Each year, the Orcas Island Community Foundation features a “flat person” as an ambassador for its GiveOrcas.org holiday campaign.
On Tuesday, Dec. 4, OICF revealed the 2018 Flat Person as Sounder publisher and editor Colleen Smith. The four clues leading up to the reveal were:
• This person is never one to shy away from sharing their opinion.
• This person likes creatures from field mouse to tiger, just don’t mention a spider.
• There is nothing flat about this person’s effect on stage.
• This person keeps the community in the loop.
“I am thrilled to have been chosen as this year’s Flat Person,” Smith said. “The Orcas Island Community Foundation truly makes a difference for so many segments of our island’s population.”
OICF had a total of 205 guesses from community members since Nov. 27. Smith selected a name from a bucket of the 67 correct guesses and Paula Shuman won $500 toward a nonprofit of her choosing in the www.giveorcas.org catalog.
If you see the large cardboard likeness of Smith out and about over the new few weeks, take a selfie with her and post it to social media with the hashtag #giveorcas, and your name will be placed in a drawing to win $500 for the nonprofit of your choosing from the catalog. Two drawings will be held, one on Dec. 11 and the other Dec. 18.
Other campaign games include Ben Franklin Day on Dec. 12, during which someone who donates $100 will receive a bonus $1,000 to any of the participating nonprofits of their choice, and on Dec. 19 the nonprofit with the most individual donors will obtain an additional $1,000.
The 2018 catalog features the following 18 island nonprofits and will be online through Dec. 21.
• 4-H of San Juan County is asking for funds for its Know Your Government program wherein 10 local children will be sent to the state capital to learn about politics.
• Art or Orcas Kids (A-OK) is an Orcas Island Education Foundation program that teaches art to students at the public school. It costs $90 to sponsor one student for the school year. They are also requesting money for self-portrait mirrors, sketchbooks, brushes and paper, art literacy units and professional development for two teachers.
• Coffelt Farm Stewards are requesting financial assistance to preserve farmland and the Funhouse Commons is seeking help to fund its after-school program.
• The Healing Arts Center just celebrated 30 years in the community and is looking to update its historic 1904 building with energy efficiency improvements. It has raised 20 percent of its $180,000 goal.
• Kaleidoscope Preschool is wanting to expand its outdoor education class and KWIAHT would like to fund a summer youth steward for Indian Island. Lahari is requesting assistance with its Orcas Door to Door Assistive Transportation Program which began in 2017 and the Orcas Choral Society would like the community’s financial help in its spring concert performance.
• The Orcas Community Resource Center is asking for donations to its emergency assistance programs, which gives islanders in need money for rent, food or urgent care. The Orcas Island Lit Fest would like to inspire young readers and writers during the 2019 lit fest and is asking for the community to help fund the OILF Kids’ Fest.
• You can help the elementary school expand its reading selection by donating to the school or assist Orcas Island Volunteer Firefighter and EMT Association afford new ambulance gurneys. Orcas Montessori School is in need of assistance finishing its new school kitchen and the Orcas Senior Center would like financial support for its home maintenance and repair initiative: Orcas Helping Hands.
• SAFE San Juans is requesting funding for counseling services for survivors and Salmonberry School and Learning Center would like to make energy-efficient updates to its facility.
Finally, YMCA Camp Orkila is asking for help in continuing its Spanish/English Language Classes and Language Mixer Dinners.
“Please consider donating during this holiday campaign to one (or more) of the many worthy organizations in the catalog,” Smith said. “One of the secrets to happiness is giving to others.”
