Charleston Newsletter, Volume 3, Issue 5
Community Spotlight: Bill Dewey & KC HELP
For Bill Dewey, service to others has always been a calling. As the Managing Director of the Bremerton–Knights Community Hospital Equipment Lend Program (KC HELP) serving Kitsap Peninsula and beyond, Bill continues a lifelong tradition of helping people in need—a value rooted deeply in his upbringing and faith.
Bill grew up in a family where caring for others was simply a way of life. His mother, a devoted Roman Catholic, not only ministered to members of her church but also reached out to others in the community who needed support. His father a convert to Catholicism, instilled in Bill the importance of compassion and service beyond church walls.
When Bill was between the ages of six and nine, his father worked in Turkey as a mining engineer in the coal industry. Although Turkey is predominantly Muslim, Bill’s family and other European expatriates were allowed to practice their faith and attend services in a small chapel. When their priest was arrested, Bill’s parents continued supporting fellow parishioners by hosting gatherings and services in private homes—an act of courage that demonstrated their unwavering commitment to faith and community.
Inspired by his parents’ example, Bill devoted 25 years to military service in the U.S. Navy, retiring with the rank of Captain. After his retirement, he quickly became involved in numerous volunteer organizations, including the Kitsap County Tourism Bureau, Habitat for Humanity, Knights of Columbus supporting Easter Seals Camp Stand By Me, Food Drives for local food banks and community initiatives such as Coats for Kids.
Bill’s faith led him to join the Knights of Columbus, an organization grounded in the principles of charity, unity, and fraternity. These values strongly resonated with Bill’s own commitment to service. In fact, service through the Knights runs in his family—his great-grandfather was a charter member in 1902, grandfather and Uncle were active members in their communities.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bill and fellow members of the Knights of Columbus partnered with local food banks to prepare and deliver meals to shelters, firefighters, hospital workers. At one point, volunteers were preparing more than 100 meals each week for those serving the community.
Bill’s connection to KC HELP began in 2020 when he started helping Larry Devlin (executive director & spouse Kathy Devlin who brought KC HELP to Kitsap in 2017). Larry and Kathy were operating the Hospital Equipment Lending Program at locations on Bainbridge Island and Poulsbo. Inspired by their work, Bill began volunteering with the program.
One early experience left a lasting impact on him. Bill received a call from a woman whose 102-year-old husband was being discharged from the hospital. They needed a way to safely get him into their home while using a wheelchair. After assessing the situation, Bill realized that installing a ramp would be difficult. Drawing on his engineering background, he suggested a wheelchair lift instead. When he called Larry to ask if such a lift was available, it turned out one had recently been donated in Port Angeles. Bill along with four others installed the wheelchair lift at the couple’s home, and helped restore their independence. KC HELP later received a heartfelt letter of gratitude from the wife. Her husband went on to live two more years, reaching the remarkable age of 104.
Experiences like this inspired Bill to expand the program’s presence in Bremerton. With support from Merle Catoio of the Central Kitsap Food Bank, KC HELP was able to begin operating out of a barn in Chico. In 2021, Joe Crain (executive Director) of Bremerton St. Vincent de Paul offered additional space, creating a powerful partnership between the two organizations.
Today, KC HELP serves approximately 200–300 people each month and distributes more than 6,000 pieces of medical equipment each year, having served over 9,800 clients since 2020. But the organization offers far more than equipment. Volunteers often meet people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Bill recalls one woman who traveled from Portland to care for her aging father. When she arrived looking for a walker, the emotional weight of her situation overwhelmed her. At KC HELP, she received not only the equipment she needed, but also compassion, encouragement, and a listening ear. As Bill often says, that is what service and ministry are truly about.
KC HELP currently has about 40 volunteers who help repair, clean, and distribute equipment. Therapists, physicians, home health nurses and CARES teams frequently refer patients to the program because individuals can obtain equipment immediately without the delays or complexities of insurance and those with no insurance. Equipment is loaned directly to individuals at no charge, with the hope that it will be returned when no longer needed so others may benefit.
The organization also partners with the volunteer group known as the “BlueBills of Kitsap,” who assist with installing equipment in people’s homes when needed. KC HELP has now established a permanent home in the Charleston Business District. The organization recently purchased a building at 939 N. Callow Avenue in Bremerton and is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
The Charleston Business District is proud to welcome KC HELP to Callow Avenue and looks forward to building a strong partnership that supports both the organization and the surrounding community. Bill shares the community’s enthusiasm and believes the Charleston area has tremendous potential as businesses and residents work together toward revitalization.
KC HELP relies on volunteers, donations, sponsors, and grants to continue serving Kitsap County. The organization works closely with hospitals, case managers, and medical providers who refer individuals in need of equipment and support.
For more information, to volunteer, or to donate:
• Phone: 360-329-2461 Website: www.kchelpkitsap.org Facebook: facebook.com/kchelpwestwa
Charleston Community Comes Together for Clean-Up and Spring Fling
The Charleston community recently came together for a successful Callow Clean-Up, with volunteers lending their time and energy to help beautify the district and show pride in the neighborhood. The effort helped refresh the corridor and prepare the area for the upcoming Spring Fling celebration. Spe-cial thanks go to everyone who volunteered their time, donated plants for the planters, and to the City of Bremerton for providing the tools and support that made the clean-up possible.
Following the clean-up, the Charleston Business District hosted a vibrant Spring Fling celebration that brought the community together for an afternoon of music, vendors, and family-friendly activities. The event’s success was made possible by the many volunteers and partners who helped organize it.
Special recognition goes to Reama Schuldt for coordinating the outstanding group of vendors, and to Danielle Rimbert for arranging the live music from Agents of Vibration and Tacomarama. Local businesses also joined in by offering crafts and activities for attendees. With beautiful weather, lively music, and a wide variety of vendors sharing their products and in formation, the Spring Fling proved to be a wonderful celebration of community spirit in Charleston.
New Planters for the Charleston District
Thank you to the City of Bremerton for providing additional planters to help beautify our neighborhood. The yellow marks on the map above indicate
the proposed locations for the new planters. Please review the map and let us know if you anticipate any concerns with a planter being placed in front of your business. Your feedback is important as we work to enhance the appearance of the district.
We are also looking for volunteers who may be interested in “adopting” a planter by helping maintain the plants and keeping them healthy throughout
the season. This is a wonderful way to support our shared goal of keeping the Charleston area green, welcoming, and vibrant. Thank you for your continued support of our community.