Responding to a need he saw demonstrated by friends in the community, islander Rich Osborne has been working to support Vashon Youth & Family Services’ Case Management Voucher Program, and will hold a fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 27, at Camp Burton Lodge.

“I stand in awe of what VYFS accomplishes and does for people here,” he said. “Anything I can do to raise money and help them improve the efficacy of what they are doing, is all good.”

Osborne’s story has been one of discovery, enlightenment and determination on the path to next week’s event. It all started, he said, upon finding out that a friend of his was not going to be able to open her own restaurant as had been her dream — because transportation costs (ferry, gas, parking) of taking her husband to cancer treatments were running upwards of $50 per day, and had ultimately eaten away at their savings.

Another friend confirmed this hardship, telling him that on the days she took her husband for his cancer treatments, they couldn’t afford lunch.

“This hits me hard,” Osborne explained. “These are hard working people. How can this be happening?”

So he decided to take action.

First came the research. This was how he discovered VYFS’ Case Management Voucher Program, which provides vouchers for many different things people might need, such as ferry fare, prescription costs, help paying bills or even shopping at Granny’s Attic.

The program is funded primarily through a grant from Granny’s Attic each year, according to VYFS’ fundraising and community engagement manager Charlotte Tiencken.

But the needs of island residents regularly exceed the grant amounts, with VYFS covering an average annual shortfall for the program of about $15,000.

“In 2017, for example, the total year’s expenses of the voucher program were $70,701,” Tiencken said. “And our Granny’s grant was for $57,000, leaving $13,000 that had to be made up from within the overall VYFS budget.”

She added that so far this year, the program had provided $45,201 in vouchers — with three months left in the year — and the Granny’s grant had been for $37,500, suggesting that the shortfall would, in all likelihood, be similar to that of last year’s.

Which brings us back to Osborne.

“My goal is to keep the vouchers available for anyone who needs them” he explained, “and that VYFS doesn’t have to cut or skimp on other programs just to make these ends meet.”

Osborne felt he needed guidance on just how to proceed, and for that he went to his Sufi — the practice of Islamic mysticism — teacher. The Sheikh told Osborne that he was proud of his desire and drive to help others and reminded him that Sufis are tasked to serve humanity. He then sent Osborne $3,000 seed money to get started. Most of that money went to purchasing ferry tickets for those who needed them.

Looking to continue the work he started but knowing that he alone could not provide enough money to supplement the voucher program, Osborne decided to set up a fundraiser.

Calling it “Home 2 Vashon” in a reference to being able to afford a ferry trip back to the island, Osborne’s event will take place at Camp Burton Lodge at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. The evening features dinner prepared by Chef Dre Neeley of Gravy, a silent auction, raffle and live music from Vashon’s Curvettes and the Dunava Balkan Choir of Seattle. Some items up for auction include a kitchen remodel design worth $2,000, a Pam Ingalls canvas, chorale tickets, tickets to the sheepdog trials and more. Tickets cost $100 per person or $175 per couple, with the proceeds going to VYFS’ Case Management Voucher Program. Tickets may be purchased at brownpapertickets.com.

Osborne hopes to make it an annual event.

“The need is just so great,” he said. “I just want to help close the gap.”