August is a great time to jump on the bike and pedal around the lovely Island you call home.

And if you’re looking for a bigger two-wheeled challenge this summer, you’ve got a perfect opportunity, thanks to the WhidbeyHealth Foundation.

The Tour de Whidbey, the foundation’s annual active-living fundraiser Aug. 17, offers various distances to choose from, whether you’re a competitive long-range cyclist or simply looking to ride around the waterfront.

Pick your route, they’re all beautiful

From the mammoth 162-mile Perimeter of Whidbey Endurance Route (POWER) to the relaxing 10-miler that winds its way around and through Coupeville, all routes start and end at the Coupeville High School Commons. All routes are fully supported by dedicated volunteers, with well-stocked break stations set up every 15-20 miles on the longer routes. The post-Tour celebration features music, food, Whidbey Ice Cream and cold beer, plus kids activities including corn hole games, face painting, crafting and more.

“We want it to feel like a whole-Island event,” says Heather Zustiak, the Foundation’s events and volunteer co-ordinator. “Plus we would love to start getting kids active and living a healthy lifestyle. This is a good way to get families out doing something together.”

While the Tour is a fundraiser for the WhidbeyHealth Foundation, the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year happens June 1:

Gala event full of heart

Hearts on Fire is the third annual Whidbey celebration dinner and gala and one of the Island’s social highlights. Your presence helps raise much-needed funds to improve cardiac rehabilitation capacity at WhidbeyHealth Medical Center.

“Last year we raised more than $105,000 and this year we’re shooting even higher,” says Foundation executive director Helen Taylor. The goal is to expand the services so more Island residents can receive treatment close to home after a heart attack or cardiac surgery, or to prevent cardiac emergencies.

Here’s a sampling of what you’ll find at the party:

• An amazing meal prepared by the staff at Fireseed in Langley, one of the Island’s top wedding and event venues, with locally sourced floral displays created by designer Tobey Nelson.
• Fantastic live auction items, including a week’s stay in Belize, a private tasting at Quilceda Creek Winery and a week at a brand new cottage in Chelan. There’s also plenty of silent auction items to bid on.
• Mingling with neighbours from all around Whidbey. Chances are you’ll meet some new folks!

Gala tickets are $150, available online here along with an option to donate if not attending. For other information, call Helen at 360-678-7656 ext 4020/4021 or email her at tayloh@whidbeyhealth.org. You can also follow the foundation on Facebook.

Hearts on Fire, the annual fundraiser gala put on by the WhidbeyHealth Foundation, features great food provided by Fireseed Catering at their venue in Langley, and a chance to bid on some amazing live and silent auction items. This year’s event happens June 1. Photo by Suzanne Rothmeyer