— by Ayn Gailey —
Funhouse Commons staff and volunteers and the children they support gave a passionate presentation and request for Orcas community members to step up as part of their brand new “Superheroes For Super Kids” program and donate today to help them qualify for a $20k matching donation made available by one of our very own gracious citizens.
Beyond matching the grant, “Superheroes for Super Kids” understand the impact of sustainable funding and make long-term investments to instigate change and fix problems in the Orcas Island community.
They also believe in the Funhouse Commons mission: to serve the urgent needs of young people on Orcas Island and strengthen community bonds by providing a safe and stimulating environment where all can learn, discover, create, socialize and be heard.
Whether one has children or not, it’s clear the Funhouse, which services 54 percent of all children and teens on Orcas, benefits the entire community. After all, happy, educated, emotionally stable children who feel connected to their community make for the kinds of citizens, work force, and neighbors we all want on our island.
The informational luncheon and program kick-off was hosted by Sara Cunningham Farish and the Outlook Inn and included speakers who highlighted their personal positive and transformative experiences with the Funhouse Commons.
Staff and mentors who spoke about their personal experiences included Sara Cunningham Farish, Krista Bouchey, Emilie Gincig, and Dorothy Osborne. Community kids who gleefully shared their experience included elementary students Callie, Silas, Monse, and highschooler Yusuf, who is currently a junior at Orcas Island High. Yusuf shared how important the Funhouse was to his feeling accepted by the community when he and his mother moved here from Indonesia when he was only nine years old. Speakers shared stories about financially strapped parents who would not be able to support their family without the Funhouse there to help. There were also stories of how the Funhouse Mentors have changed the lives of children on our island by being a stable and supportive friend to kids whose parents are looking for more role models for their children.
And one especially important highlight that speaks volumes about our island and its unique spirit of compassion and community is that the Funhouse never turns away any kid from any class or program because they can’t afford it. They can do this because of the donations each and every one of us makes on behalf of the kids, the future of our island.
To give a donation and help the Funhouse build its Superheroes For Super Kids program and earn the $20k matching grant, please visit www.funhousecommons.org/superheroes. The funhouse can also be reached by calling 360-376-7177
