Editor,

The Friends of Friends Medical Support Fund (FoF) wants to thank the South Whidbey community for a successful 2013 Mr. South Whidbey Pageant. Our annual fundraiser grossed over $15,000, money that will continue to help South Whidbey neighbors with medically-related expenses.

Five local men played to an enthusiastic crowd on Oct. 5, competing for the Mr. South Whidbey title. The tongue-in-cheek pageant rules are simple: the candidate who raises the most money for FoF wins. Gordon Stewart, of Gordon’s on Blueberry Hill, took home this year’s crown. We are indebted to Gordon and to the other four dynamic candidates — Tom Churchill, Russell Sparkman, Kent Ratekin, and Ben Thomas — and to our sponsors.

There are many folks who show up to help with this event, who are too numerous to list, but you know who you are. We are thankful beyond words for your generous and continuing support. There is one person, however, we do need to single out — our emcee, Sue Frause. Sue has hosted the Mr. South Whidbey Pageant for six of its eight successful years and is truly the heart of the pageant. We could not do this without her.

So far in 2013, we have helped 210 people with medical and dental bills. This could not be possible without the awesome support of our community. As the stewards of your generosity, we humbly thank you.

Board of Directors

Friends of Friends