Friday, October 11, 2013
kitsapweek
page 9
Hope, healing, and a haircut
Among the free services offered at Operation Day of Hope is assistance connecting with state programs.
Operation Day of Hope offers free services, from dental care to legal advice By RICHARD D. OXLEY Kitsap Week
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p.m. “Operation Day of Hope is a day that Gateway (Fellowship) feels it can bless the community by giving away free services,” Pastor Dave Fischer said. “We know there are a lot of needs out there and we want to help in any way we can.” Among the free services available: health care screenings, dental exams and treatment, haircuts, manicures, chair massages, family portraits and photos, legal and mort-
here are plenty of causes worthy of attention, from feeding the hungry to providing clothes to those in need. But each year, one Kitsap community launches an operation to perform as many good deeds as it can under one roof. That effort is called “Operation items, toiletries, new and Day of Hope,” providing a used clothing, information wealth of assistance, serabout social services and vices and free and helpful more. items. To top it all off, the “I think people fellowship is offering Operation Day should definitely give a hot meal. it a shot, it’s not what of Hope There will also be a you might think,” When: Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to 2 children’s play area. said Melissa Corona, p.m. “They have things who has previously Where: Gateway Fellowship, 18901 8th for kids; if the parents attended Operation want to get a haircut, Ave, Poulsbo. Day of Hope. the kids can be taken What: Free community services “People may be care of,” Fischer said. including: health care screenings, shy about that sort And it’s all free. dental exams and treatment, haircuts, of thing, but they are “There are no manicures, chair massages, family there to help,” she strings attached,” portraits and photos, legal and said. Fischer said. mortgage counseling, groceries, Operation Day “Anybody can come, clothings, toiletries and more. of Hope is an event whether from our hosted by Poulsbo’s church or anywhere.” Gateway Fellowship, Wendy Wong was at 18901 8th Ave. NE on gage counseling, fresh one such person who took Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 and packaged grocery
Left, clothes ready for giveaway at last year’s Operation Day of Hope. Clothing is one aspect of the event. Organizers aim to have plenty of winter clothes on hand as the season approaches.
Gateway Fellowship / Contributed
Gateway Fellowship / Contributed
advantage of the event four years ago. “The first year I went for a free haircut,” she said. “I attended the first year, and I was so impressed with all the volunteers that I started attending the church and have been involved ever since.” Wong now volunteers for multiple causes, all helping the community. “It’s a great outreach,” Wong said. “Not only for the people that are homeless, but those who are down on their luck.” “It gives you hope that there are people out there willing to help you,” she added. Since coming on board, Wong has assisted with the clothing aspect of the event. She notes that it is a good source for winter needs such as jackets and blankets. Clothes were one resource that Corona went for last year with her husband and four boys. “It was actually great because we didn’t have any diapers and we went and got clothes for the
Cover Story
People helping pets...pets helping people. Lulu (dilute tortie) is a 1 yr old mom who came to us with broken jaw..Her 2 week old kittens went to a foster home. A few weeks later an orphan was added. A few weeks later another. Lulu took on each one like it was her own. Now everyone is ready to find a new home(s). Alexander(tabby w/white feet) Cleopatra(calico), Grace(tabby) and Seymour(fluffy grey) and Lulu will all be at Poulsbo Petco waiting to meet you. 1-888-558-PAWS • www.northkitsappaws.org
kids and for ourselves,” Corona said. Corona recalled the ease of having multiple needs met in one spot. “Everything is piled into one place,” she said. “Last year, they had a dental clinic and that was very good. There’s a place you can apply for benefits with the state, and
there are different areas to go in and get haircuts and more.” “It was very inviting and kid friendly,” Corona added. “Nobody was pushing anybody and it was very relaxed.” This year will be the fourth time the church has hosted the event, which has grown considerably from its inception. See Operation, Page 10
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