Candidate Filing Begins This Week
Cities, School Districts, Ports, More Have Positions to Fill
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Candidate filing week began yesterday for Kitsap County residents interested in serving in local elected positions. Cities, school districts, ports, fire districts, utility and park districts all have elected positions that will be on the 2023 ballot.
The Kitsap County Auditor's Office has already received a handful of candidate filings by mail. Online, email, fax and in-person filings began Monday and end Friday, May 19.
Three important dates and deadlines are:
- May 15-19: Filing week
- May 22: Deadline to withdraw a candidacy
- May 26: Voters' Pamphlet statement due.
"The people in these elected positions serve a vital role in our communities and often provide the most direct service in our day-to-day lives," said Paul Andrews, Kitsap County Auditor. "I'm always excited during filing week to see how many people step up to serve."
Online filing, the option most candidates use, begins at 9 a.m., Monday, May 15 and ends at 4 p.m., Friday, May 19.
In-person and filing by email or fax begins at 8 a.m. Monday, May 15 and ends at 4:30 p.m., Friday, May 19.
The deadline to withdraw a candidacy is 4:30 p.m., Monday, May 22.
Candidate statements and photos, which appear in the Local Voters' Pamphlet, are due Friday, May 26.
A lot draw, which determines the order candidates appear on a ballot, will be at 4:30 p.m., Friday, May 19, at the Elections desk in the Kitsap County Auditor's Office at 619 Division Street, Port Orchard and will stream live on the Auditor's YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/KitsapAuditor.
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May Membership Luncheon
Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
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Don't forget to bring a raffle item for our monthly raffle benefitting the Chamber Scholarship Fund. Raffle tickets can be purchased with cash or you can be invoiced! |
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RECAP: West Sound YFC Ribbon Cutting |
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Congratulations to Chamber members, West Sound YFC, for the opening of their new administrative offices on Silverdale Way. The organization celebrated with the community on Friday, enjoying a ribbon cutting with the Chamber.
We're so excited for this beautiful new space to continue aiding in the mission
of this important community organization - congratulations!
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Celebrate Our Military Community!
Join Us Saturday, May 20th in Downtown Bremerton
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Do you own a classic car that you love showing around town? We are looking for a few more vehicles to drive our military and elected official VIPS in the Armed Forces Day Parade on Saturday (we're specifically looking for convertible cars)!
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Renew your membership today to ensure your place as a Charter Member of the Greater Kitsap Chamber! Questions about when to renew or how to upgrade your membership? Contact Irene now!
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Missed a previous edition of the Chamber's Community Connections?
View all the past issues on our website HERE.
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Suitcases on Standby Travel |
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Are you an influencer, business owner, or group leader who loves to travel? Do you want to share unforgettable memories with friends, family, or co-workers? Would you like to get special pricing and extra perks during your trip? If your answer is yes, then leading a group travel experience might be for you! Suitcases on Standby Travel specialized in group travel and would love to work together to curate an unforgettable, personalized vacation for your group.
Potential groups include but are not limited to: family reunions * milestone birthdays * community and non-profit groups * special interest groups * professional retreats/incentive groups * fitness and wellness retreats * girlfriend getaways
If you are interested in finding out more about group travel opportunities, Amy would love to meet for coffee. Contact her HERE.
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Peaks Financial: Retirement Design Lab
The Secret to Building Your Ideal Retirement
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Sound Publishing Employment Opportunity |
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It may only be May, but the 2023 Whaling Days Festival Board of Directors and committee members are hard at work on this annual event that brings thousands of visitors to Kitsap County each July. This year marks the 49th celebration and the return of fireworks, in addition to the vendors, entertainment and beer garden you'll usually find.
Whaling Days is a free, family-oriented, community festival held annually in Old Town Silverdale over the last weekend in July. Through generous sponsorship donations and attendance at the yearly festival, Whaling Days is able to provide a fun, annual event enjoyed by people from throughout Kitsap County, and beyond.
Whaling Days also gives back to the community by donating proceeds to local charitable organizations and through scholarships for high school graduates of the Central Kitsap School District.
Silverdale Whaling Days is a registered, 501(c)(3), non-profit organization and has been a member of the Chamber since 2004. Vendor applications are still being accepted for this year's event, as well as sponsorships. Visit www.whalingdays.com to learn more.
