Editorial: Community responds to murder with compassion

If ever there was a reason to help a local family in need, this is it.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to provide support for Natasha Blouin’s mothers, who now have two young children to care for and a mountain of expenses following the woman’s horrific murder Jan. 11 on South Whidbey.

It can be found at www.gofundme.com/death-of-mother-creates-needs-for-children

People have been generous, donating about $15,000 so far.

A service for Blouin is scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 26 at St. Augustine’s-in-the-Woods Episcopal Church in Freeland.

Those who knew the young woman or want to wish her children well should write “a little something” and bring it to the memorial service to be added to a book for her children.

Or people can email their comments to spiritmusic@whidbey.com

When a crime this unimaginable occurs, people have many different reactions. They may be frightened, angry or overwhelmingly sad.

Some are dumbstruck by how something like this could happen on Whidbey.

Many people want do something, to help in some way.

To make it better. It’s the purest kind of impulse, borne from compassion.

People should give what they can to help Blouin’s family. They should write heart-felt messages and attend the service.

But hopefully it won’t stop there. Many people on Whidbey Island need help. Women and children are victims of domestic violence with shocking regularity. People are homeless. Many struggle with drug addiction and mental health issues.

We shouldn’t let ourselves be overwhelmed by the big problems in a global sense.

We can act locally. Help individuals.

Sometimes it’s the small kindnesses that make the biggest difference.