To the editor:

In these incredibly difficult times, Islanders are fortunate to be boosted by our nonprofits, who continue to step forward with compassion, skill and boundless energy.

In many cases, the organizations that are on the front lines are limited in the resources they have available to deploy. There is no better time than now to support them. Many of us can build upon relationships we have developed in the years that we have lived on the Island. We should check in with these organizations, and find out exactly how we can help.

Over the years, the Bainbridge Community Foundation has developed a Community Response Fund to enable us to be there whenever this Island faces extraordinary challenges. We had predicted its use would be to respond to an earthquake, but the events of this month have established that there is another way that our beloved community can be rocked. We are moving forward to use the funds to make grants to a small number of nonprofits who are under great pressure for their services.

This Community Response Fund had a balance of $70,000 last week and it’s growing every day thanks to dozens of Islanders. It’s now at $91,000! Contributions can be made online on the Bainbridge Community Foundation website.

We are proud to be a part of the amazing effort to keep people on this Island safe and healthy.

DAVID HARRISON

President

Bainbridge Community Foundation Board of Directors