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PO Box 2021 | Silverdale, WA 98383 | (360) 525-3596 |
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Member Education & Training Resources |
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WA Hospitality Association: Live Webinar
The Hospitality Profit - Labor Management
Wednesday, May 17, 2023, 10:00 am
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BIPOC Business Forum
Wednesday, May 17, 2023, 5:30 pm
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Join us May 17th at the Marvin Williams Center to be inspired, share your experiences, connect with resources and enjoy networking with fellow business owners and entrepreneurs!
Complimentary appetizers, networking and resource fair begin at 5:30 and program gets underway at 6pm. There is no fee to attend this event.
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Featured Presentation -Building a Business of Value with business coach, mentor and consultant Wilton Waverly, CDE, ww.willwavvy.com.
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Listening Sessions - What is going well for your business? Obstacles? What would be helpful to grow your business? Facilitated by Grant Twyman & Rachel Askew from NEXT Consulting Firm.
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Resource Fair - Connect with local, regional and state organizations and technical services providers.
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Networking - Enjoy complimentary appetizers while getting to know more about your community and the resources available to you.
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WA Cares Basics:
What Businesses Need to Know
Thursday, May 18, 2023, 12:00 pm
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In July, workers begin contributing to the WA Cares Fund. Is your organization ready?
Join us for the latest updates on the state’s long-term care insurance program and learn more about employer responsibilities. We’ll cover who contributes to the fund, who can get an exemption, how workers will meet contribution requirements and what kinds of benefits will be available.
Get your questions answered and find out where to go for more resources for businesses and workers.
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Work Transformation Summit
Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 9:00 am
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You’re invited to join our next Work Transformation Summit where you’ll hear from AI experts, analysts, and executives on how AI is shaping human connection in the workplace. As an attendee you’ll be able to:
- Hear about Zoom’s approach to responsible AI, with an AI expert’s look at the implications for human connection.
- Join a live discussion with a panel of analysts to discuss how to best integrate AI into the customer journey.
- Learn how to balance automation and ethics when rolling out AI automation in an organization.
- Participate in breakout sessions with your peers to discuss crucial topics around AI and the future of work.
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Burnout to Brilliance
Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 5:00 pm
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Are you a high achieving, entrepreneur or conscious business leader who feels overwhelmed?
Do you feel like no matter how much harder you work, you'll never keep up?
In this 90 minute interactive workshop, learn how to shift from burnout to brilliance through paradigm shifting conversation, questions, and qigong tai chi inspired exercises.
Discover:
- What is burnout?
- 4 Myths to Preventing Burnout
- 3 Powers to Shift into Brilliance
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Military Relations Committee |
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You Can Still Sign-Up for the Bremerton
Armed Forces Day Parade
Parade applications available online!
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A limited number of Information Booths at the Heroes BBQ are available for purchase. Please contact Tiffany for more information and to sign up now!
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Business News & Resources |
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$25,000 National Grant Application for LGBTQIA+ Businesses Now Open
Apply by June 6, 2023
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In partnership with Founders First CDC, the GSBA is excited to announce the National Pride Grant focused on supporting LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs. The $25,000 fund will make investments of $1,000 each to 25 LGBTQIA+ business owners across the United States. The application deadline is June 6, 2023.
Is my business eligible?
- Identify as LGBTQIA+
- Must be a CEO, President, or Business Owner
- Business must be located in the United States
- Business annual revenue does not exceed $5M
Must have between 2 to 50 employees.
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New Survey of WA Employers Finds
Slowing Growth Amid Uncertainty
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Employers in Washington are experiencing slower growth amid ongoing inflationary and workforce challenges. While many see signs of inflation ahead for the state as a whole, they are still generally optimistic about growth ahead for their own business.
Those are a few of the insights from AWB’s most recent survey of Washington employers, a quarterly look at the issues and perspectives facing businesses of all sizes throughout Washington.
When asked about the health of their businesses, four in ten employers say their business is flat. That number has been consistent over the past year, but the number who say their business is growing has dropped to 29% from 40% last summer. And 8% now say their business is struggling, up from 3% last summer.
Still, employers are fairly optimistic about their own futures, with 43% anticipating their business will grow over the coming six months and only 14% expecting a decline.
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Applications Now Open for U.S. Chamber's
Small Business Awards Program
Apply Now thru July 7, 2023
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The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the launch of a new awards program for small businesses: America's Top Small Business! Applications for the program open today, May 4, 2023.
Formerly known as the Dream Big Awards, America’s Top Small Business (ATSB) aims to recognize small businesses doing big things in their industries and communities through innovation, job creation and a commitment to being an integral part of a thriving business ecosystem.
