OPAL Honors Rita and Steve Bailey at 22nd Annual Meeting

The Bailey family, clockwise from top: Steve Bailey, Julia, Sabrina and Rita. Son Christian is not pictured.

By Judy Whiting

Orcas community members Rita and Steve Bailey were honored by OPAL Community Land Trust at its 22nd annual meeting on March 28. The Baileys received the Sky Award recognizing volunteer service that builds and sustains community.

“It would be hard to find two people on the island who do more for our community,” said Helen Bee, OPAL trustee, in presenting the award. The Baileys were honored for their work in promoting dental health through Steve’s dental practice, which is the only one in the county that accepts children covered by DSHS, and through Rita’s leadership in bringing the Medical Teams International dental van to Orcas for four visits this year.

In addition, the Baileys’ community involvement extends to the “Packs for Kids” program that provides weekend food for school children in need, this year’s Orkila Partners in Youth scholarship campaign, the Community Band and Orcatrazz, the Funhouse Commons and Orcas Center boards, and being an EMT.

In accepting the award, Steve, who moved here with his family six years ago, said, “We like the small-town feel of Orcas and being part of it. It’s a real pleasure to help out as much as we can. To us it’s not work; it’s fun and just what we like to do.”

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

During the brief business meeting, OPAL housing manager Julie Brunner was recognized for her many valuable contributions during her 10 years on the OPAL staff, and Kari Van Gelder was honored for her nine years of service on the OPAL board of trustees. Helen Bee, Allen Smith and Penny Sharp Sky were re-elected to three-year terms as trustees, and Douglas Ellis and Ian Van Gelder were newly elected to the board.

OPAL stands for “Of People and Land,” representing a commitment to protecting natural resources while providing permanently affordable homes for people who are vital to the Orcas Island community. Incorporated in 1989, OPAL now provides homes for 100 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: www.opalclt.org. For further information, call OPAL at (360) 376-3191.