'Tis the Season to Give

With the Wyland house on Sheep Pond Road tumbling into the ocean this week and the Steamship Authority without ferry service for part of the day on Saturday, with both the Iyannough and the Eagle out of commission, we are reminded that island living is not without its challenges.

This Saturday is "Give Back to Merchants Day," a campaign that is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Nantucket and Think Local First!, an initiative of Sustainable Nantucket and the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce.

When the community rallies to support a cause, an event or a nonprofit, it first seeks support from island businesses. As anyone who has solicited funds or donations for a charitable cause knows, it is a tough sell on the mainland to get the big box stores to donate to Nantucket events.

Give Back to Merchants Day seeks to support those who are there to support us in our time of need. And, it also seeks to support an island nonprofit by donating a $500 prize to the nonprofit that receives the most tallies.

If you cannot participate in Give Back to Merchants Day, there are plenty of opportunities to donate directly to an island nonprofit this holiday season.

On page 14 of this newspaper, you will find a host of worthy nonprofit organizations providing a range of services for island residents.