Putt-putting for childcare

Some parents can’t afford before and after school care for their children.

Windermere Real Estate employees hope to make the cost of childcare a little more affordable for families.

Windermere’s Silverdale office is hosting a putt-putt golf tournament and barbecue at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1 at the NW Golf Range on Waaga Way/Highway 303 in Bremerton. Money raised at the event supports the YMCA “Y-Kids” program of Kitsap County.

“This is a really good way to be involved in the community,” said Marie Hooker, Windermere Realtor.

Aside from playing putt-putt golf, people may participate in a silent auction, raffle and enjoy a barbecue lunch. Auction items include a helicopter ride for three people, gift certificates to local restaurants and gift baskets.

Funds raised at the benefit event will go to scholarships for families who need help covering the cost of the “Y-Kids” before and after school enrichment programs.

“There’s a lot of families out there who can’t afford before and after school childcare,” Hooker said.

Windermere Real Estate will continue to raise money for the “Y-Kids” program through the Windermere Foundation. “Y-Kids” representatives talked to the real estate agency’s broker and later presented the program to the entire office.

“We all decided as an entire office that we wanted to be a part of it,” said Heather Benson, Windermere Realtor.

Windermere’s Silverdale and Bremerton offices will raise $5,000 each a year for the “Y-Kids” program. Benson said the fund-raiser began in June and they have already raised a large amount of money.

“Anything we raise above that obviously goes to them as well,” she said.

Every transaction made at Windermere Real Estate also helps raise money for the “Y-Kids” program and the Windermere Foundation.

“For every transaction that comes through the office $10 goes to the foundation,” Hooker said.

Benson’s two children are in the “Y-Kids” program at Armin Jahr Elementary School in Bremerton. She said the program allows her to work and know her children are being supervised.

“My kids are actually in it,” she said. “It’s a really good program, they really like it. It’s just really good for the kids.”

Single players pay $25 to participate in the putt-putt golf event and teams of four pay $90. About 14 teams are currently signed up and Windermere will only accept 18 teams. Teams must sign up for the event by Monday.

Businesses also can sponsor one of the 18 holes at the NW Golf Range. The cost is $50 per hole with proceeds going to the “Y-Kids” program. Donations of goods and services for the silent auction are being accepted. Contact the Windermere Silverdale office at (360) 692-6102 for more information.

“We wanted to help families and the best place to start would be the children,” Hooker said.

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