The motto of the Whidbey Island Friendship Force is particularly appropriate at this time in history: “A world of friends is a world of peace.”

Through their international exchange program, people from the island have the opportunity to travel abroad, live in private homes, make new friendships, and learn first hand about a different place and culture.

“The exchange program also means welcoming foreign visitors to Whidbey Island to stay in our homes, become our friends and learn about us,” said Trudy Martin, a member of the Whidbey Island Friendship Force.

And following the events of Sept. 11, Friendship Force International noted on its Web site: “Messages, e-mails, and calls to FFI have once again reminded us of the countless friendships that exist around the world with people who believe that world peace and understanding can be a reality when it is built one friendship at a time through mutual understanding.

“We take renewed strength from knowing that the friendships forged through the work of this organization sustain us in difficult times. And we are mindful, even as we mourn, that the world needs a Friendship Force International.”

Here on Whidbey Island, the Friendship Force only a few weeks ago welcomed a group of visitors from Yamaguchi, Japan. And last July they played host to ambassadors from Costa Rica who happily marched with locals in the Maxwelton Fourth of July Parade.

Eight islanders are planning to go as ambassadors to Costa Rica in January. Visitors from Brazil are on the agenda for later in 2002.

In fact, the Whidbey Island Friendship Force over the years has participated in exchanges with 13 countries, Martin said. In early November, at a special ceremony, they will be planting 13 trees at the Community Park on Maxwelton Road in honor of each of these countries. Another tree will be added with each additional exchange over the coming years.

“There is also a new direction for Friendship Force,” Martin said. “There will be more community involvement added to the original home exchange program.”

The international organization’s new president, James “Chip” Carter III, has challenged all clubs to find a need in their community and meet it.

“We are a true force in our communities, and we can offer a dimension that few other organizations possess,” Carter wrote in a letter to Friendship Force members. “Students can learn from you how to bridge the cultural barriers…The youth area, alone, offers immense possibilities. We need only seek out the opportunities with an expanded vision…How rewarding it is to see joy on the faces of the children, and warmth in the eyes of strangers who become friends.”

The Whidbey Friendship Force has already given many volunteer hours of community service: They have manned a three-day highway coffee stop at the Marysville rest area on I-5 for three years; they will have a designated South Whidbey area for cleanup in the Adopt a Highway program; many of their members give extra hours to Senior Services, its thrift shop and Meals and Wheels.

They also participated as a group in the “Senior Citizen Prom” at Langley Middle School last April.

“That was so much fun,” Martin said. “We danced to ‘Begin the Beguine’ and taught the Virginia Reel. You always think of seniors as ‘old,’ but you’re not old when you can do that!”

But the Friendship Force isn’t satisfied with their achievements and activities to date. They’re ready for more challenges and hope to be contacted for other needs on South Whidbey.

“We’d like to bring guests to schools, talk to students during lunch, for example,” Martin said. The group also wants to work with more organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and People to People.

“Then,” Martin said, “there is always the great experience of meeting and making new friends from almost all foreign countries — the backbone of our organization.”

That will become even more effective as the international Friendship Force provides clubs with individual Web sites and each member with a personal e-mail address.

The Whidbey Island Friendship Force currently has about 70 members, and is looking for more. If you are interested, or have ideas for community service, contact Trudy Martin, 321-9466. To visit the Web site of the Friendship Force International, go to www.friendshipforce.org.