Sometimes the greatest gifts come from the smallest members of the community.

When Madison Pollock, 8, heard from her mom, April, about the current dire straits facing the Orcas Island Recreation Program, she decided to fundraise. Pollock set up a table outside the Oddfellows Hall and used her pencil to raise donations from farmer’s market shoppers on Saturday, Oct. 10.

“Do you want to know how much money I made?” Pollock asked the Islands’ Sounder. “Sixty-one dollars.”

Pollock’s donation, which Orcas Rec coordinator Linda Sheridan called “a huge wad of cash,” was slipped under the door and discovered the following Monday. It consisted of mostly one dollar bills.

Due to budget shortfall, Orcas Rec had 100 percent of its county funding cut this year.

Madison has participated in many Orcas Rec programs including violin, soccer, pottery, and theater.

“We had no idea she was doing it. She donated it to Orcas Rec because she knows we are in financial trouble and wanted to help out so we would not close,” Sheridan said. “This is just another great example of a wonderful and thoughtful child on Orcas Island.”

Some Orcas community members have heard about Pollock’s donation and matched it. Sheridan calls these donations “the Madison Match.”

Orcas Island Community Foundation executive director Hilary Canty made the first Madison Match.

“Madison told me she raised $61, so I thought I would match that,” Canty said. “I think Orcas Rec provides good opportunities for anyone from children to adults, and brings in people from all walks of life. Their board seems to have come up with a good plan for sustainability.”

Canty also wanted Pollock to know her donation was important and inspire her to continue to make a difference in her community.

Chris Sutton and Kate Long, who are involved in Orcas Rec in multiple ways, also donated a Madison Match.

“It’s a great program and I’d like to see lots of other people matching Madison’s donation,” Long said.

Pollock’s mom said her daughter is full of enthusiasm and has a desire to be entrepreneurial.

“She’s always wanted to create things and sell things,” April Pollock said.

Madison set up her drawing-for-donations campaign with a menu that included a price list for each requested image. Madison offered dragons, dolphins, hearts, horses, and sages ranging in price up to $15 for the requested custom image. Madison drew them for her client on the spot.

Madison isn’t the only young person with a big heart on Orcas. Paris Wilson, another Orcas youth, also gave donations to Orcas Rec with money she earned playing the violin street-side.

When asked if she would fundraise again, Madison told the Islands’ Sounder, “If they run out of money again.”

Another opportunity to help Orcas Rec

Orcas Island Recreation Program is having a fundraising dinner and silent auction at LuLu’s Pasta Rustica on Thursday, Nov. 5 from 5 to 9 p.m. Proceeds will to go towards programs provided year-round for kids. The family-friendly event is $17 per person. The menu includes salad with vinaigrette, a choice of a red sauce or white sauce pasta, meatballs if desired, a side of bread, and one non-alcoholic beverage. Alcohol may be purchased.

“Just by purchasing tickets you will help support meaningful recreational opportunities for kids such as field trips, sports, music, children’s theater, nature programs, and art classes,” Sheridan said.

Tickets are available at Darvill’s and at the Orcas Island Recreation Program office in the Senior Center which is open from noon to 4:30 p.m. Call 376-5339 to reserve a seating time.