NEWSLETTER Spring 2011

Friends of Freeland celebrates 10 years of building community in greater Freeland, invites you to visit our new website, and introduces our new board and 2011 initiatives.

Download the complete newsletter here.
View past newsletters here.

Highlights from the newsletter:

President's Message
Freeland Beautification
Meet the Board
Arts & Crafts Sale 2010
FoF Wetlands Initiative
From the Executive Director
New Website Launch!
Membership Update
Arts & Crafts Sale 2011

President's Message

Looking Ahead

As your outgoing President and continuing board member, I want to take the opportunity to review the great projects Friends of Freeland now has "under its belt," and what our focus will be for 2011. Much of the work begun with a Federal Grant on Main Street is completed. The article, Freeland Beautification, walks us through this history and brings us up to date.

We are well poised to move with an experienced board that knows how to put projects together with local contractors and teams of volunteers. Take a look at our segment: Meet the Board, to see who we have brought on the team for 2011, and the skills and vision they bring with them.

From its earliest beginnings in 2000, to incorporation as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 2001, FoF continues to work diligently to accomplish projects in alignment with its mission and community vision. Over these last 10 years, Friends of Freeland has evolved into a stable entity with staying power, affecting the greater Freeland community in positive ways, with more plans based on community input to carry forward.

Our primary focus for 2011 is the FoF Wetlands Project – the 46 acres of wetlands and forested uplands that FoF stewards for our community. Having blazed and mapped the first trail on the property, we are working with Whidbey Audubon to plan access, a wildlife viewing platform and blind, self-guiding interpretive trail signage, and an outdoor classroom focused on wetland education. See our articles: FoF Wetlands Initiative and Give a Legacy Gift for the larger picture, and consider making a donation as part of our financial campaign to bring the plans to fruition.

Take a look ahead to December, to our major public fundraising event: The FoF Arts & Crafts Sale, with its fantastic Bake Sale offerings for the holidays! Over 40 local artists show their work in our beloved venue, Freeland Hall. The artists benefit from a holiday sale staffed by FoF volunteers and receive 70% of sales proceeds. The rental paid to Freeland Hall helps to maintain a local historical landmark and community center. FoF uses the 30% of proceeds to continue its work in the Freeland community. That is a triple win!!!

With our redesigned website, we want to stay more closely in touch with you – we value your observations, hopes and vision for greater Freeland, and depend on your input to bring us closer together as a community that demonstrates its caring about our overall well-being and quality of life. We want your voice - you are invited to join our efforts to help us grow Freeland in a way that makes us proud to live here.

With warm regards, Richard Rhydes

Freeland Beautification

The beautification project was the brainchild of and organized by Richard Rhydes, local architect and President of FoF. Rhydes donated many hours over the past 7 years obtaining community input, designing the project, and keeping the focus on bringing the community effort together to ensure the project's completion.

The project began in 2004 with Whidbey Island Architects summer intern, Noah Roehl. Noah, for summer credit with Pacific Lutheran University, wrote a planning paper on the effect of sidewalks and landscaping in Freeland. His study and streetscape design provided the background research for Friends of Freeland to write and apply for a Federal Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety grant to be administered by the Washington State Department of Transportation to fund the project.

The result was the installation of planters along Main Street to control traffic egress and access from many business parking areas in Freeland. In other areas the planters were used to provide landscaping defining pedestrian pathways., which in Freeland are not demarcated by sidewalks.

Using Roehl's visuals and working with Richard Rhydes as architect and FoF board member, Mike Dolan donated his time and expertise writing the successful grant for the project which provided FoF with $45,000 to be used for material purchased only. But the effort did not end there - momentum began to build with a second grant in 2009 from Whidbey General Hospital Foundation for $2.500 to support adding landscaped walkways to the project on the east end of Main Street.

