To the editor:

I would like to take this time to sincerely thank everyone who helped to make this year’s WISH fundraiser happen.

Our first and biggest “thank you” goes to Dan Ollis of Whidbey Coffee, who donated a free 10-cup coffee card to everyone who filled a bank for affordable housing.

The crew of Whidbey Coffee spent many hours dedicated to making this project a success. This is the fifth annual WISH/Whidbey Coffee fundraiser and they still have all the enthusiasm and energy as the first one.

I would also like to specifically thank Stacey Madsen who fielded all our calls, got the banks to the kiosks and was the keeper of the paperwork and, of course, to the kiosk crews of Whidbey Coffee who spend many hours dedicated to making this project a success and get those banks filled.

And last but not least, all of the community of Whidbey Island who filled those banks with change for housing.

WISH — Whidbey Island Share a Home — helps people who are in need of affordable housing from the bridge to the ferry, and also helps home owners remain in their homes during these financially trying times. WISH has provided housing and support to more than 400 people directly and close to 2,000 indirectly since we opened our doors. WISH is free to anyone in need on Whidbey. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Doris Newkirk

Executive Director of WISH