To the editor:

The word valiant is hardly adequate to describe the efforts of the 500-plus Hearts & Hammers volunteers who showed up Saturday, May 7 and spent the day working on 53 homes despite torrential cold rain most all the day. And never was heard a discouraging word (at least not out loud).

To all of you who volunteered, you have earned the regard and heartfelt thanks of Hearts & Hammers and your community. Participation in H&H 2011 will be a badge of courage for those who attend future workdays and can reflect back on “the wet one.” Despite the weather, more good was achieved to support the well being and good spirits of our neighbors than most of us will ever know.

It is hard to imagine that such a seemingly complex task, 500-plus people working on 50-plus homes all on one day, could ever work, but here on south Whidbey Island we have done it again for the 18th year.

Thank you to everyone. See you next year!

Onward!

Jim Scullin

President, Hearts & Hammers Board