— from Kate Long for Orcas Island Community Foundation —
The Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) capped the 2019 GiveOrcas Campaign with a festive celebration at Emmanuel Parish Hall on Wednesday, May 22. There was a great deal to celebrate as over 600 donors contributed and $237,000 was raised to support the many great programs in the catalog this year. Thanks to these grants, Orcas grows more resilient as the grants support a wide variety of programs serving the full span of residents.
Orcas youth will continue to have access to high quality preschools, more art in the classroom, and social and emotional support in school. Neighbors in need will continue to connect to services at Orcas Community Resource Center and Safe San Juans. Orcas Seniors will have better access to foot care and transportation. For a complete list of 2019 Give Orcas grant awards, go to https://oicf.us/nonprofits/annual-grants/ .
The Orcas Island High School Senior Class announced their philanthropic awards as well. Each year, a local donor provides the graduating class with $5000 and gives them the opportunity to support the programs that have made a difference in their lives. This year, they selected OPAL Community Land Trust, the Orcas Island Food Bank, Orcas Recycling Services/The Exchange, the Orcas Island Farmers Market Association, and SAFE San Juans. Each organization will receive $1000.
OICF thanks everyone who participated in this year’s Give Orcas campaign. Working together, we a building a stronger community.
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