Orcas Angels Bring Computer Hardware

— by Ed Sutton —

Within the Orcas Island community, there are several service groups that regularly reach out to neighbors with an assisting hand. One of those groups is the Orcas Angels. Formed about eight years ago by a caring group of Orcas women, the Angels have reached out to help students advance their education.

According to Angel Liz Longworth, the current emphasis of the non-profit group is to assist students in the Orcas school community by providing custom computer equipment that the student needs for continuing education in college or a trade school. In partnership with OISD and a very generous donor, the Orcas Angels continue this program, known as “Tech for Success.”

This program started in November 2011 and has donated over $15,000 for 13 complete custom computer systems. These computers are customized for each recipient’s college plan/career of choice.

Applications for the five computers awarded each year are coordinated by OISD’s Julie Pinardi. Any senior student from the Orcas Island Public School, OASIS High School, or the Orcas Christian School may apply; each student must also submit an essay highlighting a plan for continuing their education. The deadline for applying for a new computer which includes a printer and appropriate software is February 25, 2016.

Seniors can pick up an application from the Orcas High School office or download a copy from www.orcasangels.org

Jill Blankenship, a founding member of the Orcas Angels, emphasized that the recipients of those grants are made well aware of the expectation that they will give back to the community in kind for the generosity of the program.

Contributions to the program can be made at The Islanders Bank.