Letter to the Editor: Orcas Island Recreation Program needs your help

Due to San Juan County’s budget shortfall, the Orcas Island Recreation Program has had a 100% cut from County funding this year. This amounts to a $16,500 cut, and we are relying on donations and user fees to cover all of our costs for this current year. With talk of the upcoming Orcas Parks and Rec Taxing District vote, community attention is appropriately focused towards the future. We look forward to your support when that time comes. However, Orcas Rec is in immediate financial trouble and we need your donations now to keep our current programs funded.

I encourage the community to give as much or as little as they can to help keep this program alive for the future. Anything helps, $10, $25, $100
It all adds up, and it all is appreciated!

We received a donation from 8-year-old Paris Wilson last week for $49. Paris has been playing her violin at the Farmers Market and asking for donations. She then chooses a non-profit to donate all of her earnings to, and last week Orcas Rec was fortunate enough to get her help. This is the second time that Paris has donated her violin money to our program and we are grateful for her contributions. This is just one great example of what a wonderful and thoughtful community we live in.

Orcas Rec hosts a variety of programs for children and adults. Programs include fall soccer, cooking classes, adult volleyball, field trips, music classes, kids’ theater, various art classes and much more. In the past we have held swimming lessons with Suzy Frank at the Orcas Athletic Center and this year we have a waiting list of youngsters all lined up for November. Unfortunately, if we do not raise enough money between now and the end of the year we may have to cut our swimming program and other programs as well.

We need community support right now and we hope you are willing to get out your check book and make a donation as soon as possible. Please support the Orcas Island Recreation Program by sending your donation to PO Box 1644, Eastsound WA 98245. Thank you for your continued support during this time, we truly appreciate all of your help

Linda Sheridan
Orcas Rec Coordinator