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Investing in the Future
Investing in the Future: Celebrating Our 2026 Windermere Foundation Scholarship Recipients!
At Windermere Real Estate Whidbey Island, we believe that investing in our community means investing in the people who will shape its future. Each year, the Windermere Foundation is proud to support local students as they take the next step toward meaningful careers. This year we’re honored to award two $2,000 scholarships to graduating seniors pursuing careers in the skilled trades.
Congratulations to our 2026 Windermere Foundation Scholarship recipients:
- Killian of Coupeville High School, who will be attending Bellingham Technical College (BTC).
- Madison of Oak Harbor High School, who will be attending Evergreen Beauty College.
We’re incredibly proud of both students and can’t wait to see all they accomplish. Their hard work, determination, and commitment to their future embody the values these scholarships were created to celebrate.
Simona Groves, shared:
“These scholarships are close to our hearts because they support students choosing vocational programs, trade schools and certification programs, paths that deserve every bit as much recognition and investment as any other. To our 2026 scholarship recipients: congratulations! Watching your hard work and dedication payoff is exactly why we do this. We couldn’t be more excited for you as you step into this next chapter. Go make something incredible!”
Supporting Education That Strengthens Our Community
At Windermere Real Estate Whidbey Island, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to pursue the future they’ve worked so hard to build. The Windermere Foundation Scholarship was created to support students with financial need who are pursuing technical and vocational careers. This includes trade schools, certification programs, community colleges, and other hands-on educational opportunities.
These careers are the backbone of our communities. From healthcare and cosmetology to construction, manufacturing and technology. Skilled professionals make a lasting difference every day. By helping ease the financial burden of continuing education, we’re investing in students and in the future of our community.
Powered by Our Community
One of the things that makes the Windermere Foundation so meaningful is that every dollar raised by Windermere Real Estate Whidbey Island stays right here on Whidbey Island. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Foundation is dedicated to supporting low-income families with children. Thanks to the generosity of our agents, clients and community, we’re able to make a meaningful impact where it matters most.
With every home bought or sold through a Windermere agent, a portion of their compensation is donated to the Foundation. Additional support comes from local fundraising events and generous contributions from our agents. Together, these efforts create opportunities for students like Killian and Madison to pursue their dreams with greater confidence.
Congratulations, Killian and Madison!
Killian and Madison, this scholarship reflects your hard work, perseverance and dedication. We are incredibly proud to celebrate this milestone with you. It is an honor to play a small part in your journey.
As you begin this exciting new chapter, know that your community is cheering you on. Congratulations, we cannot wait to see everything that comes next for both of you!
Want to learn more about ways that you can support the Windermere Foundation and our community? Or learn how to apply for a scholarship in the future? Connect with us here.
Giving Back Together at YMCA Camp Casey
One of our favorite traditions at Windermere Real Estate Whidbey Island and Windermere Property Management is participating in Windermere’s annual Community Service Day. Since 1984, Windermere agents and staff have dedicated a day each year to giving back. Together they have contributed more than one million volunteer hours to support local organizations and community projects. We’re proud to continue this longstanding tradition and invest in the communities where we live, work, and play. For 2026 we’re giving back together at YMCA Camp Casey.
This year:
This year, our Windermere Whidbey Island and Property Management teams spent the day volunteering at YMCA Camp Casey in Coupeville. We joined forces with Jake Carlson’s team to help tackle a variety of projects throughout the camp. Some of those projects included gardening, landscaping, and furniture building. It was incredibly rewarding to roll up our sleeves and contribute to maintaining a place that serves thousands of youths, families, and community members each year.
About YMCA Camp Casey:
YMCA Camp Casey has a rich history on Whidbey Island. The camp is located on the historic grounds of the former Fort Casey military reservation. It offers transformative outdoor education programs, youth camps, leadership development opportunities, and family retreats. With its stunning waterfront setting and diverse programming, Camp Casey provides a welcoming environment where young people can build confidence, develop new skills, and create lifelong memories. The work done by volunteers helps ensure the camp remains a safe, beautiful, and inspiring place for future generations to enjoy.
