by Betsy Louton

Hearts and Hands

Bill and Barbara were married in 1944. Soon thereafter they moved to Hope, Ala. where they homesteaded, farming and selling organic vegetables.

In 1962 they came to Orcas Island where they began raising sheep and chickens and farming organically. Those were good days.

Barbara remembers, “We used to go dancing, dancing, dancing, – at the Grange, in Eastsound and in Deer Harbor. We loved it! When we did the two step double time, everyone clear the floor and watched.”

Many years later, Bill and Barbara found they needed help with tasks they could no longer do. Barbara was having difficulty walking and had fallen. She was often in her recliner chair. Bill too suffered a fall some years ago and injured his spine, which has made walking and maintaining balance a challenge.

When a caring friend contacted Hearts and Hands about their needs, Hearts and Hands found volunteers to visit weekly and help with household chores. Their volunteers also checked to be sure the neighbors had been able to get groceries and do errands for them and filled in when needed.

Bill and Barbara were determined to continue living in their home, which they did so in a most graceful manner. In May of this year, Barbara passed peacefully. The caring community of three different Hearts and Hands volunteers and Bill’s many friends and neighbors enable him to continue to live a productive life.

Hearts and Hands, an organization financed through fundraising activities of the Senior Center Advisory Committee, works to help seniors and disabled persons maintain independence and quality in their lives. The support we receive from United Way is critical in ensuring the continuation of this program. United Way and the Senior Center care about our seniors. The service offered by Hearts and Hands volunteers, the spirit of those we help, and support from United Way is a resounding celebration of Orcas community spirit.

To support United Way of San Juan County, mail your gift to P.O. Box 3181, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 or online at www.unitedway-sanjuancounty.org. Mention this story to designate to Hearts and Hands.