With Rhydes direction, further support continued to gain momentum with local businesses and individuals adding their own in-kind contributions, totaling over $120,000. Contributors included:
Sue Taves, local Freeland sculptor contributed the design for the relief work to be cast into the concrete planter panels, and then, captivated by the community spirit, joined in on the casting pours and planter assembly.
Carol Dean of Dean Tile and Design donated design and ceramic mosaic tiles for the planter panels.
Byron and Dana Moffatt, landscaper/owners of The Cottage Garden, contributed the landscaping plan, provided trees at cost, and directed the planting process.
Payless Foods and John Kingma of Isle West, Inc., volunteered property for the sidewalk and small plaza at the Chase Bank entrance to their parking lot.
Frontier Building Supply, Dion McCauley, provided construction materials at below cost.
Ace Hardware, Kitti Kirk, provided the plants at discounted cost.
Rempel Concrete, Dave Walden, provided concrete for the planters at a discount.
Napa Auto, Jim Price, provided a staging area for the assembly materials.
Nichols Diversified Industries, Justin Nichols, donated at cost the metal brackets used to assemble the planters.
Robert Adamson donated lumber for the concrete forms and brought his tractor to the project each day.
Richard Epstein, local contractor, donated carpentry labor for the concrete pours and planter assembly.
Mary Solt donated hours of tractor time and planter form building.
Larry McMaster, contractor, donated concrete form boards for the planter panels, and brought his tractor to town, spending several days with the assembly crew.
Jim Chadwick donated tractor, trailer and labor assistance for concrete pouring, transportation and assembly of planters.
Jim Barrett and Bill Frederick donated time tying steel for the planter forms.
Al Brown, local blacksmith and artist, donated his studio and instruction time to teach Ian Solt and Ed Shope how to construct 240 steel pickup loops for the concrete panels.
Brittany Maynard and her 20-member student volunteer crew from Seattle University spent a day planting trees, shrubs and ground cover in the planters under the direction of the Moffatts.
Island County Department of Public Works Project Manager Joantha Guthrie assisted with supervision as well acting as daily safety coordinator for the volunteer teams installation efforts.
Also from IC Public Works, Joe Araucto, P.E., helped coordinate the project.
Chet Ross, President of the Freeland Chamber of Commerce, lent valuable expertise and general assistance.
The entire board of directors of Friends of Freeland donated countless hours of volunteer planning and labor. The list of volunteers goes on - truly an enormous effort - the kind that makes Freeland a very special place to live.

Demonstration Project:

Knitty Purl, 2005 The sets of planter boxes in the photo were built to demonstrate to the community the visual value of commercial site landscaping. Although the completed project was in place for a year and a half before the owner sold the property, it set an example for dressing up an otherwise unattractive site.

Dana Moffatt of The Cottage Garden donated design time for the landscaping. Contractor LeRoy Boren and crew volunteered for the planter framing. Assisting were FoF board members Gerry Rawlings, Mike Dolan, Jim Short, Marlane Harrington, with members Mark Harrington, and Mary Solt. Volunteer labor and in-kind materials were valued at $6,500.

Capes Loop Trail, 2005

A significant link in plans to make our greater Freeland community walkable, FoF Board member Jim Wright approached the Capes family, asking if they would be willing to dedicate a 10' by 300' easement along their south property line adjacent to the backside of Payless Grocery and Ace Hardware. The Capes family generously dedicated this easement in 2005. The 10' easement connects to a county 'right of way' which in turn connects to Dutch Hollow Rd. The complete walkway - about 6/10's of a mile, effectively connects E Harbor Rd with Myrtle St, taking pedestrians from the center of Freeland to our waterfront park on Holmes Harbor. The trail is used now by many pedestrians and dog-walking owners.

FoF board member Jim Wright was instrumental in securing the easement with the Capes family, and also cleared part of the site from blackberries. In 2006-2007, Bruce Bell Construction cleared and grubbed the trail, and Albert Gabelein graded the site and provided a gravel base. FoF applied for and received $3000 from the Port of South Whidbey toward the cost of this work.

Projected for 2011: In the photo above, FoF Vice President Bill Frederick reviews surfacing plans with Richard Rhydes. We plan to provide a pervious surface treatment of recycled asphalt and a short bridge to span a surface water drainage course with traffic bollards at the trail ends. At an estimated cost of $7000, FoF seeks in-kind contributions from the community of $3000. FoF just received a grant from the Archibald Norman Charitable Foundation in the amount of $3000 toward the project, and the balance of $4000 will be raised with local donations.

U.S. Bank, 2006

US Bank Freeland Branch Manager Richard Newton, and FoF President Richard Rhydes review landscaping plans on a trellis bench designed and built by FoF volunteer John Shinneman for a pedestrian-friendly resting spot on Harbor Ave. (Another of these benches is located on Main St in front of Harbor Inn Motel.)

In March of 2006 FoF took the lead in relandscaping the entire U.S. Bank site, including construction of a 4' retaining wall along Main Street and Harbor Ave, and replacing trees removed by the bank for height issues with new trees suitable for the site. The now maturing landscaping is an asset both to the bank and the community.

