Dr. Craig Weiner of The Chiropractic Zone Healing Center announced the business’ latest Transformational Dialogue event resulted in a $900 donation to Healing Circles Langley.

The Transformational Dialogues double as communal conversations with individuals familiar with the healing arts and as fundraising events for nonprofits.

According to a recent press release, nearly 50 people attended the Jan. 27 event, which featured author and social activist Christina Baldwin.

Baldwin is the author of seven books and co-founder, with Ann Linnea, of PeerSpirit, Inc. and The Circle Way Process.

Each Transformational Dialogue speaker selects a nonprofit beneficiary who will receive a donation collected from the Transformational Dialogue event admissions.

The Chiropractic Zone had raised $450 when a Facebook friend of the business, Jude Rathburn, decided to match the donation, making the total $900 for Healing Circles.

In the press release, Weiner referred to an adage which states “a story is the shortest distance between strangers,” and said that in a community such as South Whidbey there is always an exchange of stories which informs us of who and how we are.

Weiner continued by stating that story-sharing is a “sustaining community building activity,” and the Transformational Dialogue events serve as an opportunity for open dialogue about the importance of creating community spaces.

One such community space is the non-profit Healing Circles Langley, which opened in January.

Healing Circles Langley offers support for those with cancer, chronic illness or those who are suffering a loss. It is also a community wellness center, focused on living, aging and dying well, according to founder Diana Lindsay.

Other than some classes, all services are free. Classes are priced based on a sliding scale dependent upon income.

Healing Circles is operated through the non-profit cancer support organization, Commonweal and relies upon community donations and volunteer support.

Music, peer counseling, art, research stations and community conversation groups are all a part of Healing Circles.

Lindsay explained that the idea for Healing Circles Langley grew from the “tremendous support” she received from the community when diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2006, and afterward during her recovery.

“This is a way to make sure that when times are challenging, there is social support,” Lindsay said.

Healing Circles is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.