The Orcas island community is amazing. After weeks of enormous economic uncertainty, and a day after the DOW went down 500 points, OPAL Community Land Trust had its most successful fund-raiser ever on October 11. We want to say Thank You to everyone whose generosity made such an evening possible.

Special thanks to our three event sponsors, Justin Paulsen of Terra Firma NW, Bruce Wiscomb of Orcas Excavators Inc., and Paul Garwood of Island Hardware & Supply. By signing on early, they gave us great encouragement and momentum.

Thanks to all those who donated items, including local restaurants and masseuses; folks who offered catered dinners, boat trips, flights over the San Juans, or evenings of bocce; owners of condos in other enticing parts of the country who offered weeks of vacations; and so many more. The local cake bakers also outdid themselves. The array of 17 desserts for auction probably added 100 calories just from gazing, let alone eating. They were beautiful to look at as well as delicious.

We are also grateful to the many island organizations and businesses that donated vital things like tables, chairs, linens, and dishes, including Orcas Village Store, the Senior Center, Camp Orkila, and Camp Indralaya.

Thanks to the volunteers, without whom such an event could not succeed. Penny Buttke, Joan Fletcher, Margie Carper, and Kari Van Gelder all worked for months and were uniformly cheerful and full of great ideas. And on the day itself, at least 40 more folks stepped up – to wait on tables, wash dishes, serve hors d’oeuvres, decorate the Orcas Center, and cart things from hither to yon.

Most of all, thanks to all the generous islanders who came to this event dressed to the nines and ready to support permanently affordable housing for islanders. . They bid, they bought, they gave. It was a great evening.

Helen Bee

Eastsound