U.S. Bank provided $7000 for plants and landscape materials. FoF provided $14,000 of in kind volunteer labor and equipment. Our late FoF Board member Gerry Rawlings supervised the retaining wall construction by volunteers. Local landscaper Byron Moffatt provided pro bono landscape design and supervised the volunteer planting crews.

 

New Pathway, Main St, at Payless Grocery, 2006

In June of 2006 approximately 60 FoF volunteers gathered for 3 days to clear sod, install wood curb and lay down 150' of crushed gravel walkway from just below the Post Office to the entry of the Payless parking lot.

The project was directed by FoF board member, Bill Frederick. FoF board member Jim Short brought 40 Windermere Real Estate volunteers for a day. Local contractor Richard Epstein donated 2 laborers for 2 days. Contractor Jerry Lloyd donated his time and tractor work. And FoF volunteer Carol Jones and her retired co-worker friends, former flight attendants, provided vital supervision.

Once the pathway was completed, FoF added the bench at the bus stop, near the stairway to Payless parking. FoF Benches throughout downtown Freeland.

 

 

 

U.S. Post Office, 2006

FoF Executive Director Mike Dolan stands at the top of the famous Post Office steps.

On July 4, 2006, Mike Dolan and FoF volunteers Jerry Lloyd, Stan Day and Richard Rhydes installed treated wood steps and skirts at the direction of Postmistress Carol. The steps replaced a potentially hazardous dirt gully used by pedestrians leaving the crosswalk corner to travel east to the Post Office, creating safer access. A small project carried out in our non-municipal town, which otherwise may not have found funding or attention.

 

Puget Sound Energy Substation, 2007

In the spring of 2007 FoF board members Janis Swalwell and Richard Rhydes met with PSE's arborist to plan the re-landscaping of their property along Main Street as the result of a PSE substation safety tree-clearing operation.

The new landscaping was designed to be drought tolerant and use native plants that also provided bird-friendly food sources. In addition, FoF donated and installed a bench in that location.

Main Street Boardwalk, 2009

Our new FoF President and contractor LeRoy Boren, shown here with his chief carpenter, Ian, during the construction of the pedestrian boardwalk. The project was designed by architect Richard Rhydes , and built out by volunteers LeRoy Boren and his crew. They constructed 120 linear feet of boardwalk and seating over an existing County ditch along Main St at Chase Bank.

At this particular site pedestrians were literally forced off the pavement during times of heavy traffic.

As Freeland expands as an urban center for south Whidbey, pedestrian traffic competes with auto traffic for right of way, and projects like this one create safety for all.

FoF will finish the project in 2011 with landscaping and an arbor over the seating. Volunteers have contributed $12,000 in in-kind services to date.

Sidewalk at Payless, 2009

Doug Spalding of A2Z Concrete Finishing directs concrete pour for the new sidewalk at Payless Grocery, December 2009.

A vital link in the pedestrian way through Freeland, the sidewalk and wall are constructed on property owned by Isle West Properties (Payless owners). Permission to build the sidewalk and retaining wall was generously granted FoF by John Kingma of Isle West Properties.

Funds for materials and plants were donated by the following organizations and individuals: Whidbey General Hospital Foundation, Laura Blankenship, Executive Director ($2,500); Clinton Garden Club, Gabriele Delon ($300); Cotswald Collectables, Tina Windeler ($100); Friends of Freeland, ($4,600).

Volunteers for the project included: Contractor Larry McMaster with his foreman Chris Dance, and carpenter Zack formed and poured the beautiful, long retaining sculpture wall. Sculpture panels were designed by Freeland artist, Sue Taves. Albert Gabelein volunteered the necessary back hoe work. Jim Chadwick and Richard Epstein helped throughout and Richard Rhydes offered the design. In-kind services contributed by volunteers: top $14,000+.

This spring FoF will organize additional landscaping to finish the site.

Meet the Board

In introducing our new board, we first offer heartfelt thanks to departing board members Kristi Wallis, Jerry Hill, and Dean Enell. Their contributions over the past years have moved FoF forward significantly, and their vision continues to guide us in 2011. To prepare Friends of Freeland for future opportunities, Executive Director Mike Dolan proposed expanding the board from seven members to nine members. After discussion at the September 2010 board meeting, the board agreed to the proposal and several names were suggested, each with strong skills and experiences in areas beneficial to FoF. At the October meeting the board appointed June Davis, Ellen Dickey and Matt Kukuk to vacant board positions, noting that they would subsequently be on the 2011 election ballot for a vote of the membership. Please welcome these new people to your board!

Click here for full bios.

