Two recent fundraising campaigns have netted Orcas Island Children’s House more than $26,443, which will cover about 9% of this year’s program expenses.
“Children’s House profoundly thanks everyone for their support,” said board president Dale Heisinger. Organizers estimate that roughly 1,000 people took part in the recent mayoral race and cooking classes to support the non-profit childcare center. Over 40 Orcas islanders donated time to help with the fundraisers.
The cooking program, developed by Christina Orchid and Robin Woodward years ago, features local and celebrity chefs. This year the classes sold 268 tickets and netted $18,794. The program is made possible by “tremendous community support” from local businesses and a host of volunteers, said Heisinger.
“These are complicated events, and it literally ‘takes a village’, to borrow the old African proverb,” he said. “Orcas Village Store and Island Market gave us a price break. The Outlook Inn and West Sound Café hosted guest chefs, and others donated supplies and promotional materials. Please thank them by buying local.”
The “Mayor of Eastsound” election was hotly contested, drawing 7,855 one-dollar “votes” as supporters chose their favorite from a field of two dogs, a sheep, a cow, and a cat. Tongue-in-cheek campaigning to “buy votes” included posters, road signs, campaign buttons, and good-natured cajoling by the sponsors of each candidate. Clara, a dog sponsored by Crow Valley Pottery, emerged victorious as the newly elected mayor.
“The sponsors are the ones who make the mayor’s race fun for the community,” said Heisinger. Children’s House spent only $206 to administer the race, so 97% of the proceeds will directly help fund the preschool.
Heisinger serves as president on an eight-member volunteer board of directors that oversees the school’s operations and recruits volunteers to help with fundraising. A retired pediatrician, he believes strongly in the Children’s House mission: providing early childhood education in a manner that stimulates brain development at a critical time of a child’s life. Programs currently serve about three dozen Orcas Island youngsters aged 6 months to 6 years.
Nearly 40% of the annual budget of Children’s House comes from tuition paid by parents. Government programs, donations, and grants from Orcas Island Community Foundation and others provide another one third of the budget, and fundraisers help provide additional support.
“We have a lot of fun, while supporting a worthwhile cause,” said Heisinger. “Children’s House could not operate without the mayor’s race and the cooking classes. We believe these events are good for the community, as well as for Children’s House, and we welcome suggestions for making them even more so.”
