Community celebrates Pea Patch ground turning

Rep. Debra Lekanoff shares her support and belief in the project

||| FROM SUZANNE OLSON for PEA PATCH COMMUNITY CAMPUS |||

The sun was bright and the Orcas Island community came out in droves to help celebrate the Pea Patch Community Campus as the project prepares for site work to begin! More than 140 people of all ages walked onto the campus to warm up around open fire pits, enjoy hot apple cider, donuts and a short program of speakers. Attendees reviewed architectural renderings of the campus, heard updates on the project and fundraising progress.

Pea Patch Project Lead Suzanne Olson emceed the event and spread gratitude throughout the crowd for all of the organizations, donors, neighbors and elected officials who have helped bring the project to this point. Food Bank Executive Director Amanda Sparks offered a land acknowledgement, reminding us that we are stewards of this land that has been called home by indigenous peoples from time immemorial. Olson introduced new Campaign Fundraising Committee co-chairs Mike Breen and Morry Cater; and Heather Stansbury, as she steps up into the role of Food Bank Capital Campaign Fundraising Director.

The highlight of the day was hearing from our District 40 Representative Debra Lekanoff, who traveled from Olympia to mark the occasion. Rep. Lekanoff was presented with a “key to our hearts” tied to a bundle of gold ribbon that event goers had signed, as well as a batik silk scarf, handmade by Heather Stansbury, with a scene from the Pea Patch.

“This campus is for the community and you, the community, are creating it beautifully,” said Rep. Lekanoff. “You are filling my heart today. I’ve championed this project – made it my top priority last session and again this year. The project was awarded $5M last year – during a tough budget year – and I’m sponsoring your request for $800,000 this year. I believe in you and how the Pea Patch will help your community to thrive for generations.”

County Council Chair Justin Paulsen accepted a card from the OPAL Board of Trustees thanking him for his commitment to affordable housing and to the project. Lisa Byers said, “OPAL stands for ‘Of People And Land.’ Justin – you put an exclamation point on the people part of our work.”

Paulsen addressed the crowd. “The news in the world today is hard,” he began. “We can’t control what’s happening out there, but we can make a difference here in our home communities. That’s what the Pea Patch is all about.”

The honorary shovel bearers for the day included: Rep. Debra Lekanoff, Commissioner Justin Paulsen, Lisa Byers and Jeanne Beck (OPAL Community Land Trust), Bob Morris and Tracey Smith (Orcas Island Food Bank), Lindsay Jennings and Heidi Matson (Orcas Island Community Foundation), Charlie McCune and Beth Kirk (Salmonberry School). Marcela Barrientos was on hand to represent the Funhouse Commons. Once the dirt was turned, a group of children trailed up onto the knoll on the north end of the property and planted daffodil bulbs that will bloom each spring.

This event was a perfect expression of how community comes together to make a difference. Thanks to the Lion’s Club for the tent. Thanks to the Doty family for the fresh A-1 donuts! Thanks to all the volunteers who helped make this event great.

The Pea Patch Community Campus is under development at 55 Pea Patch Lane, on the historic Lavender Farm, north of Eastsound Village. The unified social services campus will include a new permanent building for our Orcas Island Food Bank with greater capacity to meet the growing needs of the community and twenty new long-term townhome rentals with supportive services to serve households with very low incomes.

The Pea Patch Community Campus is a collaboration of OPAL Community Land Trust, the Orcas Island Food Bank and the Orcas community. Learn more at bit.ly/oipeapatch.