At the conclusion of the 2013 San Juan County Fair, Friday Harbor’s Zach Fincher volunteered to reach into a glass jar that held names of all contributors at the San Juan Island Community Foundation’s booth – and drew out the name of Helen Sawyer.

That gave Sawyer the opportunity to select a beneficiary to receive a charitable bonus of $1,001 from the Foundation. Because she wanted her contribution to benefit the local economy, Sawyer chose the Career Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships for islanders who wish to pursue a new career or upgrade their skills for their current job.

Donations received at the fair for any of the Foundation’s pre-selected eight local non-profits or projects were matched 50 percent by the Foundation.

More than 100 fairgoers donated to the non-profit of their choice and, with the Foundation’s 50 percent match, over $20,000 will be granted to the eight projects featured this year.