Bunny vs. Polar Bear

||| FROM HILARY CANTY |||

The Battle of the Ages is this Saturday at Moran State Park, when the Polar Bear takes on the Easter Bunny!  Well, not quite. But the Lions are hosting their Egg Hunt starting at 10 and the Orcas Island Rowing Association is having their Polar Bear Plunge at 11, both at Cascade Lake and both great ways to start your weekend!

This week the Orcas Island Community Foundation kicked off the 2024 Youth Philanthropy Project at Orcas High. The Senior Class is given the opportunity to distribute $10,000 to organizations and programs within the community. The process gives the students a chance to reflect on their values, consider what sustains the community, and give back to the nonprofits that provided support to them over the years. 

It is always interesting to learn what each class decides is their priority for funding. Last year, they selected six organizations: Mercy Flight, Friends of the Library, the Island Reproductive Health Initiative, the Animal Protection Society, the Booster Club and Safe San Juans. Each of these organizations had a significant impact on one or more of the students and they were so grateful to be able to give back.

This year’s selection will be announced at the Spring GiveOrcas celebration on May 23rd. The Youth Philanthropy project is funded by a community member who appreciates the positive impact giving has made in his life and in the community and wishes to provide that experience to the students. What a great lesson to carry forward.

The Pea Patch Steering Committee is hosting a series of conversations about the project and gathering input from the community. They invite all community members who are interested to join them on Saturday, April 6th from 2-4 at the Public School cafeteria. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the organizations that are involved and help envision the future of the Pea Patch Community Campus. I hope to see you there.

Happy Spring!