Gathering Berries
What a wild week this has been! The GiveOrcas Holiday Campaign is on fire! We had the busiest Ben Franklin Day ever, raising $49,418 through 313 donations. CRAZY! We ended up with Recovery Rides and Orcas Senior Center in First Place with 35 donations each. Second Place was a three way tie with the Healing Arts Center, the Orcas Community Resource Center, and Salmonberry School each having 24 donations. OPAL Community Land Trust was a close third with 20 donations. OICF decided this wonderful donor turnout deserved to be honored, and we gave all of these organizations prizes. See the video here. I am a total goofball!
It has also been a busy week for Flat Amanda, who has been going to concerts, popping up all over the island, even dropping through the roof of the dilapidated Children’s House shed. Today is the first Flat Photo drawing where someone will win $500 for the organization of their choice. She has been so popular we have decided to add a second Flat Photo drawing on Wednesday, December 14th. Take a selfie with Flat Amanda holding up a sign of the organization you want to support, tag it with #giveorcas, and post it on Facebook or Instagram. The organization of your choice could be the winner!
We still need a big turn out to fully fund the incredible projects in the Holiday Campaign. These programs enhance our community well-bringing in many different ways, so please donate if you haven’t yet at GiveOrcas.org. If you have, please help spread the word! Every dollar of contribution brings us closer to achieving our goal of getting everyone over the finish line.
We are going to cap off this campaign with a PARTY! I hope you can join us for an Open House on Thursday, December 15 from 3-5 at the OICF office. We will have a fire pit out front, fabulous live music, hot cider, and cool bubbly to celebrate the end of the 2022 Holiday Campaign, no matter the weather! We would love to see you.
There are a couple more great markets this weekend. The Winter Artisans Market at the Odd Fellows on Saturday and Sunday features a great lineup of local craft and food. The Children’s Christmas Market at the Library on Sunday from 12-2 will have items for $10 and under, made by local kids. I always find a few treasures!
If all of this creativity has you inspired, Moran State Park staff is hosting a swag making party on Saturday from 10-3 at the Environmental Learning Center. Dress warm!
Ho, ho, hope you have a great weekend!
Hilary