The South Whidbey Homeless Coalition was the first recipient of the Island Athletic Club’s Charter Member Gift of $2,000.

The club decided to shift away from 20 years of annual parties to honor charter members and instead give a donation to a local nonprofit on the members’ honor.

Charter members were tasked with choosing from three local nonprofits “that provide important social services to our Island neighbors,” a press release said, and they “resoundingly” selected the homeless coalition.

Island Athletic Club Vice President Katie Shapiro presented the check to South Whidbey Homeless Coalition’s Faith Wilder and Jody Thorslund.

“They effusively expressed both their sincere thanks and their earnest need for the funds,” said Shapiro in the press release.”