By Daniel Hooker
I watch our Island community batten down the hatches, preparing for the ongoing storm that is a bipartisan multi-billion dollar cluster bomb of a budget. It’s dropped on the most impoverished portion of our population. I take pride in the people of Vashon-Maury Island and our determination and organized efforts to keep our Islanders afloat in this tempestuous political storm that is indiscriminate of families and children. It cuts deeply and slashes at civility.
When you look at Vashon-Maury Island as a haven from the outside world, you must take pride also in its abilities through the decades (and even a century back) to remain the tight-knit community of caring individuals, families, and businesses that make us a whole village.
There are many business on the Island, all teeming with resources that eventually funnel their generosity and love for our community into non-profits that keep this community afloat. Granny’s Attic is much more than a “thrift store,” with all the odds and ends that make it unique. I even found a numbered Picasso print for sale there …
Brian Vascovi, the manager of Granny’s said in an interview on Halloween, that, from jewelry to art, many items are a third to half the actual fair-market values. Granny’s Attic has a website that leads you to their eBay Store. What I understand is that this sales venue could use help from volunteers to grow this side of the business.
At present, approximately one-half of the grants asked for are given, with numbers like $100K per grant cycle. (I believe grants are given out twice a year.)
The Interfaith Council received $7,500 for its food security, such as community meals at the churches, as well as housing grants and dental needs ($8,500 just for dental).
In conclusion, when you too want to make a super contribution as a private hero in our community, tell a new neighbor about Granny’s Attic, the thrift store that gives medals for participation (in the form of sales receipts for purchases). Buying treasures of art and jewelry makes this community rich as well as prosperous.
Thank you, Granny’s Attic for your efforts, and thank you, shoppers for being the Clark Kents that keep our community flying.
