On June 18, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod and the Islands held our ninth annual Blooming Bids for Kids garden party at the Field Gallery in West Tisbury. Through the most challenging year in our agency’s history, our committee, advisory board and staff navigated ever changing regulations to ensure the single largest fundraiser for our program on-Island went off without a hitch. The committee would like to extend a special note of thanks to Chris and Sheila Morse, who graciously donate their venue year after year in support of our mission.

The weather was picture perfect, the food and drink from Truly Scrumptious Catering was phenomenal and the sold-out crowd of 150 dedicated supporters celebrated the resiliency of our Island youth — who thanks to their Bigs, were a little less isolated during the past year and a half.

The Island community, gardeners and landscapers, with generous sponsors and donors too numerous to list, came together and broke records raising over $70,000 in support of our program on Martha’s Vineyard. On behalf of the over 100 kids we have matched with the funds raised from this event, and the many more we plan to match — thank you.

JR Mell

Hyannis

The writer is regional director for BBBS.