We’ll be choosing Top Small Businesses across America (10 in each of seven regions). The highest scoring business in each region will be named one of America’s Top Small Businesses and one finalist will win America’s Top Small Business of the Year Award — a $25,000 cash prize!
Find out everything you need to know about the ATSB program, including who is eligible to apply, how winners are chosen, important dates and deadlines, and more on our FAQ page.
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Nonprofit News & Resources |
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber is proud to be one of only five Chambers statewide selected to partner with the Nonprofit Association of Washington (NAWA) to bring education and resources to nonprofits in Western Washington. Stay tuned to this section of our weekly newsletter for education, resources and more for our nonprofit community. To learn more about NAWA, please visit their website here.
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5 Ways Nonprofits Can Use AI
for Better Fundraising
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Photo: Getty Images
Love it, hate it or just don’t know much about it — artificial intelligence (AI) is here for good with the widespread adoption of ChatGPT. And this is good news for nonprofits.
Because while most people are still playing around with AI (to be honest, it is fun to see what ChatGPT can come up with), there’s a huge opportunity here for the entire industry to elevate its effectiveness –– and for you to upgrade your fundraising virtually overnight.
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Featured Funding Opportunity:
Volunteer Generation Fund
Applications due May 16, 2023, 5:00 pm EST
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Applicants that receive funding can carry out their own activities supported under the award or use it to make subgrants to other volunteer connector organizations. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Eastern time May 16.
The grant supports community-based volunteerism. VGF encourages grant applications include work plans that advance justice and equality in areas such as education, rural communities, access to food and healthcare, workforce development, elder justice, and living independently.
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Online: Finance Unlocked for Nonprofits
Wednesday, May 31, 2023, 10:00 am
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We each have our own experiences with finance that may stir up excitement, mixed feelings, or uneasiness. These feelings can shape how we approach our relationship to nonprofit finance. Approaching nonprofit finance in a welcoming way, the Finance Unlocked for Nonprofits virtual workshop aims to help unlock your financial literacy. From key words and forms to understanding how everything fits together, you will increase your basic nonprofit finance knowledge.
The virtual workshop will cover:
- Balance sheet
- Income statement
- IRS Form 990
- Giving
- Oversight
This workshop will be recorded. Registrants will receive the recording by email after the event. If you can’t attend the training but you are interested in learning about this topic, please register so you we can send you the recording and materials.
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Nonprofit HR Gathering: What Nonprofits Need
to Know About the Equal Pay & Opportunities Act and Wage Transparency
Wednesday, June 7, 2023, 12:00 pm
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The Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA), which took effect in 2018, promotes gender pay equity in Washington State through equal pay, equal career advancement opportunities, open wage discussions, prohibited retaliation, and other protections for employees and job applicants.
What does your nonprofit need to know about the EPOA? And why is wage transparency important? Join the gathering to hear from specialists from L&I and nonprofit leaders who are advocating for an even more transparent process. This gathering will include presentations from L&I’s equal pay agents and a nonprofit advocate for equal pay, an interactive panel discussion, and time at the end to have your questions answered.
The HR Gathering is for those who currently work in human resources or similar roles in the nonprofit sector. We invite those whose work focuses on HR to come together to learn, exchange information, and support each other. Whether you work in an HR department or support HR in another capacity, this gathering is for you!
This gathering will be recorded. If you are unable to attend, you can still register to receive the recording and resources.
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Guide for Workers in Nonprofits |
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Kitsap County Bids Farewell to
County Commissioner Rob Gelder
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Bremerton Mayor Greg Wheeler was one of several elected officials and many Kitsap County community members who gathered on Monday to bid farewell to Rob Gelder, the long-serving District 1 County Commissioner. Gelder announced in late March that he would be leaving his role in Kitsap to become the Assistant County Manager for Thurston County.
The Kitsap County Democratic Party will be forwarding three nominees to Commissioners Katie Walters and Charlotte Garrido by May 24th, with a public interview session scheduled for May 31st. The Kitsap County Board of Commissioners has 60 days after an office becomes vacant to make an appointment.
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St. Michael Medical Back in Compliance |
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Photo: Meegan M. Reid/Kitsap Sun
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services deemed St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale to be back in substantial compliance with participation requirements for Medicare and Medicaid programs last month after investigators scrutinizing the facility found a number of concerns at the hospital in recent months, raising the possibility that the facility could lose vital funding.
