Birkenfeld fund doles dollars

Organizations in Kitsap County this week netted the bulk of $1.2 million in grants from the trust of a Bainbridge Island man who died in 2005.

In all, 11 organizations received $925,000 from the C. Keith Birkenfeld Memorial Trust, according to a release from the Seattle Foundation’s Board of Trustees, which is responsible for distributing the money.

Island recipients include West Sound Wildlife Shelter ($108,000), Bainbridge Historical Society ($30,000) Bainbridge Performing Arts ($25,000) and Bainbridge Chorale ($3,000).

Birkenfeld, a former teacher who made his $17 million fortune in real estate, was raised in Bremerton, but spent the last 25 years of his life on Bainbridge.

Among other stipulations, his will said priority should be given to county causes when determining how to distribute money.

These grants are the first of 20 annual distributions from the trust. The next application period begins in January. For more information, visit www.seattlefoundation.org.

-Chad Schuster

Blood center seeks donors

The Puget Sound Blood Center and Bainbridge First Baptist Church are seeking donors to replenish summer blood supplies.

The church, located at the corner of State Route 305 and Madison Avenue, will host a blood drive on July 19 from noon to 3 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Donors must be healthy, 18 years old or older and weigh at least 110 lbs. Youths ages 16 and 17 can donate with a signed blood center parental permission waiver.

Donating blood takes about one hour and has the potential to save three lives and assist people suffering from cancer or vehicle accidents, according to the blood center.

For more information, call 842-3022.