kluth reminded Rotarians Coffee Oasis serves fair trade coffee, locally roasted, the proceeds “giving hope to youth in need, with 100% of proceeds dedicated to youth programs.”  They have struggled through the Covid-19 pandemic,  with sales plummeting 65%.  Hours have been cut.  Staff has been cut.  Nonetheless, with sales now 45% off, they continue to serve their long term mission of 22 years.  They have survived with the help of countless volunteers.  

    When asked the greatest current need, Kluth said “come get coffee.”  It is that revenue that initiates the services they provide.  Kluth also said volunteers are needed to answer calls to the Coffee Oasis crisis line.  Eight hours of training is provided to such volunteers.  

    The rest of the numbers.  January through April, 2021, Coffee Oasis arranged 2300 bed nights, hosted 312 case management sessions, and answered 3,549 crisis line calls.