Editor,

On the Friday before Labor Day, James Steller, a parent of a Coupeville Middle School student, began running a 160-mile course around Whidbey Island as a fundraiser for the Community Foundation for Coupeville Public Schools. His efforts resulted in about $15,000 being raised to support projects, scholarships and basic needs for Coupeville students.

The board of the Foundation would like to express our thanks to all the people who helped James in this effort. Thank you to the Whidbey News-Times and Jim Waller for providing articles both before and after the event. Thank you to the Knead and Feed for opening early Friday morning to help get the run started.

Thank you to Ciao and the Penn Cove TapRoom for providing places to celebrate each finish on Saturday and Sunday. And a HUGE thank you to the many friends of James who stepped in on Sunday to complete 60 miles after James had to stay in the hospital Saturday due to kidney shutdown.

They came from all over to support the effort even if they didn’t even live in Coupeville, and it was heartwarming to see such support for James. James started it and the community finished it.

The first word in the name of our foundation is “community,” and this event is an example of why the founders 20 years ago wanted to emphasize that we aren’t just school people supporting schools, but we represent the entire community in support of students. Thank you to all the people in our community for your support.

Chic Merwine, president

Community Foundation for

Coupeville Public Schools