Submitted by the Olga Strawberry Council Board

We said a donation of any size would put us over the top, and it did! Amounts from $20 to $9,000 coming from as close as Olga and as far away as Delaware, with Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Missouri and Colorado in between, helped us reach our goal of $30,000 in order to receive matching funds from a wonderful anonymous donor. Since the fire in July 2013, 172 individuals responded in monetary kindness toward our mission to restore the building; which, to us, is astounding.

We want to sincerely thank our letter writers: Tom Welch, Rick Hughes, Paul Losleben, Boyd Pratt, Emily Reed, and John Evans, who revealed some remarkable history, as well as economic and emotional value of the old strawberry barreling plant and its journey into the pages of what it is today.

We are excited to be in the final stages of a very challenging but rewarding undertaking. During the month of March, the Orcas Artworks Cooperative, James Hardman Gallery and a sweet new café will be moving into their new spaces and opening their doors when they are ready some time in April. It will be one of the most joyous occasions we can possibly imagine! Watch for announcements toward the end of March.

Thank you again for supporting the return of the historic Artworks Building and the artists and café it proudly and beautifully houses. We look forward to thanking you personally very soon.