To the editor:

The support our community gives to nonprofit agencies that exist in order to help our neighbors is heart-warming and one of the things that makes South Whidbey a unique and magical place to call home.

With our economy basically in free fall, Friends of Friends Medical Support Fund is blown away by the success of our third Mr. South Whidbey pageant held on Oct. 4 at Freeland Hall.

Each candidate was hugely successful in getting people to give freely to our nonprofit. In the final count they raised over $50,000 to cover medical and dental bills for our South Whidbey neighbors. Kirk Francis was crowned Mr. South Whidbey 2008. Runners-up were Chris Spencer, Tom McCabe, Drew Kampion, Jay Davenny and Bob Dalton.

Our gratitude is extended to emcee Sue Frause, who was aided by former Misters South Whidbey Randy Hudson and Bob Frause.

The list of volunteers who worked to make this third annual event such an enjoyable, fun evening is extensive and includes rules announcer Jim Scullin; bartenders Carol Hurless and Kristi Kammenga; the energetic six-pack guys headed by Paul Mathews, Dan Gregory, Ric Ingrasci, Barton Cole, Richard Merrell and Dean Enell; soundman David Malony; spotlight donated by Whidbey Children’s Theater and operated by Bonnie Cook; table decorations by Marian Myers and helper Kathleen Miller; doorway decorated by Jonni Reed and Dorit Zingarelli; runway construction, Richard Merrill, Dean Enell, Kyrie Jardin; photographer Don Miller; food servers Annaporne Colangelo, Barbara Seeley, Cathy Tauscher, Linda Miller, Maggie Jacoby and Karen Vanderbilt; stage lights, Shelley Hartle.

Our thanks to Blake and Lynn Willeford for their valuable advice and consultation. We are grateful to Moonraker Books and 1504 Coffee, Fireseed Catering and Mukilteo Coffee, Star Store, Penn Sport, Michael McMahon of Diamond Knot Brewery and beer delivery guy David Fuller.

The generosity of our community has allowed us to be a medical safety net for our neighbors, enabling us to help over 180 South Whidbey residents so far this year with over $60,000 in medical and dental bills. We thank you for that. Despite a change in the administration of our country, we anticipate that the need for us will be greater in 2009 than ever before. We’ve already started planning for next year’s pageant and hope you will join us for an evening that is always different, unexpected and entertaining.

If you would like to get involved with Friends of Friends, need help from us or would like more information please call our voice mailbox at 221-4535 or visit our Web site at fofmedicalsupportfund.org.

Claudia Fuller

President

Friends of Friends Medical Support Fund