Twelve-year-old Avrey Scharwat, after creating posters for W.I.N. (Whidbey Island Nourishes) as part of his community service work done through his 4-H club, 4H-D, learned about the many kids in need on Whidbey Island. When it came time for him to complete a community service project as part of earning his junior black belt at Tiger Martial Arts, he thought about the homeless kids he had learned about and thought he would like to do something to help them. He wanted it to be something fun and decided to raise $500 so he could give 15 of the neediest of the 70 homeless kids in Coupeville, where he lives, a $25 gift certificate to Walmart.

Scharwat also wanted to give five parents a $25 gift certificate to Red Apple Grocery Store. When he talked to the manager of Red Apple, Mike Pearson, and told him about his project, Red Apple committed to contributing $100.

This will be in addition to the $500 Scharwat planned on raising by playing his violin at the Coupeville Farmers Market.

To date, Scharwat and his brother Dustin, who plays at the market with Avrey, have raised $475.

Scharwat feels the most important part of this project is helping to make people more aware of the needs right in their own community.

When he received information from Mary Mitchell, the liaison between the school districts and those in transition (homeless), he was shocked by the extent of the homelessness on Whidbey. So, in addition to raising money, he wanted to raise awareness of the problem. He has been doing this by the poster he created and sets up at the Coupeville Farmer’s Market each Saturday. He has had a lot of people tell him that they had no idea that this problem existed on the island, and they have given generously to the fundraising effort.

Scharwat, along with his twin brother, Dustin, are homeschooled, and believe strongly in community service. In addition to this project and the one for W.I.N., as part of their 4-H involvement, and under the mentorship of their 4-H leader, Robert Elphick, they are working with the South Whidbey Historical Society to create a 32-foot timeline poster to be hung in the museum, and are working with Northwest Language Academy to create a video for their website.

They have completed a historical documentary about the Coupeville Wharf, which is now part of the Port of Coupeville’s website.

Avrey and Dustin are both avid fiddlers and have played at the Japan Memorial benefit, the Maple Ridge Retirement Center, The Good Cheer Food Bank Talent Show fundraiser and play with the Ceilidh Chids Youth Ensemble, under the direction of Roxallanne Medley.