Temperatures in the Puget Sound region last weekend climbed to above 90 degrees, causing hundreds to flock to beaches and to the water by kayak, paddleboard and sailboat. With temperatures expected to drop, but remain pleasant just in time for the annual Vashon Sheepdog Classic slated for this weekend, more than 10,000 summer tourists are expected to come to Vashon.

The sheepdog trials will be followed closely by the summer solstice on Monday, June 20, the Strawberry Festival in July and Passport to Pain (P2P) in September.

Unlike last year, the sheepdog trials and P2P are being held in differeent months. The two events fell on the same day last year.

The summer tourism season has begun, and with it will come opportunties for local organizations to raise money.

Unlike large events in many municipalities, these summer events — the sheepdog trials, P2P and the unofficial mayor race, with results announced at the Strawberry Festival — are all major fundraisers for important island organizations.

Last year, the Vashon Sheepdog Classic raised more than $7,000 for Partners in Education — an organization that funds materials and field trips for the school district and makes up for where state funding falls short. P2P raised more than $20,000 for the Vashon Island Rowing Club last year, which consistently sends boats of junior rowers to national competition. Lastly, the unofficial mayoral race over the past few years has raised anywhere between $6,000 and $9,000, on average, for organizations such as the Vashon Senior Center, Vashon Community Care, Vashon Youth & Family Services and many others.

So while these events may bring chaos to Vashon that does not normally exist, the events give the island much of what it has: a vast network of non-profit organizations attempting to make up for where government is falling short.

In the coming months, islanders can become a tourist in their own backyard, all for a good cause. Whether watching sheepdogs, bicyclists or a parade of unofficials mayors, Vashon has come up with creative ways to meet financial needs, and that is something islanders should support.