— from Bob Phalan —
He quietly slipped out of view.
As long as I have known him, Jim Bredouw has been doing something to help his community – especially the children of Orcas Island. Soon after he landed here in the late 80’s Jim saw a need for a place for kids to gather and the Funhouse was born. Never asking for any public money, Jim got it done. The land was purchased, the building built, a board assembled, funds raised privately (mostly his own to begin with) and the vision was fulfilled.
Once it was up and running Jim excused himself from any control and left it in very good hands. Now, 16 years later, the Funhouse stands tall as a safe place for all ages. From the Science Fair to teen night to Grad Night and everything in between the Funhouse has become an invaluable asset for our community.
Having accomplished that mission Jim moved on to the next logical step – helping to create and fund a Parks & Recreation District. Again, it was mostly about the kids. Programs and fields were in dire need of support and upgrading. Without proper funding the original Orcas Rec was stumbling.
Didier Gincig had done an amazing job for many years cobbling together great programs for our community. I was a member of the original advisory committee and witnessed Didier work miracles with the little money with which he had to work. Then the “crash” of 2008 came along and the donations became more and more difficult to obtain and yet we had vital programs that none of us wanted to see dissolve.
Like Mighty Mouse, in stepped Mr. Bredouw, along with Bob Eagan, Ian Lister, Vicky Vandermay and Martha Farish and an all new and improved board was elected to “save the day” and save the day they did. Meeting after meeting after meeting it took these 5 souls years to put together a taxing district proposal to help fund the Orcas Parks and Recreation District. Because of their dedication and clear message the voters approved a levy. We now have a healthy and vibrant program which has recently taken responsibility for the much needed care and maintenance of Buck Park.
Now after another mission is accomplished, Jim is quietly slipping out of view again having submitted his resignation to the Orcas Parks & Rec board. Jim has been a guiding light and role model-both as a community minded guy and a friend to so many.
Even though it is the last thing on his mind I hope y’all are able take a minute and thank Jim. I am looking forward to his next “mission”!
I agree with everything above! Just that the picture of Jim in the Mighty Mouse tights is a little hard to get out of my head!
Thanks for all you’ve done Jim!
I don’t personally know Jim or his family but I am so thankful for each hour of enrichment that his endeavors have provided for the youth of Orcas. In the past I have walked out the doors of the Funhouse filled with emotion over the stories I have watched unfold. Many of my forever kids I adopted there… in the amazing creative and safe surroundings of what several kiddos call home. Thank you Jim…for every smile and every foot forward that you personally believed in.
I’m running for Jim Bredouw Fan Club President! The most consistently friendly, trusting, generous, and funny guy I have ever met. A role model for me on so many fronts. So grateful to know The Bunz!
We are HUGE admirers of Jim (and Annie)! We offer great gratitude for their ongoing commitments, financial and otherwise, to our very fortunate community! (Say “hi” to your Grandmother for us, Jim!) Hugs to you both!
Ditto sincerely, our family is and has been grateful for the efforts and kindness bestowed upon so many island children. Thank You Jim
Thanks Jim, first from us, then from our children and now from our grandchildren. You have left an awesome legacy.
I am singing! (You know–for the unsung…) Thank you Jim, so much, for all you have, are, and no doubt will give to the people of our community…Such a pleasure to know you.
Jake, I may challenge you for getting to be the Jim Bredouw Fan Club President! Jim has always been one of my personal heroes! Thank you Jim for all that you have done in the community, and for all of the joy that you bring from you just being you.
I’m a big fan of the Bredouw family too! Wonderful people, all of them. We were neighbors for many years and they were definitely a factor in our decision to move to the area; with neighbors like them, how could we go wrong? Kudos to you Jim & Anne!
At the risk of making them blush with embarrassment at all the clamor, I have to add my voice and say that this couple is one of the kindest, most genuine, and most generous that I have known, not only in big gestures like the Funhouse, but in innumerable small (and not so small) ways. It is a pleasure to know them and their family.
Thanks for sharing the reality of the Bredouw family and their support and enhancement of our community. They are generous and importantly delightful and real people.
Well, yeah Jim’s all right. Of course, hell, I taught the boy everything he knows. Ain’t that what a daddy’s for?
That claim would hang together better if Jim hadn’t started beating me at chess shortly after his ninth birthday.
There’s not much I can add to what you good folks have said about Number One Son.
You can just imagine what a joy it’s been to watch him size up a tough chore, ace it and move on.
Jim’s personal goal seems to have been to find a new way to make things better for a bunch of people he’ll probably never meet.
Like I’ve said to the boy about a thousand times: Way to go, Jimbo!
I second all that has been said in praise of Jim especially from Jim’s dad Jerry, who ought to know. And Anne – this is as much about you as about Jim. Thank you for all you have given to this community – most of all yourselves, your real/no-pretense kindness and goodness shown by so many acts of integrity – you give yourselves and your hearts to us, to the children. When I think of you both, I think of Grace in action.
Mr. Bredouw will forever be a mentor to me! He has been an Amazing example in my life. Getting to learn from him has been far more than just geeking out too! He is character building & approaches each situation with a kind & patient heart. He & his Family are Truly a gift to this world. Thank You Jim & The Bredouw Family!