Editor,

Roots of Wellness/Healing Circles Langley recognized people who went above and beyond to support the South Whidbey community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nominations were collected and community salutes given to people who have contributed extra in this challenging time.

Over $1,500 in gift certificates to support South Whidbey restaurants and other businesses were given to honor the following recipients:

Carla Jolley, selfless care to home health recipients and friends; Eileen Jackson, spearheaded mask/gown making for WhidbeyHealth; Cheryn Weiser, lead Island Senior Resources Services, increased Meals on Wheels; Whidbey Island Nourishes, expanded services to feed local children; Judy Thorslund, Ursula Shoudy, coordinated, cooked and delivered meals for residents at Brookhaven; Emmy Atwood, Carol McNeil, collected samples to test for COVID-19; Judy Feldman, sustained the Organic Farm School; Juan Zalapa, provided half-priced meals to essential workers and free meals; Rose Homme, Diana Sandoval, supporting black, indigenous and people of color, connected community members who have extra with those struggling; John Auburn, cooked, delivered free soup to at-risk community members; Good Cheer staff, volunteers, providing food when and where needed; Scott Parks, keeping the community laughing; Des/Lucy Rock, made soups for Good Cheer, WIN patrons; Kate Davies, provided free meditation plus extra to cope with COVID-19; Shelly Benton, provided (through The Hub) 3,000-plus meals to South Whidbey families; Micky Sarkis, provided free pizzas to the Homeless Coalition, House of Hope, Brookhaven and Haven in Oak Harbor; Kristin Clauson, Sharon Warwick, Peg Tennant, opened, assured safe access to the farmers markets; Julie Harrop, painted many rocks and hid them … just “to make people happy;” Jake Stewart, purchased groceries for elderly, at-risk people; Jack Ng, Jin Ma, supported Island Senior Resources, Good Cheer Food Bank, and WhidbeyHealth, gave free meals for families in need; Greg Frederic’s live stream DJ event raised over $1,000 for Good Cheer; Theresa Sanders, Hannah Liss, worked to get Island County to progress to Level 2; Anthony and Tara from the Freeland Post Office; Vickie Haglie, made, donated 500-plus masks; Gail Lavassar, supporting families through Readiness to Learn; and Graham Gori, bagged food program through Portico.

So many in our community are contributing extra … supporting and protecting one another, working to keep businesses open, teaching children, and caring for the elderly, sick and vulnerable. We salute you.

The world is uncertain right now, but our community is strong. There is a lot of good and positivity to celebrate.

Dana Kelly, Diana Lindsay, Jeanne Strong, Katrina Bentsen, Shannon Arndt and Vanessa Kohlhaas

Roots of Wellness Committee