Happy New Year , Vashon!
NEWS | Sound Food building sells. [4] COMMENTARY | Humorous predictions pr red dic icti tion onss fo for 20 2016. 016. [6] SP PORTS | Bo Boys’ Boys ys’’ basketball bask ba sket ettb team SPORTS on n a winning win nning streak. [16]
BEACHCOMBER VASHON-MAURY ISLAND
2016
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Vol. 60, No. 52
www.vashonbeachcomber.com
75¢
Vashon nonprofits Moving away, island volunteer leaves behind address wide range long list of community accomplishments of local needs SUSAN RIEMER Staff Writer
By ANNELI FOGT Editor
Editor’s Note: This is the fourth and final story in a series that explores the state of nonprofits on Vashon, specifically how they fared in 2015 and what they have planned for 2016. Roughly one dozen nonprofits have been profiled in the first three stories of this series, and another six are contained in this writing, but these 17 nonprofit organizations are only a snapshot of the many that serve the Vashon community. While the focuses of the organizations range from pets, to the land, to the education of schoolchildren and resources for those with low incomes, it’s clear that the island’s nonprofits look to fill in the gaps that aren’t filled due to Vashon’s unincorporated county determination. The island’s Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness (IFCH) works to provide subsidies for rent and utilities so people can stay in their homes and provides free meals for those in need; Zero Waste Vashon (ZWV) works to preserve the environment and teaches
about smarter ways to consume and dispose; Partners in Education (PIE) provides island teachers with grants for materials and resources not paid for by district or state funds; the Vashon Schools Foundation raises money for school district budgetary shortfalls, and the Vashon Tool Library creates a place where islanders can get the necessary materials to improve upon or build new things. IFCH founder Emma Amiad said last week that the organization works to “fill the gap” between rent and wages for those who live and work on the island. “Our biggest challenge is the incredible rise in the cost of rentals,” Amiad said. “Most of those who work on the island make about $25,000 a year, but the average rent is $1,800 a month. It just does not add up.” She said that a new program spearheaded this year by community activist Hilary Emmer resulted in people in need of rental subsidies being paired up with donors who could help them. Aside from the rent issue, she said that SEE NONPROFIT RECAP, 19
I
slanders who passed the Vashon Theatre a few weeks ago may have noticed a message of gratitude on its marquee. “Thank you, Rex Stratton,” the sign read for several days running.
After nearly 20 years on Vashon, Stratton and his wife Barbara plan on moving soon to the East Coast to live closer to their daughter and grandson. Mindful of their coming departure, theater owner Eileen Wolcott said she wanted to thank Rex publicly for his role in the 2012 fundraising effort that enabled her to buy a digital film projector — equipment essential to staying in business. “We are going to miss him quite a bit,” she said. “He is kind and compassionate and analytical, but he is always thinking about the well-being of everybody. He is looking to expedite the best path to happiness for all sides.” Indeed, Stratton, an attorney whose practice focuses on intellectual property law, has volunteered countless hours for causes in addition to the effort that put his name up in lights, including helping to bring Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union to the island and serving as a volunteer and commissioner for Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR), among a multitude of other activities. Earlier this month, during a long conversation at his west side home, Stratton, who will turn 71 next month, talked about his civic roles, while a common theme ran through them. “Just being a member of a committee is not fulfilling. It is the energy SEE STRATTON, 20
Courtesy Photo
Rex Stratton relaxes at home with his dog Kuma, who used to belong to islander Sally Fox. Fox, who died in 2007, once buttonholed Stratton in Thriftway, telling him he was going to serve as general counsel for Save Our Ships, a volunteer effort to preserve passenger-only ferry service between Vashon and Seattle. “I have the blessing of seeing Kuma every morning and thinking of Sally,” Stratton said.
Vashon 2015: Year in review,
See pages 12-13