Funds for island non-profits

By Diane Craig • November 2, 2021 1:30 am
Photo by Diane Craig L-R: Orcas Aviation’s Treasurer, Jack Decker, and Flight Coordinator Gil Blinn rand their donation from Joanne Cundy of Emmanuel Episcopal’s St. Agnes Guild. The donation will help support the organizations’ Mercy Flight program.
Photo by Diane Craig L-R: Orcas Aviation’s Treasurer, Jack Decker, and Flight Coordinator Gil Blinn rand their donation from Joanne Cundy of Emmanuel Episcopal’s St. Agnes Guild. The donation will help support the organizations’ Mercy Flight program.

Submitted by St. Agnes Guild of Emmanuel Parish, Orcas Island.

Every year, Emmanuel Episcopal’s St. Agnes Guild sponsors a Market Day Sale to benefit non-profit organizations on the island. Traditionally held on the last weekend in July, this year’s event raised over $10,000 in sales with donations from across the Orcas community. All the proceeds from the fundraiser, now in its 81st year, are returned to the island’s non-profits.

The first check distributed went to Orcas Aviation Association, the non-profit behind Mercy Flights, a program that provides islanders in need of continuous medical treatments with air flights to area hospitals. The $3,000 check will be able to cover two months of petrol for the planes (now running over $6/gallon on Orcas) and about 50 mercy flights.

“It’s a real help to our program,” offered Jack Decker, the organization’s treasurer. “It will make a profound difference.”

In addition to Orcas Aviation, the Guild’s Market Day’s proceeds were shared with the following island non-profits: Orcas Community Resource Center ($2,000); Kaleidoscope Preschool ($750); Parks and Recreation ($1,000 for dance class scholarships); Orcas Senior Center ($1,000 for Meals on Wheels); Safe San Juans ($2,000); Music Advocacy Group ($500) and OIEF Art for Kids ($500)

The St. Agnes Guild is delighted with the reciprocity of sharing proceeds from the Market Day Sale with donations to the Orcas community that help our children, seniors, and families alike. Thank you all!