I recently went to a function for the Orcas Island Community Foundation. I learned of the many deserving groups on the island that need money and how they are funded and how they depend on it. Many need more funding than is available.

Examples are the Park and  Recreation District, PTSA “Backpacks for Kids,” and the elementary school, which needs help with plumbing and heat. The children and teachers had to wear jackets this winter in the classrooms. My thoughts went to the chamber’s request to raise $15,000 for fireworks for basically a few hours of fun. I love the fireworks and the tradition, but this year I would hope that people could consider donating to areas with more pressing needs instead of the fireworks. The Orcas Island  Community Foundation has lists of them.

I would like to think I live in a community that is consciously thoughtful about what the priorities are on Orcas.

I imagine the possibility of having a special ceremony, maybe along with the parade, where the community stops and gathers to have patriotic speeches  and celebrate our freedoms and liberties as Americans and have a peace vigil for all the people who have had their homes destroyed in the terrible storms and all the people who are dealing with wars in their countries. I am thinking about what the Fourth of July  means for us and how lucky we are.

Gayle Keith-Ashley

Orcas Island