From home to work to government, budget shortfalls are the latest in operational fashion. Almost nobody has enough money to do everything they want, and sometimes not enough to do what they need. The recession has caused a genuine alteration in spending styles for most “average” folks, now known as the 99 percent. But wants, and especially needs, haven’t changed much.

We still want, maybe even need, a better car when the old one turns over that 200,000 mark on the odometer. Our kids still outgrow their clothes and their electronics. So we get creative about our resources. We buy second hand. We shift our priorities. We work harder. We’re still pretty good at getting what we want. And maybe we even appreciate what we do get just a little more.

Our agencies and organizations reflect who we have been as well as who we are. We’ve counted on Vashon Island Fire & Rescue, the Vashon Island School District and the Vashon Park District to have the resources (read “money”) they need to give us everything we want — comprehensive protection, excellent education, athletic fields, wooded and shoreline parks and a pool. Recession or not, we want those things, but budget shortfalls are in vogue.

So how do we get what we want? Well, on Vashon, volunteerism has always been in style. In fact, new Island residents are often warned about the sucking power of volunteer “opportunities.” But most are rendered deaf to that warning by the siren song of, “We could use somebody with your gifts!” and “You’ll just be part of a committee” — or the irresistible, “It’s for the kids!” It’s all true. Volunteerism is how this Island gets what it wants, eventually.

The recession has been a true litmus test for the classic nature of our volunteer style. When we needed a disaster preparedness mechanism, VashonBePrepared came to life. When the schools need to keep precious teachers and programs, volunteers get to work on the phone, in the streets, at party auctions — we love any excuse for a party — and they raise the money to keep our curricula excellent. And, let’s not forget the Island Elves who’ve lately attracted the sheriff’s attention — in eccentric costumes—to keep less-fortunate Vashonians well cared for.

Levy income for the park district has shrunken with diminishing real estate taxes tied to sinking home values. And, like the schools, our pocket books no longer match our community desires. Volunteerism built Vashon’s Park District, starting in 1983 with the first volunteer commissioners. Since then, Paradise Ridge volunteers have created a world-class equestrian park. Point Robinson Keepers have restored the old light station and its keepers quarters to their 19th century glory for all to share. Burton Woods volunteers keep the forest trails pristine for two-legged and four-legged hikers. And stewards at the Burton Adventure Recreation Center are carrying on this tradition with FUNdraising events and elbow grease applied to the indoor skate park, the Frisbee golf course and the BMX track.

Now, our sports teams need more play fields, recession or not, and there’s no spare cash in the park district’s worn out pockets. Vashon Fields is under construction next to The Harbor School, and it will be finished with sufficient volunteer effort. Park district commissioners, themselves elected volunteers, have committed to leading the parade in true Vashon style, and they’ll be calling on baseball, soccer, football and lacrosse groups to show their true colors and bring in the resources — cash, contractors, materials — that simply cannot come out of the park district budget. This is a chance for every Vashonian to be in style. Just ask what you can do.

— Susan McCabe is the program coordinator for the Vashon Park District.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Vashon Park District, call Jan Milligan, the new executive director, at 463-9602.