Islanders are holding a benefit for former Orcas resident Peter Rutledge, who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in 2011.

The benefit auction will be held at Rosario Resort and Spa in the Beach House (formerly known as the Discovery House) on Thursday, July 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. All of the proceeds from the silent and live auction go to the Rutledge family.

Auction items include numerous local gift certificates, a home rental for a week in Kauai, summer camp at Orkila and Colman, meals at Seattle restaurants, Sounder/Mariner tickets and more. To donate, contact Elisa Wiscomb at ewiscomb@hotmail.com.

Tickets are $15 per person, on sale at Darvill’s, The Lower Tavern and Island Hardware. Hors d’ oeuvres included with purchase of ticket. No host bar.

Rutledge is a 1997 graduate of Orcas High School. Both he and his younger sister, Laine, attended Orcas Public Schools where their mother, Kathi, taught for many years. Peter was an all-state player in both football and basketball. He was also co-valedictorian his graduating year.

Peter earned his bachelor’s degree from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash. and then spent two years in AmeriCorps, working in Petersburg, Fla. It was there he met a first grade teacher, Cari Carter, who became his wife and mother of their two children, Tyson, age two, and Luke, age six months. Peter then went on to graduate school at UC Berkeley.

Peter was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in early 2011, and he received radiation therapy that was intended to halt the growth of the tumor. In December of 2011, two weeks after his second son was born, he suffered a hemorrhage of the tumor and was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The brain injury that has resulted from the hemorrhage has cost him the use of his right side and he has difficulty with his speech.

He is experiencing a long road of rehabilitation. Despite the catastrophic effect of the brain tumor, Peter remains optimistic and focused on his recovery.