To the editor:

On behalf of the board of directors and our volunteer staff, I would like to thank the members of the South Whidbey community who have responded to the recent article about our finances.

The first big thank you goes to the client whom we couldn’t help due to our lack of funds, who took it upon herself to notify the Record of our problem.

Second, thank you to Roy Jacobson for the wonderfully written article about Helping Hand and to Brian Kelly for putting the story on the front page.

Third, I would like to thank the many people who have stopped me in Payless, in the post office and at church, or have come by our office and given a few dollars in cash and asked to remain anonymous. Some of you said you were former clients and wanted to help out someone else, and I want you to know we sincerely appreciate your donations.

Until you work directly with clients, it is easy to think that the South Whidbey community is doing OK. Most of us still have some financial resources, a warm dry home and food on the table, but there are people right here in our own backyard who don’t.

If you work or volunteer at one of our local social service agencies, you find out the “rest of the story,” as Paul Harvey used to say.

Again, thank you so much for the fundraising ideas, offers of firewood and the financial contributions. We will be good stewards of your donations, and we will do our best to help our neighbors in their time of need.

Rosemary Martin

Executive Director

Helping Hand of South Whidbey