Don’t know about you, but I feel separation pangs when the Exchange comes to mind.
Where can I take left-over items from the Fidelis Flea Market? Surely someone would like my too-small sweaters, and this extra mixing bowl; I’d like to pick up some seed trays for my spring planting, and a handle for my garden rake; and a replacement for the coffee pot I broke. I’m making a list for later, when the Exchange gets up and running again. By the way, you know you can help by donating to the Exchange Phoenix Fund through Orcas Island Community Fund, OICF.us.
But how about a substitute location in the meantime (how long will that “meantime” be? ) Odd Fellows Hall is available, but things would have to be brought, and then removed each time. How about a large storage unit or two? or the former Radio Shack on North Beach Rd? or another available “for rent” space? Who is willing to organize this temporary space? Help!
Margot Shaw, West Sound
Margot, call Gracie Grantham at 298-1216. She is going to be a drop-off place for donations when The Exchange is up and running again. Who knows maybe there are things there you would need too!
I;m already saving things for the Exchange too, and would love to get them moved. Maybe there’s a storage unit that could be donated, or a hangar?
I’m going through Exchange withdrawls also. I have several bags of stuff that need a new home. Are the Exchange staff able to take over this job? Is it even reasonable to ask?
I just have to say that this is the most endearing exchange of comments I’ve heard in a long time! I don’t know why . .maybe because here we see, expressed in words,the sense of loss of something that has been a shared part of our communal life since most of us can remember. Something that brought us together, whether we were aware of it or not, in a deep, unspoken, mostly unacknowledged way is gone. We gave our stuff to whoever wanted it next, and we collected the stuff of others that they no longer wanted.We Exchanged our stuff. With each other. Now that flow has been interrupted. Our stuff is backin’ up! We want to find a way to re-establish that flow.
And, clearly, by the looks of the comments above, we will.
I published my ‘ode’ to The Exchange in the aftermath of the fire….and it is wonderful to see these comments coming from people whose names are not familiar to me, since I moved away nine years ago. I lived 20 years on Orcas and worked four of them at the facility; meeting and greeting contributors and customers; living the vision and reality on a “magic” island. While we can appreciate some one or some thing; their full import is seldom known until or unless lost to us. I surely would like to be there to help and I know The Exchange will rise again.
Would people be interested in day long “exchanges”? It might make sense to contact the school, Odd Fellows or one of the churches and see if space could be rented or donated, so the opportunity for people to participate in dropping off or picking up items could continue in the short term.
Please let me know if I can assist in the process.
The Exchange Board echoes Jane’s sentiments–it is really great to know people care so much for the Exchange!
It’s also very clear to us that a backlog of stuff is already building up in the community!
We are many weeks a way from a temporary collection facility at the site of the fire. We are many months away from a new permanent facility.
Currently the board is deeply engaged in the take-over of the transfer station, and the clean up of the Exchange site. These are our priorities right now.
That said, we are open to creative ideas regarding temporary collection programs (Rick’s, above, is interesting). Please contact us directly to discuss, and/or post your ideas on our Facebook page, where we are also providing regular progress reports.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Exchange/292979847637?ref=hl