Community Service Day Whidbey Island | Volunteering at YMCA Camp Casey

One of my favorite traditions at Windermere is Community Service Day. Every year, our offices pause business for a day and come together to give back to the communities we live and work in. It’s a tradition that started in 1984, and since then, Windermere agents and staff have contributed more than one million volunteer hours to local organizations and community projects. Being part of that legacy always feels meaningful, but even more so when you’re out in the community experiencing it firsthand.

This year, I spent Community Service Day at YMCA Camp Casey in Coupeville alongside my Windermere Whidbey Island and Property Management colleagues, joining forces with Jake Carlson’s team for a day of hands-on service.

We spent the day working on a variety of projects throughout the camp: gardening, landscaping, and building furniture pieces that will help support the camp’s day-to-day use. There is something incredibly grounding about stepping away from our usual routines, rolling up our sleeves, and working side by side with others toward a shared goal. It’s simple work, but it makes a visible difference right away, which is part of what makes this day so special.

Camp Casey itself is such a special place on Whidbey Island. Located on the historic grounds of the former Fort Casey military reservation, it offers outdoor education programs, youth camps, leadership development opportunities, and family retreats. With its waterfront setting and long history in the community, it’s the kind of place that leaves an impression. Knowing our work helps support a space where so many young people and families build memories made the day even more meaningful.

We also took a break to share lunch together, generously sponsored by Global Credit Union Home Loans. That time to sit, connect, and recharge in the middle of the day really added to the experience and gave everyone a chance to appreciate the progress we made together.

We were also joined by Liz Carlson from Land Title and Escrow, who jumped right in and worked alongside everyone throughout the day. That spirit of showing up and participating is really what Community Service Day is all about.

Days like this are a good reminder that real estate is deeply connected to community. It’s not just about homes, it’s about the places, people, and organizations that make a community feel like home.