Orcas Island Volunteer Spotlight
April is National Volunteer Month!
Ken Carrasco
Friends of the San Juans
Ken supported Friends of the San Juans with six years of steady and thoughtful leadership on our Board of Directors. He served as President for the final two years of his term, guiding the organization through change and growth as we work to bring people and nature together to protect the San Juans and Salish Sea. Ken has also continued to volunteer since completing his Board term. From captaining safety boats to assisting with community science trainings, Ken’s dedication to shoreline ecosystems and the Salish Sea has benefited Friends of the San Juans, and the broader island community, in countless ways.
Jen Taylor
Orcas Island Historical Society
Volunteers have been an integral part of the Orcas Island Historical Museums for 75 years. Jen Taylor is one of the amazing volunteers at OIHM that we cannot do without. Jen is a reliable, cheerful, and dedicated volunteer who has spent the winter overhauling and re-organizing our administrative filing cabinets – a major project that still continues! We are grateful for Jen’s work that enables the Museum to continue to preserve and celebrate Orcas Island’s unique history. Jen is patient, steadfast, and organized thanks to her background in her background in management, compliance and quality improvement. Thank you Jen!
Bill Symes
IOSA
Bill Symes found IOSA the way many great volunteers do — by caring deeply about the place he calls home. In just a few years, he has gone from Tier One volunteer responder to board member to vice president of the board. But what’s most remarkable about Bill’s journey is how naturally each chapter led to the next. That instinct to show up and tell the truth led him to a role uniquely his own: putting IOSA’s work into words. Bill began writing and publishing stories about IOSA and our response in the press, helping our community understand what oil spill preparedness actually looks like — and why it matters. It’s a contribution that multiplies everything else we do. IOSA is proud to recognize Bill during National Volunteer Month. We are grateful for his hands-on service, his voice, and his leadership as our board vice president. Thank you, Bill — for showing up in every way that counts!
Lynda Johnson
Orcas Island Library District
Lynda has been a wonderful library volunteer for many years, spending innumberable Friday afternoons in the stacks, diligently reshelving and organizing books (even in the children’s area!) She has been an integral part of the volunteer team and a pleasure to work with.
Lynnette Wood
Orcas Senior Center
Lynnette Wood has been a dedicated volunteer with the Orcas Senior Center since 2017, contributing countless hours to help build the organization into what it is today. She has served in multiple leadership roles, including Board President and Treasurer, demonstrating both her commitment and versatility. Through her years of service, Lynnette has played an instrumental role in strengthening the Senior Center’s capacity to serve our Island seniors.
Tom McDonough
Orcas Center
Tom is our regular projectionist for Met Live, National Theatre Live, Threshold Film Series, OIFF Classic Film Series, and the OI Film Festival! In addition, he’s regularly running our video recordings for shows, operating Qlab show control for lights and sound, and recently joined one of our board committees. He is by far our volunteer with the most hours logged, and we are so grateful to have him in our midst.
Dave Shinstrom – Orcas Community Resource Center
Dave has been a pillar of the Orcas Island community for decades — first as a primary care physician who served island residents for 28 years, 18 of which he served as director of the nonprofit Orcas Family Health Center, and now as a member of a small but mighty crew at the heart of Coates Cabinet, the Resource Center’s community hygiene bank. Week after week, he shows up to restock shelves, sort donations, and greet every person who walks through the door with a welcoming smile. He also dedicates one day a week to delivering Meals on Wheels for the Senior Center. Dave’s commitment to this community is truly inspiring, and we are deeply grateful for all that he continues to give.
Mary Pugh – Orcas Island Library District
Mary has had a place in the heart of library for many years. Since retiring from library administration she has worked with the Friends of the Library, serving as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors and working behind the scenes in both daily operations and pursuing grants and opportunities for funding. We are so thankful for Mary’s efforts, and for her commitment to the library’s success.
John Fleischer – Island Rides
John has been an instrumental part of Island Rides for several years, serving as a dependable and steady presence each week. As the Friday anchor, he consistently ensures that schedules run smoothly and approaches every ride with flexibility, patience, and attentiveness to clients’ needs. John is friendly and well-liked by all of our riders and reflects the spirit of our growing organization. In addition to his regular driving, John has generously supported ADA trips in the van and encourages and assists our staff and other volunteers. His quiet dedication and willingness to help wherever needed exemplify the very best of community service and we are lucky to have him as part of our team!
Becky Hawley – IOSA
Becky Hawley is IOSA’s Tier One Response Island Lead for Orcas Island — a frontline volunteer role that puts her at the heart of oil spill response in her community. For more than two decades, Becky has shown up for her island, her neighbors, and the waters and wildlife she loves. Her commitment goes beyond training and readiness. When the vessel El Capitan sank in West Sound in November 2023, Becky was there — providing on-scene operational leadership during an active incident response. That kind of calm, skilled presence in a real emergency is exactly what IOSA’s volunteer-first model depends on, and Becky exemplifies it. IOSA is proud to recognize Becky during National Volunteer Month. We are deeply grateful for her dedication, her expertise, and her tireless care for the San Juan County community and environment. Thank you, Becky — for your years of service to IOSA and for everything you do!
If you would like to nominate your nonprofit’s incredible volunteers, click the button on the right.
