The Economic Stimulus checks will start flowing to Orcas residents sometime in the next few weeks. Individuals earning up to $75,000 will receive $600 and couples earning up to $150,000 per year will receive $1200. The theory is that these checks will have a trickle charge effect on the economy. The hope is that you will spend your check when it hits your account. Multiply this spending by millions and this increase spending should jump start the lagging economy.

This is a unique opportunity for our island community. What would happen if we all dedicated these funds to Orcas? Spend them on groceries, gas, clothing, but spend them here. It is estimated that every dollar spent locally circulates three to five more times. If we concentrated our Stimulus spending locally, we have a great chance to compound the ripple in the hopes that all community members will feel it.

Another choice we have is to donate those funds. Donations to local non profits creates the same ripple effect and has the added bonus of channeling the funds to serve the growing needs of those who are most challenged during an economic downturn. Our community has a great variety of well run programs serving neighbors in need. We have non profits that focus on food, housing, and medical assistance. Others provide childcare for working families. As the economy slows, the need for assistance increases. The folks who live close to the bone turn to the safety net the non profit community provides. The strain on that safety net is growing. Donating your Stimulus check to a non profit service provider strengthens the safety net for us all.

Imagine if everyone opted to donate all or even a portion of their checks to the non profit of their choice. OPAL has a rent and energy assistance program that frequently runs dry. Mercy Flight, the volunteer pilots who fly community members off island for medical treatment, is feeling the pinch of rising fuel costs. Donations to either group would be immediately used and appreciated. More and more of our neighbors need weekly food assistance. If 100 individuals donated to the Food Bank, it would fill the cupboards and then some.

We could opt to tackle the growing funding issues our public school is facing. Due in part to unfunded state and federal mandates, our school budget deficit has ballooned to over $600,000. If 600 couples donated their checks to the Education Initiative, the budget shortfall at the school district would be gone for the year. What a strong message of support this would be for both the school community and our children.

Give where you live. Spending, investing, or donating your Stimulus check within the community helps us all. Working together, we can continue to provide for each other in times of need. The Orcas Island Community Foundation has contact information for all local non profits and can put you in contact with those programs that serve your area of interest.

Hilary Canty is Executive Director of Orcas Island Community Foundation. She can be reached at 376-6423.