Nikko's Notes

Building Community with Hilary Canty

Have you used the new school track? Do you ever visit or donate to the Food Bank? Have you ever needed housing assistance? Have you taken classes in the elementary school about emotional awareness? Hilary Canty, the Executive Director of the Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF), is a BIG part of making all these amazing things happen. She is also a dedicated volunteer EMT at Orcas Island Fire and Rescue.

Hilary’s early life had a big impact on the way she lives her life now. She lived with seven brothers and sisters, and in her neighborhood, some families had ten or more kids. There were approximately seventy kids in their neighborhood in Washington, DC. Sometimes they stayed up until midnight with fun and games then managed to sneak out again for another hour of fun. Being around so many people helped her learn about big groups and be comfortable surrounded by many people.

She learned her biggest lesson about people at a young age when...