Orcas Boosters hit winter high school sports goal with $11,000

Orcas High School will have winter basketball this year, thanks to fundraising efforts by the Orcas Boosters. The club has raised $11,000 from community since the school board made known roughly two weeks ago that due to state budget reductions, it did not have room in its budget for winter sports this year.

November 2, 2011 2:51 pm

Orcas High School will have winter basketball this year, thanks to fundraising efforts by the Orcas Booster Club.

The club has raised $11,000 from community since the school board made known roughly two weeks ago that due to state budget reductions, it did not have room in its budget for winter sports this year.

Private donors in the community stepped up in a big way to answer a $5,000 matching grant challenge offered by the Orcas Island Education Foundation.

Member Kevin O’Brien said the club has ‘profound gratitude” for the Orcas Island Education Foundation, the Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) and many generous community members” for their help in meeting the goal.

“This money will be passed on to the Orcas Island School District to fund the high school boys’ and girls’ basketball programs,” O’Brien said. “The Boosters are committed to the success of our students through participation in scholastic athletics.”

The Orcas Booster Club members, or “Boosters,” continue to seek community partners in working to solve the current funding challenges faced by the Orcas Island School District.

“With our winter fundraising goal realized, the booster club will turn our focus on raising the funds needed to support the spring and fall sports programs for both the middle and high schools,” O’Brien said. “It is our hope that the generous community support will continue as we look forward to working together with the Orcas Island School District, Orcas Island Park and Recreation and the community to create sustainable funding for scholastic athletics.”

How you can help the Boosters with their mission:

  • Become involved with the Orcas Booster Club.
  • Provide tax/CPA assistance as the Boosters develop their organization.
  • Donate to the Orcas Island Community Foundation “Booster Fund” by check at P.O. Box 1496, Eastsound, WA 98245 or online at oicf.us (Please specify “Booster Fund”).

For more information, contact any of the following members of the Orcas Booster Club:

Candace Bodenhamer: (360) 376-2665

Vicki Vandermay: vickir@centurytel.net (360) 376-5068

Dianna Hofmann: dhofmann62@hotmail.com (360) 376-7585

Kevin O’Brien: kevinkobrien@msn.com (206) 200-1086

Cathy Ferran: orcasmom@gmail.com (360) 376-1510