PARK DISTRICT

Parks build community

Almost 5 years ago, my family and I moved onto the island with lots of excitement and also lots of questions.

First, all of us wondered where we were going to live. My wife, who loves being a teacher librarian, wondered where she was going to work. Our boys, who left their friends and schools, wondered how they were going to form new connections. At the time, my boys were going to be 6th and 8th graders.

We were lucky to find a rental in the Burton area and soon found out through word of mouth that it was an island tradition for many to enroll their kids in the Bruce Haulman Junior Sailing Program through the Park District. Our kids soon found themselves learning nautical terms and trying to find enough wind to get to Dockton for a few weeks of the summer. Sometimes, we would take lunch to Jensen Point and see them on the water. It was a perfect way for our boys to make friends, find some adventure, and unknowingly take part in a special island tradition, supported by VPD.

I had been a fairly regular swimmer before Vashon and when we moved, I soon found my way to the Vashon pool for their lap swim. The Park District lifeguards, Eric Hefflefinger and Rob Luke, soon became my morning greeters and made me feel welcome. It’s not always easy getting up in the morning but it’s a lot easier when you walk in and you’re greeted by your name. I learned more about Eric’s jewelry and art and was very saddened when Rob passed away suddenly last year. These are the kinds of connections you find in the Park District.

Park Districts, in one way or another, whether Vashon or Vancouver, have always been an important part of my family’s life. From swim lessons to sailing lessons, from spring softball and lacrosse to fall soccer, the Park District gets all of us outside, moving, and connected to our community.

Thank you Vashon Park District for providing more memories than our community can count and an island treasure that will be there for many many more generations.

– Slade McSheehy

THUNDERBIRD TREATMENT CENTER

Jayapal should have consulted islanders

I was surprised to learn that Rep. Pramila Jayapal seems to have moved, without any public input, to take the island’s only feasible eldercare property out of the running for what it was built for — elder care for our older island residents. I wrote an email on this point to Jayapal requesting a response but have received no reply.

My concern is that many hundreds of islanders donated a lot of money and time to build and preserve Vashon Community Care (VCC), for the explicit purpose to serve our older Island Residents. As most people know, the VCC property is our one best chance to take care of our seniors, without them having to leave the Island. There are no other viable choices.

Why didn’t Jayapal apply her political leverage to help the island secure the funding to purchase and operate VCC for the benefit of our seniors and those in need of nursing care —or perhaps, low-income housing combined with eldercare? This would have served the island very well. A rehabilitation center can be located in many different areas, including the island. But taking the VCC property out of the picture is completely contrary to what a representative of our community should be doing. The VCC represents our best chance to serve our Seniors. Islanders helped build it and fund it for that purpose and it should be used as such.

– Mike Lande

THANK YOU, VASHON

Worthy cause was island effort

The Vashon Afghan Resettlement Team has concluded its activities collecting household kits for refugee families arriving in South Puget Sound.

We delivered 13 kits, thanks to the generosity of islanders and a dedicated group of volunteers. Our group of islanders worked with the Refugee Resettlement staff of the (Episcopal) Diocese of Olympia. Volunteers initially came from the island’s Unitarian and Episcopal churches and then broadened to more diversity in islanders. The Unitarians offered storage space early in our work and recently O Space has provided wonderful storage space for assembling kits.

Kits were assembled with kitchen items, household supplies, linens, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. We received generous donations for kitchen and household items while most of the other three areas required new purchases. Islanders donated approximately $4,000 over the last year. The retail cost per kit ran about $1,000. We managed to reduce the cost to one-third of retail prices with gently used donated items.

The Refugee Resettlement Office has been settling Afghanis, as well as Iranians, Iraqis, and East Africans. A refugee family is provided a place to live and basic furniture; all the household items arrive with the household kit.

We salute all our volunteers and the support of the Episcopalians, Unitarians, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and the Havurah community. Kim Kambak launched our first fundraiser; Janet Quimby consistently volunteered to drive the Metro van loaded with kits and supplementals such as toys and art supplies. Island Lumber provided an account for donations and purchases. Thank you, Vashon, for stepping up to welcome refugees settling in our region!

– Julia Lakey

CAMP BURTON

A place where memories are made

I’m writing to thank Joe Locke and Jeff Rutschow, and all of the Camp Burton staff, for doing a fantastic job putting on a polka birthday party for my parents last Saturday.

They went far above and beyond to make the event very special. They prepared Polish food from recipes we supplied and the results were super delicious. I can’t say enough about how pleased I am with the care and effort and attention to detail that all of the Camp Burton staff put into planning and executing the event.

Thank you, Camp Burton! You helped make memories that will last a lifetime!

– Jason Staczek