There was merriment for all on Orcas Island this Christmas as islanders and Anacortesians snapped their fingers at economic woes and dug deep into their pockets to share – especially with the children.
“The island has been incredibly generous,” said Tom Murdock, who coordinated Emmanuel Episcopal Church’s community holiday dinner. Volunteers fed and musically entertained 120 people the Thursday before Christmas.
The food bank passed out Christmas meal boxes to 135 people, and riding along in each box were 105 stockings full of goodies for the kids, funded by Orcas Girl Scout cookie sales and the 4-H Trail Blazers club.
Two hundred children were given gifts through the Island Market Giving Tree, organized by Orcas Family Connections. Family advocate Erin O’Dell said the Anacortes Salvation Army donated seven “giant boxes” of toys that helped supplement islanders’ contributions, and Island Hardware delivered the boxes to Orcas. Every single child got gifts in time for Christmas morning this year, with a few parents dropping by O’Dell’s home Christmas Eve to collect last-minute arrivals. Moon Glow, Darvill’s, Ray’s Pharmacy, Leaping Lizard, and Radio Shack gave discounts that allowed the program to purchase locally, while many other islanders donated gifts.
The Orcas Lions Club provided free gifts for 162 children and teens through its Toys for Tots program, hosted at the Eastsound Fire Hall. For a boutique “shopping” experience, volunteers laid out an assortment of toys and then wrapped the gifts as parents came through and made their selections.
Close to 100 children received presents from Santa at the Deer Harbor Community Club “Santa Ship” event.
The Bellingham Lions International Christmas Ship, complete with a lion mascot, long-eared elves and a troop of clowns, stopped by the Orcas Ferry Terminal to hand out yet more gifts to 500 children.
Emmanual Church and Orcas Christian School will continue to offer a bit of cheer with monthly community dinners, while the food bank (and company) soldiers on, providing weekly hot meals and groceries to keep the wolf from the door.
