On behalf of Children’s House of Orcas Island, I would like to publicly thank the many, many people who contributed time and money toward the success of our two recent fund raising events – The Mayor’s Race, and our Culinary Season of eleven cooking classes. We estimated that roughly 1,000 people participated in one way or another!

It is dangerous to name names, because you can accidentally leave someone out. But among the many volunteers who believe in the Children’s House concept of early childhood education and who volunteered their time on these programs were the following Orcas Islanders.

For the Mayor’s Race: Beverly Lehmann, Michelle Streich, Maggie Vinson, Jeffri Coleman and Michael Rivkin of Crow Valley Pottery, Lori Mikolin and Don Tompkins, Kari Van Gelder and Amy Lum and Mandi Troxel of Bossy’s Feltworks, Adam and Sarah Farish of The Outlook Inn, and Scott Whiting. Together, they helped generate $7,649 for Children’s House, after expenses.

For the Culinary Season: Christina and Bruce Orchid, Kate Long, Jane Heisinger, Michell and Doug Marshall, Michelle Streich and Farouk Seif, Robin Woodward, Ted and Susan Aspinall of Kathryn Taylor Chocolates, Bill Patterson of Chimayo, John Steward of Maple Rock Farm, Jana Albright, Sigrid Mather, Jenny Hovelman, Erin O’Dell, Maria Schwartz, Emily McGerty, Kathy Lunde, Jessica Fleisher, Susan Fleisher, Aaron Bennett, Scott Heisinger, Kristen Anna, Howard S. Wright III and Kate Janeway, Jenny Pedersen and Darvill’s books, Lance Evans and the Chamber of Commerce, Kingfish Inn, The Outlook Inn and New Leaf Café. Together, their efforts generated $18,794 for Children’s House, after expenses.

These are among the many people who make Orcas Island the great community it is.

Dale Heisinger

Children’s House Board of Directors