South Whidbey deals with tragedy

Published 5:00 am Wednesday, September 19, 2001

“Girl Scouts of South Whidbey, their parents and other volunteers wash cars Saturday, Sept. 15 in a successful fund-raiser to help the victims of the terrorism attacks. They raised over $3,000 in five hours of work at the Ken’s Korner Les Schwab Tire Center.In an outpouring of concern and involvement, South Whidbey’s people, of all ages, are beginning to deal with the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania.Events and memorials have taken place throughout this week and last, from a community candlelight vigil and special church observance, to Dances of Universal Peace and a Girl Scout car wash that raised more than $3,000 for victims aid.This weekend special ceremonies and events are scheduled for Saturday afternoon at South Whidbey High School and Saturday evening in Freeland, when a new flag will be raised.Voices of Hope, a community gathering and benefit concert, will be held Saturday at the South Whidbey High School main commons from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Many people have expressed the desire to have a way to come together here as a community and reaffirm their hope for peace, for finding ways to move forward, to hold each other, to ‘do’ something, to talk, said Ashley McConnaughey, who has been organizing, meeting, phoning and e-mailing all over the Southend of the island to coordinate Voices of Hope.The event is meant to involve the entire community, from children to adults. It will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday with one minute of silence followed by God Bless America sung by Karla Gilbert.Other musical performances by groups such as Island Strings and Whidbey Island Marimba, will be heard on the Commons stage throughout the afternoon, emceed by South Whidbey author Christina Baldwin.Against the musical background, those attending will be able to write on large message boards to be sent to the Pentagon and to New York City’s Trinity Episcopal Church, two blocks from the World Trade Center site. There will be a message wall for thoughts for our own community, as well as a Wall of Remembrance for those who have lost friends or relatives, or people we’ve known. Pictures, stories and thoughts can be placed here to remember and honor their lives. Fire District 3 and the Island County Sheriff’s Department will have firefighters and law enforcement memorials where people can express their sentiments and thank those who risk their lives to save others. The Veterans of Foreign Wars will honor fallen public servants, and a Red Cross representative will accept donations both for the victims of the attack and other local relief agencies. Links of Hope will link together individual hopes and prayers on small pieces of paper in a great paper chain, to be sent to the National Cathedral.Children are an important part of the community event, McConnaughey said. Kids and teens are really involved. This seems to have touched an incredible nerve in young people, she said.In one activity, children can draw pictures of themselves to be cut out and put up together, to show how we are all different but part of the same community, McConnaghey explained. There will also be poster boards on which children and adults can write and paste pictures to show the diversity and interconnectedness of all people.From 3 to 4 p.m., Christina Baldwin, who was South Whidbey’s Neighbor to Neighbor coordinator for community preparedness, will facilitate Front Porch Conversations, small groups where people can talk and listen to each other, sharing reactions, hopes, and dreams for what we could become. At 4 p.m., County Commissioner Mike Shelton will speak and Karl Olsen will conduct the South Whidbey High School Choir and Friends in Children of the World, as the Peace Tree is dedicated and blessed.Community individuals representing the faiths of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and those without religious faith will come together to express the desire for peace.The Peace Tree, which was donated by Bayview Farm and Garden, will be planted afterward in South Whidbey Community Park, as a symbol of hope for the future. Islanders who attend are asked to bring baked goods to share.Anyone who wishes to volunteer or provide supplies or serves for the event can contact McConnaughey at 730-1294 or ba2h@whidbey.com. There are still spaces for performers, and volunteers are also needed to help dig the hole for the tree on Saturday morning. Singers who would like to take part can join a rehearsal at 7 p.m. Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church. The music will be available at both Trinity and Langley Methodist churches. Freeland to raise new flagOn Saturday evening, a group of local residents are raising a new U.S. flag on a new flagpole to be erected at Freeland Park in honor of those lost in the recent tragedies across the land. An honor guard will be present at the brief 7 p.m. ceremony, and an anonymous donor and MOC Fireworks will put on a brief fireworks show at 7:30 p.m. after the flag is raised Interested people should gather by 7 or 7:15 p.m. to ensure a timely arrival. For more information, contact Matt Armstrong at 331-3508. Car wash shows depth of feelingThanks for the car wash. Here’s a check for $500.That actually happened Saturday on South Whidbey, where the price paid for a car wash was a good barometer of the depth of emotion people were feeling after the terrorist attacks on the East Coast. And also of how much people want to help the survivors and the families of the victims.The car wash was sponsored by friends of South Whidbey Girl Scouts as a way to help in the aftermath of the deadly attacks that put the United States on a war footing. Teresa Pope said the effort raised $3,313 in only five hours.Pope said another person paid $200 in cash for a car wash, and others paid $100. The Scouts also held a bake sale, and the standard price for a plate of brownies was $20.Wow, said Pope of the total.About 80 Girl Scouts took advantage of the car wash facilities donated by Les Schwab Tire Center at Ken’s Korner. Like everyone else, our girls wondered what they could do to help out in the wake of last Tuesday’s disaster that struck us all, Pope said.The girls learned that even the littlest of hands working together can make a big difference.U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, happened to be driving by when he saw the Girl Scout signs proclaiming God Bless America, and We’re Proud to be Americans. He stopped for a few minutes to help wash cars.Pope said the girls and their parents were steadily washing four cars at a time, and the line was often a dozen cars long. Hundreds of cars were washed in the five-hour stint.The amazing outpouring of our community’s pride and support was so overwhelming that the lines never ceased, Pope said.The money raised by the Girls Scouts will be donated to the American Red Cross U.S. Victim Relief Fund. Anyone who would like to add a contribution may call Teresa Pope at 331-6026 or Tandi Roberts, 341-1664. “