OPAL Honors Molly Roberts at Annual Meeting

Molly Roberts (right) was honored as this year’s recipient of the Sky Award for volunteer service that builds and sustains community at OPAL Community Land Trust’s 23rd annual meeting. Presenting the award was Helen Bee, (left) OPAL trustee and past president of the board.

From OPAL Community Land Trust

Longtime Orcas resident and registered nurse Molly Roberts was honored with the Sky Award recognizing volunteer service during OPAL Community Land Trust’s 23rd annual meeting on May 2.

The Sky Award, which has been presented since 1998, recognizes those who, following the example of Michael Sky and Penny Sharp Sky, have contributed significant volunteer service in support of building and sustaining community on Orcas Island.

“Since 1997 Molly has generously volunteered her skills to bring comfort and care to the dying in her role as Orcas Island’s resident hospice nurse,” said Helen Bee, OPAL trustee, in presenting the award. For the past 10 years, Roberts has also been a member of Orcas Island Fire and Rescue’s Critical Incident Team, which is available to assist first-responders with stress management after a particularly difficult emergency call.

Roberts, who first moved to Orcas in 1971 and taught at the elementary school before completing her nursing education, became a volunteer EMT in 1985 and was named Orcas EMT of the Year in 1986. From 1997 to 2001 she served on the board of the Orcas Island Community Foundation and was a member of the Grants Committee. In addition, she has been an active volunteer backstage at Orcas Center.

During the brief business meeting Judy Whiting was recognized for her five years on the OPAL staff and her many valuable contributions as publications and outreach manager. Rollie Sauer, Vicki Brems and Suzanne Olson were re-elected to three-year terms as trustees. Bob Gamble, a former trustee, has rejoined the board and was elected to a three-year term.

It was reported that last year 311 households and businesses supported OPAL with contributions of $384,457, including $89,195 of in-kind or property donations. In addition, OPAL was awarded federal and state grants of $1,163,848. With these monies OPAL was able to renovate the 22-unit Lavender Hollow apartments and three donated houses, purchase and renovate a bank-owned home, facilitate the resale of five existing OPAL homes, provide homebuyer education and housing counseling to 85 households, and administer the delivery of rental and energy assistance to 50 households.

OPAL stands for “Of People and Land,” representing a commitment to protecting natural resources while making permanently affordable homes available to people who are vital to the Orcas Island community. Incorporated in 1989, OPAL serves 124 rental and ownership households and continues to accept applications from people who are not able to purchase a house on the open market. For more information, go to opalclt.org or call OPAL at (360) 376-3191.