As the aging population in Island County continues to grow, a nonprofit organization is expanding to better serve South Whidbey’s more mature residents.

Earlier this month, South Whidbey at Home hired its first executive director, Beth Herrild. Incoming Board President Sam Wessel-Estes said the board decided in its strategic planning session last fall that it was time to move ahead and commit to hiring the full-time, paid position that is the first of its kind in the organization’s history.

Started in 2016 by the late Lynn Willeford, South Whidbey at Home helps people 55 and older age in place in their homes while remaining active community members. Nearly 200 members pay dues, $240 per household on an annual basis, and can receive assistance with up to two requests per week lasting no more than two hours each.

In 2024, a total of 82 volunteers performed 2,535 hours of service, fulfilling over 1,530 service requests for members. Common requests include rides to a medical appointment or the grocery store, light household tasks like laundry and social visits.

As the new executive director, Herrild is taking over the day-to-day operations of the organization that were previously carried out by the board, which is now transitioning from a working board to a policy board.

A South Whidbey resident since 2018, Herrild has experience in leadership positions in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors and previously owned a successful e-commerce business. An artist, Herrild serves on the board of the Pacific Northwest Art School in Coupeville and has taught art to inmates at the Island County Jail for over a year.

Becoming the new executive director for an organization that’s about helping the community felt like meaningful work, Herrild said.

“In light of all of the things that are going on in our country right now at a national level, it is more important than ever to have strong communities,” she said.

There are new opportunities for members, such as the Aging Mastery Program and Monthly “Crafternoons.”

“I’m excited to do more community-building activities to combat isolation for our members,” she said.

Besides hiring Herrild, another big change for South Whidbey at Home has been the opening of a new office in Freeland. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Wessel-Estes said the organization has experienced significant growth within the past few years.

“That’s spurred us on to really increase our capacity to serve people,” she said. “If you look at the demographics, South Whidbey in particular has an aging population.”

She praised Herrild for her extraordinary experience in serving volunteers and working with other nonprofits.

“I feel like we’re really ideally situated now to increase our volunteer capacity by recruiting and training folks to be able to fill all the different kinds of services that we are currently offering to members,” Wessel-Estes.

At times it’s a delicate balance, and there are some tasks that are beyond what volunteers can help with, such as providing personal care, lifting someone from a vehicle or remodeling a home. Other nonprofits might step in, like Island Senior Resources or Hearts & Hammers, another organization started by Willeford.

As always, more volunteers are needed. They can fill out a form indicating which tasks they prefer to help with, and call managers will connect them with members.

For more information about South Whidbey at Home, visit swathome.org.

(Photo provided) A new South Whidbey at Home office, opened this past year in Freeland, is open to the public 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.