FoF Arts & Crafts Benefit Sale 2010

This year the FOF Arts & Crafts Benefit Sale took a leap forward. We had the highest sales ever, raising not only more money for our many projects, but we also helped bring more income to the artists in our community. Friends of Freeland sent checks to the artists totaling over $10,000!! This benefits all of us.

How did we do that in these tough economic times? It took tremendous support from our sponsors, volunteers, and hard working board. It is such a joy to work with so many positive 'can do' people, and to know we are supported by so many local businesses. We promoted this year's show all over NW Washington, talking about the 40 talented artists we would represent and the historic setting for our yearly event.

The FoF Arts & Crafts Sale presents Freeland as the dynamic town we live in, and we know this event represents that as well as the diversity of our community. We hope this will help promote Freeland as another fine destination on Whidbey Island. It seems more customers from farther away are learning what we already know; they traveled from as far away as Seattle and Bellingham to shop and experience this great place. Freeland Hall was humming with customers enjoying an engaging art setting all three days.

We want to thank our sponsors and donors who contributed time and money to support the sale: Wescott Flooring, Whidbey Island Bank, US Bank, Island Athletic Club, Jangaard Clinic, the Peyser Family, Davido Consulting Group, Windermere Real Estate, Harbor Inn Motel, Skagit Farmers Supply, A+ Auto Glass, Serious Auto Body, Mukilteo Coffee and June Davis.

Most of all, thank you to the volunteers who made the sale such a success:

Marlane Harrington, Bake Sale Captain; Ellen Dickey, Volunteer Coordinator; Vi Frederick, Sales Desk;, Susan Olberding, Inventory and Sales Records; Michael Stadler, Photography; Jan Swalwell, Deb Short, Rob Adamson, Richard Rhydes, Tina Jarvis, Mike Belangie, Mike Dolan, Catherine Rawlings, Anne Sullivan, Barb Musgrove, Bill Frederick, Deb Short, Dianna Bolton, Dorcas Young, Elizabeth Whitman, Fritz Roetman, Geoff Tapert, Gwen Soto, Ian McGowan, Isobel Marker, Jane Ducharme, Jim Chadwick, Joan Soltys, Judy Collins, Juliana Ward, June Davis, Karen Jeffries, Ken Dickey, Kristi Wallis, Lou Malzone, Marilyn Strayer, Marty Van Engelen, Mary Solt, Meg Wingard, Patricia Westling, Rhoda Van Engelen, Rikki Moress, Ronald Wallick, Sam Wolfe, Sandra Day, Sharon Vanderslice, Tina Windeler, Val Johnson, Willard Michael, Rachel Roetman, Beth & Gary Smith of Mukilteo Coffee for the endless coffee pot & holiday gift coffee; Bake Sale staff & bakers, Joan Govedare, Tina Jarvis, Lou & Emyle Malzone, Jan Parlier, Barbara Peyser, Laura Roetcisender, Karen Streicher, and Julie Vosoba. FOF Arts & Crafts Sale Chair, Jerry Hill.

The Friends of Freeland Wetlands Initiative

Sanctuary for Wildlife and People

The "crown jewel" network of wetland and forest upland properties successfully purchased by Friends of Freeland over the past 10 years is a result of tireless fundraising efforts and generous donations. We have the opportunity to preserve this natural environment as wildlife habitat, open to the public for passive recreational enjoyment forever.

FoF Wetlands

Located between Scott and Newman Roads in Freeland, the site has been noted by Audubon and Island County as a wetland of significant interest. A wide variety of birds, amphibians, and mammals, some of them unusual or in threatened status, make their homes in this beautiful and tranquil area. The FoF Wetlands is also envisioned as a refuge for people to take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life, and enjoy the scenic trails and learning environment.

How can our community enjoy this refuge without disturbing its inhabitants and while preserving its natural state? In consultation with ecologists, we are learning how to build trails that minimally affect nature and biological processes, while providing human access to the wonders of this pristine environment.

In 2007 a short loop trail was marked for development through the forested upland areas leading down to the wetland, returning along one section of its edge and back to the starting point. The trail, nearing completion, winds through the western 8 acres, leaving over 80 percent of the property in its natural state. This provides a safe haven for wildlife, including protection of nesting areas for birds during spring months.

Community Partnerships

FoF has been working closely with Whidbey Audubon, who in the early years conducted monthly bird surveys to help us know the scope of avian residency. Plans are now under development to provide for public access - including a small parking area, entry signage, interpretive selfguiding trail signage, a wildlife viewing platform/blind at the wetland edge and an outdoor classroom focused on wetland education.

