The Orcas Island Education Foundation is making a $5000 match grant in hopes of challenging other donors to support winter sports at the public high school.

Because of state funding cuts, the school district’s budget did not include winter and spring sports.

“Realizing that sports plays such a fundamental role in the health and academic growth of so many students, OIEF has decided to pledge $5000 toward supporting high school winter sports, if it is matched by other donations from the community,” said OIEF president Janet Brownell. “For some students, sports is the reason to go to school, to show up in class, to do homework. It is a way to get them to care about the academic pursuit as much as they do about athletics. For that reason, the OIEF board decided that it should step up and make this challenge grant.”

It also allows the Booster club time to continue fundraising for spring sports.

”In order for high school basketball programs to occur this season, donations in the amount of $11,000 are needed,” Brownell said. “With the match pledge from OIEF, there is still about $6000 needed from community donors.”

To make a donation for the “Booster Fund” at the Orcas Island Community Foundation, go to www.oicf.us. Donations can also be mailed to OIEF/Winter Sports, POB 782, Eastsound, WA 98245 or go to www.OIEF.org.