To the editor:

For so many reasons, Bainbridge Island is a special place to live, specifically because we all care so deeply about this community.

We care about our kids’ education and recreation. We care about our seniors. We care about preserving our history and encouraging the arts. We care about helping those of us who are facing health, food or housing difficulties. We care about saving our open spaces and wildlife. We care about our town, our neighbors and our institutions.

One measure of the depth of that commitment is the fact that over 96 different nonprofit groups are actively serving the Bainbridge community. Think about it — that’s 96 different organizations in one small town, made up of thousands of your neighbors, volunteering their time to keep Bainbridge unique and wonderful.

Helpline, Sustainable Bainbridge, Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, youth soccer, the historical museum, the land trust, the Housing Resources Board, volunteer firefighters, the public schools Foundation, and dozens of other groups — all of whom are made up of people who choose to work together on behalf of our town.

But for everyone, time is in short supply. Some of us can afford the time to volunteer, and some of us can’t. But there is one easy way that everyone can be a part of this caring community.

For over 55 years One Call For All has provided a simple way for each of us to help support all of us. Through the annual One Call For All RED ENVELOPE campaign, you can pledge your support to the many groups that take care of our home. You can target your support to one or a few non-profits, or you can give to all them with one check to the One Call Community Fund.

Please consider giving generously to the Red Envelope campaign this year. The envelope should have arrived in your mailbox last month. But, if you can’t find it, please go on line and donate at ONECALLFORALL.ORG.

Give today. You are not just supporting the community you love. You are personally participating in the Bainbridge spirit of giving. Express how much you care about this community by giving to ONE CALL FOR ALL today. You’ll be glad you did.

Thank you.

BRUCE WEILAND

One Call For All