Conceptual drawings will be posted on our website once completed. Funds needed for this next step of development are being sought through grants and private contributions.

Importance to You

Recreation and Education

The FoF Wetlands create a protected area at the edge of fast-growing Freeland, which will provide passive recreational opportunities for residents and a home for wildlife in a largely natural area of native plants.

 

Water Containment & Runoff

The FoF Wetlands significantly control water runoff, easing flooding downstream to Useless Bay. This wetland is an important filter of pollutants that enter our waters through chemical runoff from roads, farms, homes and businesses. They are also a valuable contributor in capturing rainwater, enabling the water to seep slowly into our aquifer, recharging our water supply. These are compelling reasons for its value as open space, establishing its highest use.

Public Control & Protection from Development

With the exceptional gift of land from Virginia Booth and the final 5-acre purchase added most recently, the 46 acres are now part of the public domain. Working with Island County and the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, we will be placing a conservation easement on the FoF Wetlands to ensure they will always be kept as intended, a community asset, available to all for passive recreational and educational enjoyment. This legacy work is part of our community's overall efforts to define what makes Freeland unique and preserve it for future generations.

FoF Wetlands History

2000 Friends of Freeland forms as 501(c)(3) nonprofit to acquire wetlands. Final purchase is 12+ acres.

2001 - 2003 1.3 acres added through negotiation with neighboring property owner, Birds of a Feather LLC. Conversation with Whidbey Camano Land Trust regarding easements and land trust succession. Johnny Palka, retired biology professor from University of Washington, chairs the FoF Wetlands Committee and joins the Board of Directors.

2003 Virginia Booth donates 28+ acres with a mandate for preservation. Two ecologists survey the properties.

2004-2005 Whidbey Audubon volunteers conduct year-long bird surveys.

2005-2006 5 acres of biologically valuable habitat with open water purchased from Howard Davis, creating contiguous link across properties.

2006 Extensive study of property completed by intern Curtis Kukal, at the invitation of Johnny Palka.

2007-2008 Delineation and blazing of initial loop trail with GPS mapping.

2009 Property left undisturbed while initial plans reviewed and developed for public access.

2010 Trail walk with Wetland Committee members, FoF Board and Whidbey Audubon Board.

2010 FoF hires Executive Director to move organization to next level.

Late 2010: Initiated grant requests to several Northwest Philanthropic Organizations.

2011 NEXT STEPS Spring: Re-clear & surface trail with bark, Summer: Build parking area & outdoor classroom Fall: Build wildlife viewing platform Winter: Install interpretive signage

2012 Summer Opening Celebration!

Join the Wetlands Initiative!

The purchase of the last 5-acre parcel was completed with bridge loans and donations. Over the past four years nearly half of the initial $70,000 in bridge loans have been repaid. In order to payoff the remaining loans and open the property to public enjoyment, we invite you to join our fundraising campaign. Help us raise $35,000 by the end of 2012.

Here's how: Your tax-deductible contribution may be made payable to Friends of Freeland, earmarked "Wetland Initiative." Mail to: PO Box 861, Freeland WA, 98249. Or you may contribute via our website right here.

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Hello everyone! As your new executive Director you'd probably like to know a little about me. Well, I retired from Boeing in 2002 after 31 years with the company. I have been serving on non profit boards for over 20 years, including 4 years with Friends of Freeland as Secretary. I've been married to my lovely wife Tina for nineteen years. Between us we have two daughters and three grandchildren. Traveling in our motor home we enjoy hiking, bicycling, kayaking, sightseeing and visiting new places.

In July of 2010, I signed a contract to become the Friends of Freeland Executive Director. The role of a board member and executive director are quite different - as executive director I am a contract employee serving at the pleasure of the board. I have a responsibility to carry out the wishes of the board in furthering the FoF Mission. To this end, I exercise oversight for all our event and project committees, initiate grant requests, and act as a voice for the organization doing public speaking to get the word out about Friends of Freeland. Currently my work list is running to three pages so there is a lot to do. More importantly though, my role is to bring a set of organizational skills and a vision that can take FoF to the next level.

Being a nonprofit means we are totally dependent on our members, donors, program sponsors, fundraising and grants to move the organization forward. All self sustaining organizations must grow to be effective in their communities.

All successful organizations have one thing in common – people. People with dedication who can do Communications, Volunteer Coordination, Fundraising and Project Management. With dedicated people on board in part or full time positions, we can "bootstrap" ourselves to the next level.