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Kitsap County Public Works Earns Award
Kitsap County Receives 1 of Only 7 Projects of the Year
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The American Public Works Association (APWA) Washington Chapter is proud to announce Kitsap County Public Works earned one of only seven APWA’s 2023 Public Works Project of the Year Awards awarded in WA State. Winning infrastructure projects are publicly owned and promote excellence in construction, management, and administration. These awards recognize the alliance between the managing agency, the contractor, the consultant, and their cooperative achievements for the good of their communities.
“The WA Chapter is honored to be able to recognize high quality projects across the spectrum of public works and showcase the value that public works provides to our everyday lives," said Tina Nelson, APWA-WA Award Committee Chair.
Kitsap County Public Works earned APWA’s 2023 Public Works Project of the Year Award in the Disaster or Emergency category, in the Less than $5 Million division. Kitsap County’s Washington Boulevard Landslide Stabilization Project constructed a horizontal drain system, stormwater improvements, and mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) slope to stabilize a stretch of historically problematic and unstable roadway traversing a deep-seated landslide complex that serves as the sole access to services for 22 homes.
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"Voting Rights are Human Rights" Forum
Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 6:00 pm
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The intersection at Old Frontier Rd NW and Greaves Way will be closed to motorized vehicles from May 30th to June 13th for construction of the new roundabout. A travel path with specific signage will be open for pedestrian and bicycle traffic to safely travel through the intersection. This project provides enhanced traffic flow and increases safety. Please plan ahead to minimize the inconvenience. Scout a route to your destination. Follow this link to view or download the 'Scout Your Route' flyer.
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Masks & COVID Testing Kits Available
Free at the Greater Kitsap Chamber & Visitor Center
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber still has some supplies available if your local business is in need of KN95 masks or COVID testing kits. Pick up your supply at both GKC locations today. Available while supplies last.
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The federal COVID-19 emergency declaration ended last Thursday, marking a new phase in our response to the virus.
Federal officials declared a national Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 on March 13, 2020, when the virus was spreading in several states. The emergency declaration relaxed some government rules and freed up funding to help agencies respond to the pandemic.
Officials decided to end the emergency declaration this spring, citing improved COVID-19 trends. Washington state's emergency order ended last fall.
"The declaration of a public health emergency allowed us to fund and create new services to prevent, diagnose, and treat this serious infection for all people at no cost to the individual during the pandemic," Kitsap Public Health District Health Officer Dr. Gib Morrow said. "It is bittersweet to see some of these measures end, but COVID is still with us, as are the lessons we have learned from it."
WHAT WILL CHANGE AFTER THE DECLARATION ENDS?
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💉 COVID-19 vaccines will still be available at doctors offices and clinics. Vaccination will remain free while federal stockpiles last and will be fully covered by most insurance plans. Kitsap Public Health offers vaccine clinics in Bremerton each Wednesday and you can find more resources at vaccinatewa.org and vaccines.gov.
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🧪 COVID-19 self tests will still be available at pharmacies and other stores. Healthcare providers will still administer tests. You may have to pay a fee for tests depending on your health insurance coverage.
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👩⚕️ COVID-19 treatments will still be available from healthcare providers. You may have to pay a fee for some treatments depending on your health insurance coverage.
Visit the CDC's website for more information about the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
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WSDOT Hosts Virtual Community Meetings
May 23 - June 7, 2023
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The Unforgotten, Run to Tahoma XII
Saturday, May 27, 2023
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Bremerton Armed Forces Day Festival & Parade
Saturday, May 20, 2023
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The Historic Roxy Presents:
Das Boot
Saturday, May 20, 2023
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Viking Fest Returns to Poulsbo
May 19-21, 2023
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KCMT Presents: Shrek the Musical
Now thru May 21, 2023
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Bremerton WestSound Symphony:
Opera on the Rhine
Sunday, May 21, 2023, 3:00 pm
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Stay in the know with what's happening for events
in Central Kitsap by checking out and liking the
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Have something to share? CLICK HERE to submit stories and
events for Tuesday's Community Connections!
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David Emmons
President/CEO
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Irene Moyer
VP, Membership & Strategic Communications
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Brenda Kelley
Tourism Coordinator
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Bremerton Office (360) 479-3579 | 4th & Pacific Downtown Bremerton
Silverdale Office (360) 692-6800 | Kitsap Mall next to Macy's
PO Box 1218 Silverdale WA 98383
If you need assistance, please contact us directly.
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