A group of volunteers is quietly working to make things better for people on Whidbey Island.
Team Whidbey is a group of sailors and friends who volunteer during their off-duty hours to help those who express a need.
They come from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Naval Station Everett and the civilian world. They are not affiliated with a base in any way.
MA1 Samuel Gunnings, MA1 Brian Booth and MA2 Kimberly Brown took a few minutes to explain what they do and who they’ve helped since starting in January.
Their projects have included a food drive for Help House in Oak Harbor, construction work with Habitat for Humanity, refurbishing the Oak Harbor Elementary School’s track and helping to set up and tear down at the Oak Harbor March of Dimes event at City Beach Park in March.
Last weekend they pitched in to help Bill Ethridge, a World War II Air Force veteran in Coupeville.
A friend knew Ethridge wanted some planters built, so he told Gerald Psannenstiel of Veterans Affairs, who got in touch with Booth and Gunnnings.
Ethridge needed vegetable planter boxes around his green house. He also needed to re-shingle his shed roof. Team Whidbey did it all.
Booth went to Ethridge’s house to survey his supplies and made a list of what was needed. They don’t buy materials but they supply all the labor.
Brown said there were lots of reasons they volunteer with Team Whidbey.
“I like giving back to the community. It a productive way to spend my time,” she said.
Gunnings, said Booth, is the leader of the group and always had some idea for helping.
Booth had another reason for helping.
“We do more than just our daily jobs,” Booth said. “And Team Whidbey makes us feel like we are part of something bigger than ourselves.”
Gunnings said the list of people to help is getting bigger and volunteers are welcome.
The rewards are great too, according to Gunnings.
“It really helps when you do something for someone who can’t do for themselves,” he said. “That’s what really makes you feel good.”
Ethridge also liked the results of what Team Whidbey was doing Saturday.
“I think it’s great. I really do,” Ethridge said.
