||| FROM BERTO GANDARA for EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH |||
The Community Resource Center. Mercy Flights. The Food Bank. Safe San Juans. And the Pea Patch Project of the Orcas Island Community Foundation. These local nonprofits received a total of $5,250 this past week from Emmanuel Episcopal Parish in Eastsound, as the church shared proceeds of its 2023 Market Day sale.
“Market Day is one way we help support our broader community,” said Berto Gandara, Emmanuel’s rector. “We are grateful to the hundreds of Orcas residents and visitors who take home treasures from Market Day. And we’re grateful to be able to share the income from that sale with other Orcas nonprofits.”
Emmanuel’s Market Day, an outdoor rummage sale, has been held each July since 1940. Originally created to raise funds for the church roof, the parish now divides the proceeds between building maintenance and outreach to other Orcas island nonprofits.
“Orcas Island is a wonderful community. We’re glad to be part of it,” Gandara said.
Established in 1885, Emmanuel offers use of its facilities to Orcas nonprofits without charge for special events. Parishioners host a free dinner open to everyone the last Thursday of each month (Dinner Kitchen, 5-6:30 p.m.) and free movies with popcorn the second Thursday of each month (Movie Night, 7 p.m.). In summer, Emmanuel’s noon music concerts raise funds to send Orcas students to music camp. Church Garden Gang volunteers tend the grounds year-round, and welcome many, many tourists to Eastsound and Emmanuel’s labyrinth.
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Thank you for the support continuing Emmanuel Episcopal Church has provided to the OAA Mercy Flight program over the years. It is very much appreciated.
Jack Becker, Treasurer
Orcas Aviation Association
PO Box 712
Eastsound, WA 98245