Get out your pens and check books, here is my annual wish list for the holiday season. First, I want to mention that while there are many, many worthy causes off-Island I am a firm believer in charity begins at home so my list is geared to Island needs. If you need any addresses call me up!

Here is my wish list for this season:

The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard. The MSPCA pulled out? Fine. We’ll take care of it ourselves. The shelter is in the same facility the MSPCA was in Edgartown. Stop by and check it out.

The Boys & Girls Club. This is an invaluable resource, so helpful to so many parents and children. Make sure to designate in the memo it is for our Edgartown facility.

Girl Scouts of Martha’s Vineyard, Boy Scouts of Martha’s Vineyard. The money will stay on-Island if you say so.

Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard. Who on-Island has not felt the warm touch of this group?

The Island Benevolent Fund, off to a roaring great start, Islanders helping each other.

Your local church, the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center, your town’s senior center. Time for us to finish funding a full time senior facility. You may also ear mark your check for this purpose.

Connect to End the Violence, formerly Women’s Support Services. You can contact them through Martha’s Vineyard Community Services and, if possible, send a check to MVCS at the same time.

If you can’t give money, give time. Volunteer at our beautiful hospital, Meals on Wheels, at your local senior center, your town’s library, with the scouts, the Boys & Girls club. Call Betty Burton, she always has a thoughtful project to work on. My American Legion Post 257 on Martin Road needs some funds for building maintenance.

Just to be equitable. I should say if you are a member of the Edgartown legion post, if your heart and bar stool are at the VFW, think of all the wonderful programs they support for our veterans. Go to the grade schools and help the children read, go to the high school and get involved in a club or sports activity you had no time for in your own youth. Thank you all and God bless.

Tisbury School is ready to sign your child up for kindergarten. Barbara Armstrong at the office says your student must be five or older by Sept. 1, 2016 to register. Email Barbara at barmstrong@mvyps.org to request a pre-registration packet and set up an appointment. You may also call Barbara at 508-696-6500.

The Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse has a special family movie Friday at 3 p.m. Five dollars at the door, and you can take your family and friends to see E.T. While you are there, check out the art space which features the Vineyard Journeys of Joan Walsh.

That reminds me that the pastel paintings of my talented friend, Lowely Finnerty, will be on view and for sale at the Artisans Fair at the Agricultural Hall, open Friday and Saturday. Say hi to Lowely for me, I loved having her kids in school.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Fan Tuttle Schroeder, Phil Ginter and Heidi Schwab Friday. Nov. 28 is shared by Aidan Gomez Blanco and Joey Tobin. Nov. 29 belongs to Sister St. John Delaney and Laine Levandowski. Nov. 30 shines on Marcia Cunningham. Dec. 1 is for Becca Dunham. Dec. 2 is a party for Allison Silva, Lucy DiTerlizzi and Mitch Wertlieb. And on Dec. 3 the real John Alley takes the cake. Many happy returns.

Send Vineyard Haven news to iklean@yahoo.com.