Submitted by Friends of the San Juans.

This year has been life-changing for all of us to varying degrees. In early March, the message from Friends of the San Juans was one of changing times, as directives unfolded with caution and deliberation. Those same feelings continue to unfold in a variety of ways.

Yet today, we are filled with a depth of gratitude. Some of our closest donors came forward to aid our year-end giving, with a $100,000 challenge match. We explained that after a year where we have held off our fundraising messages, out of respect for health and human needs to those impacted so deeply, so closely, and so fundamentally by the pandemic, there was a genuine need for our nonprofit.

We are truly humbled by the generosity and the opportunity that we now have to leverage their contributions in this $100,000 challenge match. This is a bigger match than has ever happened in our 41 years. We hope this match will encourage our community and members to come together and support this work that our small, trusted staff of eight has been tirelessly dedicated to.

Starting this week and continuing over the next couple of months, led by our new executive director, Friends will be embarking on a comprehensive strategy initiative. Through that planning process, which will include input from our partners and community, we will develop our vision and goals for the next five years. We’ll be expanding our work to have even more impact, and we will target that impact where we can make the most difference. How ambitious we can be to protect what you love and pursue our mission depends heavily upon what we raise before Dec. 31.

This $100,000 is a challenge match, so we need your help to unlock that match. Every donation you give through the end of this year will have double the impact, up to $100,000. Your financial investment is what makes our work possible.

We boldly ask you to consider a generous investment in Friends of the San Juans to help us carry out our mission for healthy seas, natural shorelines, and thriving communities.

There are three ways to send in your support:

• Give by texting “FRIENDS” to 360-317-2610,

• You can Donate through our website at www.sanjuans.org/donate, and

• You can mail us a check to PO Box 1344, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

We know there are many challenges that our communities still face, yet we hope our respect and resiliency will move you to protect what you love and where you live – please support us in our mission-driven work.

We are grateful for those of you that continue to provide services to keep communities and households functioning. We hold a sacred space of empathy and encouragement for those of you who are closely and personally impacted by COVID-19.

Visit www.sanjuans.org to learn more.