Collaboration didn’t stop there:
Our day was made even better thanks to the generous support of Global Credit Union Home Loans. They sponsored lunch for all the volunteers. Sharing a meal together gave everyone an opportunity to connect, recharge, and celebrate the progress we made throughout the day. We were thrilled to have Liz Carlson from Land Title and Escrow join us. Her willingness to jump right in and lend a hand exemplified the spirit of collaboration and community that makes events like Community Service Day so meaningful.
What it all means:
Being part of Community Service Day is a reminder of the difference we can make when we come together to support our community. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with organizations like YMCA Camp Casey and to be part of a company that believes in giving back. A heartfelt thank you to YMCA Camp Casey for welcoming us, to our community partners for their support, and to every volunteer who dedicated their time and energy. It’s an honor to be part of a tradition that strengthens our community. We look forward to continuing that commitment for years to come.
From our participants:
“What a great way to spend Eric and I’s 25th Community Service Day with Windermere.” -Aleshia Mitten, Co-Owner
“It was refreshing to see the Real Estate and Property Management departments of Windermere to come together to do a project for the community. I enjoyed every bit of getting dirt under my fingernails and bonding with everyone. What a great way to start the weekend.” -Adella Sanders, Property Manager
“I’ve truly enjoyed participating in our Community Service Day each year for the past 9 years and each experience reminds me how fortunate I am to be part of a company that truly values giving back to the communities we serve. This year, our team spent the day volunteering at YMCA Camp Casey. It was wonderful to spend time working alongside colleagues, helping with projects that will benefit a lot of families and visitors throughout the year. There is something incredibly rewarding about coming together, rolling up our sleeves, and knowing that our efforts are making a positive impact.” -Simona Groves, Broker
“It was a great day at Camp Casey! I am grateful that our team had the opportunity to connect with them and help wherever we could. I am also hopeful it is the start of a collaboration for many years to come.” -Andrew Hosford, Broker
Can you see yourself as part of this experience next year? Connect with us to talk about starting your Real Estate career today.
Coming Together for a Cause
There is something special about coming together for a cause and gathering around a table with good food, great company, and a shared purpose. Recently, our Windermere Real Estate Oak Harbor and Coupeville offices on Whidbey Island did just that. Agents Simona Groves and Jonathan Young hosted a home made spaghetti lunch fundraiser that brought together agents from both our Oak Harbor and Coupeville offices.
A memorable afternoon
The event was filled with all the ingredients for a memorable afternoon: wine, spaghetti and meatballs, fresh baked sourdough, and a delicious banana pudding. Beyond the meal itself, the day was about connection, generosity, and giving back to the Whidbey Island community that we are so proud to call home.
As Simona, who organized the event, shared:
“We were so excited to host an Italian lunch to support the Windermere Foundation, featuring wine, spaghetti and meatballs, fresh baked sourdough, and a delicious banana pudding. It turned into such a fun and meaningful gathering, bringing agents from both our Oak Harbor and Coupeville offices together to not only raise funds, but to enjoy a great meal and spend some time connecting with one another.
Most importantly, every dollar raised goes directly to the Windermere Foundation, helping support local families and funding the scholarships we offer to students pursuing careers in the trades. It’s a beautiful reminder that when we come together, even something as simple as sharing a meal can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.”
Thanks to the generosity of everyone who attended and contributed, the event raised an incredible $1,170 for the Windermere Foundation.
The Windermere Foundation
Those funds will go directly toward supporting local low-income families with children and providing scholarships to students seeking to continue their education and pursue careers in the trades. It’s a mission that is deeply important to our offices, and one we are honored to support year after year. We are currently accepting scholarship applications till April 30th. If interested in applying, please fill out the application here.
Events like this are a reminder that community is about more than where we live but rather about how we care for one another. We are so grateful to everyone who helped make this event such a success and are proud to be part of a community that continues to show up with generosity and heart.
