Hello, my name is Maggie Toombs. I’m 11 years old and have lived on Orcas Island almost my entire life. My parents are Kelly and Kim and my sister is Emily. I just started the seventh grade at Orcas Island Middle School, where I’m working hard to have another year of straight “A”s. I attend Emmanuel Episcopal Church with my family where I acolyte and help with the youth program. I also volunteer at the animal shelter.

Since I was six years old I’ve been competing in sailing thanks to the great program of Sail Orcas. Over the last two years I’ve competed in the Northwest Youth Racing circuit and have traveled all over western Washington to regattas, where I’ve sailed my boat called the O’pen Bic.

The Bic is a relatively new edition to the Sail Orcas fleet and to youth sailing as a whole. I enjoy it because it’s a more challenging boat to sail than most others built for my size.

This year, I started training in March and practicing with the high school sailors. Last year I won the Northwest Youth Circuit award in the Bic class and am on my way to winning for a second time this year.

All this work has given me a chance to compete and represent our island on the world stage. I’ve been invited to the World O’pen Bic regatta in Miami, Fla. early this November. I will get a chance to sail with and against youth sailors from more than 20 countries. My family and coach Nate Averna want to get my boat and me down to Miami to represent not just Orcas, but the Pacific Northwest in Bic sailing.

But I need your help.

Since we have to get my boat, my coach, a chase boat, my Dad, Mom and sister more than 3,500 miles to Miami, the cost is more than my family can afford. I’m asking for contributions from the good people of this community to help make this happen.

Donations can be made at  Washington Federal bank, calling 317-5031 or mailed to PO Box 803, Eastsound, WA 98245. You can also follow my journey on Facebook at Maggie in Miami. Thank you for your support.

Maggie Toombs

Orcas Island