Submitted by the San Juan Island Community Foundation
Supporting the health of our most vulnerable neighbors during COVID-19 is critical as we enter the winter months on San Juan Island. To help reduce the risk of influenza, San Juan Island Community Foundation recently granted $15,000 to help fund flu vaccinations for residents who could not otherwise afford one.
The grant funds were awarded in late September to San Juan County Health and Community Services. Funding was made possible by community donations to the SJICF Community Emergency Response Fund, created in March at the start of the COVID-19 health crisis.
While the flu vaccination will not prevent COVID-19, it will help to reduce the spread of influenza in the community by providing 800 vaccines to community members who may not otherwise get a flu shot due to financial barriers or lack of insurance coverage.
San Juan County Health and Community Services will partner with Peace Island Medical Center, Friday Harbor Drug, San Juan Island EMS, Eventide Health, and San Juan Island Public School District to administer the vaccines via a drive-through service.
According to San Juan County Health and Community Services Director Mark Tompkins, this drive-through flu clinic will also serve as an important test model to eventually provide COVID-19 vaccinations efficiently while following safe physical distancing protocol.
Since March, SJICF has raised more than $233,000 for the Emergency Response Fund and has awarded nearly $180,000 in grants to help fund education, health and human services, and small business needs during the crisis.
To donate to SJICF or to the Emergency Response Fund, call 360-378-1001 or visit sjicf.org.
Established in 1994, SJICF is celebrating more than 25 years of success in granting funds to local nonprofits and providing scholarships to local students through the generosity of donors who wish to improve the quality of life on San Juan Island. SJICF’s mission is the help the San Juan Island community thrive through inspired and informed generosity and the Foundation’s trusted stewardship. To learn more, visit sjicf.org.
