Celebrating the labor of love on Orcas

||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION |||

Labor Day began in the 1880s as a tribute to the American labor movement, honoring the contributions of working people to our shared prosperity. That spirit feels so true here on Orcas, where so much of what makes island life work depends on people showing up and doing good work, season after season.

Today, Labor Day has also become the unofficial close of summer: a long weekend for barbecues, apple picking, the Hoedown at the Hangar, and one last lingering evening on the water before the pace of fall sets in. It’s a well-earned pause, and it’s worth remembering that the holiday’s roots are about more than a fun day off. As the late great Gloria Steinem put it, “The future depends entirely on what each of us does every day.” That’s as true of a community as it is of a movement. The island we love is shaped by the accumulated, everyday effort of the people who choose to show up for it.

So as you enjoy the long weekend, we hope you’ll also take a moment to appreciate the hardworking people who make Orcas Island what it is, and consider how you might add your own effort to that ongoing work. Whether it’s volunteering an afternoon, supporting a local business, donating to a nonprofit, or simply showing up for a neighbor, our community thrives because people choose, every day, to give a little of themselves to this beautiful place.

GiveOrcas Applications Now Open

Applications for nonprofits to be included in the Holiday GiveOrcas campaign are open now through September 23. GiveOrcas campaigns help build awareness of local organizations and raise funds to bolster the programs that make Orcas a stronger and truly thriving community. The Holiday Campaign will run from December 1 – 10, 2026. Mark your calendar for our launch event on December 2. Learn more on our website.

From all of us at OICF, we wish you a restful, joyful Labor Day weekend.