We are in the home stretch of the GiveOrcas Campaign.  Thanks to the 603 neighbors who have contributed so far.  We are 75% funded with three days to go.  It is really exciting to see so many new donors to the process — over 200 so far! Eleven of the proposals are...

Wow!  What a great start to GiveOrcas!  We have raised over $136,000 in the first 4 days — 36% of the total requests.  Three proposals are fully funded — Kwiaht, Salmonberry School, and Fresh Bucks through OCRC. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far....

The 2022 GiveOrcas Campaign goes live at 12:01 am on Monday, May 2nd.  Let me know if you would like a sneak preview and I will send you a list of the 27 proposals included in this year’s catalog. This year is the largest campaign so far. After two years dealing with...

Shelter   Each year, counties across the state conduct a Point In Time (PIT) count to identify community members who are either un- or under-sheltered. The 2022 San Juan County PIT Homeless Count identified 146 people who have no stable place to live, an increase...

Northern Heights Apartments   I was delighted to hand deliver a $100,000 donation to OPAL Community Land Trust this week.  This contribution will be used to purchase the Northern Heights Apartments (across from the Library on Rose Street), preserving 12...

Yesterday's fire in Friday Harbor (Photo: Kevin Ranker, Orcas Island EMS Student)   Yesterday's fire on San Juan Island was devastating for so many.  The Economic Development Council has launched a fund to support those affected.  Contributions can be made here. ...

The fog hanging in Crow Valley in the morning   The results of the CF Insights Columbus Survey for 2020 have been released. OICF is ranked #1 out of 207 community foundations nationally for per capita gifts with a rate of $1,266.  That represents an annual...

Bob Waunch looking over the flight simulator in use   I had the pleasure of attending the ribbon cutting for the Airhawks flight simulator this past weekend.  What an amazing machine and what a lovely experience.  The simulator will be used to supplement...

Lum Farm lambs (Photo by Jenn Staplin)   It is the season of renewal.  Baby lambs are prancing in the fields, daffodils are opening up in the rain, and the trees are starting to bud out.  I suspect that you, like me, are ready to start branching out as well. It...