Who Cares? We do!!

It could just be my super-duper-Bainbridge bias, but it seems to me that people on our little island not only care deeply about this community, but in additona to “talking the talk” they also “walk the walk.”  A few examples that strike me how entrenched giving is here follow.

Bainbridge Island Rotary Auction and Rummage Sale

Each year, this event raises hundreds of thousand of dollars ($353,000 in 2008) that help support the mission of the nonprofit Rotary organization. For instance, this year 11 Bainbridge high school students were awarded scholarships for ongoing education. The scholarships are awarded to students who exhibit “Service Above Self,” an important theme for Rotary.

Save Our Teachers Campaign

School districts across the state are facing deep budget cuts, and Bainbridge is no exception. Earlier this spring, 17 teaching positions were eliminated due to lack of funding. The Bainbridge Schools Foundation went right to work to get the word out about the cuts, what impact they could have on education, and what the community can do to help. From rummage sales to car washes to individual donations, money has been pouring into the foundation to help recall the teachers who lost jobs.

Montessori Country School Rummage Sale

This amazing pre-school and kindergarten is where my oldest daughter has spent the past two years learning and thriving. Acknowledging that the current economy has been hard on many islanders, the school (with the driving force of one parent in particular) organized a rummage sale that yesterday raised $5600 for scholarships.

There are many other examples of giving that happens every day on BI.  I feel fortunate to live in a place where people don’t look the other way when there is a need - they face it head on and with energy, enthusiasm and caring.

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