At the board retreat in January, the board discussed how to achieve these things. It takes time, money, commitment and a vision of where we want to be to become a fully self sustaining organization.

I encourage everyone who has an interest in the future of Freeland to join us as we move into the second decade of the 21st century and the second decade of Friends of Freeland.

Best Regards, Mike Dolan

Launching the New Website!

FoF has a fresh look and new branding! Three months ago, your board signed a website development contract with Ann Welch Productions in Port Townsend, WA. Ann has worked extensively with nonprofit organizations and after meeting her we felt she would be the one to do the work.

FoF volunteer Janis Swalwell built a site map and with help from the new executive director was able to provide Ann a good idea of where we wanted to go. Patterning our site on several others focused on community development and environmental issues, we believe we have come up with a very good approach.

We invite you to check out our new website, spend some time learning about FoF and drop us a line if you think of improvements or projects you'd like to see or just to let us know you visited.

FoF Membership

FoF invites you to become a member or renew your membership

The Board of Directors is embarking on a new membership drive. At present there are about 50 active (dues paying) members including nearly a dozen corporate sponsors and major donors. As Friends of Freeland becomes a larger presence in our community our membership needs to grow. Partly this is to increase funding for operations but more importantly, a larger membership ensures that we are supported by and speaking for a broader section of the community. As we continue to expand our role in serving Freeland we need to broaden our membership base to support this expansion.

In 2000, FoF initially formed to purchase and preserve a Freeland property identified as wetlands and wooded uplands important to the ecology of our area. A tremendous push was made to acquire the property at short notice. Receiving a further gift of 28+ acres in 2003 from Virginia Booth, a large portion of the wetlands system was now in FoF's ownership. With the purchase in 2005/2006 of the 5-acre Davis property, FoF added a vital parcel linking the properties contiguously. Today, FoF stewards a total of 46 acres and everyone can be proud of this accomplishment!

Once these parcels were acquired and under study, FoF looked toward fulfillment of other aspects of its mission to enhance quality of life for greater Freeland. We are a major voice in Freeland working to develop a better future for all of us. We are building trails and pathways, engaging in discussions about our future, monitoring the health of our harbor, working with the county and property owners to improve pedestrian safety, bringing beautification to downtown and keeping our roadways clean through our Adopt a Road program.

To do these things requires the time and effort of many volunteers. To engage volunteers people need to be informed about what is going on and what opportunities there are for them to participate in. To know what is going on we need communication. By getting this newsletter out to all our present and past friends we are letting you know what we are doing in our community.

Everyone needs to be involved in helping develop our future. From fundraising activities like the Arts & Crafts Sale and Bake Sale to work parties serving our "Trails" and "Beautification" projects, we depend on volunteers to step forward from our membership.

Members of the board are elected as leaders to set directions and strategies for accomplishing the goals defined by our mission and our community. Today your board is calling on all members past and present, all "Friends" of Freeland to become engaged, to dream of what we can do in our community and make those dreams come true. We did it with the wetlands and as a team we can accomplish even more.

Mike Dolan, Executive Director

Get Involved!

Do you have time to give and skills to share? Let us know, and we'll contact you to see how to work together.

We want to build a team strong in the areas of communications, promotion, and volunteer organization and development.

Our projects in Freeland use skills ranging from physical work on trails and pathways, landscape maintenance and planting, construction, running audio/ video equipment, cleaning roadsides, and staffing events, to fine baking and small equipment operation.

We can use a hand with administrative support, website management, and database design and entry skills. We welcome your expertise in event planning, project management, fundraising, and report writing.

There are skills you may wish to offer that will enable us to reach out in ways we haven't had the capacity to do before!

Call us at 360/331.1224, or fill out our membership form and mail it in.

FoF Arts & Crafts Benefit Sale!

Mark your calendar - the 8th annual FoF Arts & Crafts Benefit Sale is scheduled this year Friday, December 2nd through Sunday, December 4th at Freeland Hall.

Join us for a wonderful offering of artwork, holiday baked goods, and the opportunity to make a significant contribution to FoF's operating fund for the coming year. You will find everything from hand-bound books to finely crafted bows and arrows! Discover hand woven and sewn textiles, ceramic garden items, clay tiles, hand blown glass, body care products, novels and short stories by island authors, jewelry, beads, children's gifts, and much, much more. Our FoF bakers prepare a sumptuous array of baked items, including cookies, bars, quick breads, cakes, and holiday specialties. Our local coffee roasters contribute special holiday blends packaged to go.