||| FROM ROBERT WAUNCH for MERCY FLIGHT ORCAS ISLAND |||
When the Orcas Island Lions Club heard the Mercy Flight Orcas Island program was running out of funds for fuel reimbursement it stepped up immediately by creating a $2,000 Matching Fund. What a perfect example of how Orcas Islanders rally and take care of each other.
This valuable island service has been operating since the 90s, flying many of us back and forth to the mainland for emergency medical treatment, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. Mercy Flights Orcas Island, also flies family members in emergencies, providing timely reliable transportation to specialist’s appointments when the ferry is not available, or not operating on time.
How many flights are flown a year? Here are the number of “fuel reimbursed” flights:
- 2019 – 201
- 2020 – 188
- 2021 – 166
- 2022 – Jan – July 146
In addition to fuel reimbursed flights, over 100 additional flights per year are donated by our pilots. The Orcas community is fortunate to have a group of dedicated pilots that provide this critical service.
However, the fuel fund is running low and projected to be depleted by the end of the year. When might it be your turn to need this neighborly service?
You can help by contributing to the Lion’s Club Mercy Flight Matching Fund. Your donation can be sent to the Orcas Island Lions Foundation, PO Box 1212, Eastsound, WA 98245.
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