Organizers of the have announced that local bookstore and owners Roger and Nancy Page will be recognized for their ongoing generosity and business leadership this Wednesday, Feb. 8, at the .
The City of is awarding Island Books and the Pages with the Business Philanthropy Award to honor the “community store” and the family's commitment to supporting Mercer Island family-oriented charities and activities from the outset. Over the past two decades, Island Books has become well-known as a generous and civic-minded Island business.
“The reputation and goodwill of the Page’s, along with introductions to other like-minded businesses, has helped turn the Giving from the Heart Breakfast into a Giving from the Heart Day—dramatically extending the reach of the campaign,” explained Kris Kelsay, MIYFS’s development officer.
“Since the first Breakfast in 2002, I was hooked,” explains Roger Page about his support for MIYFS. “I was awestruck when I saw such a cross-section of the community. I always tried to stay a part of that.” Each year, , raising over $50,000.
The Page’s generosity that first year included donating discount coupons to every attendee; in 2005, Page was the Honorary Chair of the Breakfast. Last year, Island Books was the first business to step up for the new Giving from the Heart business program, through which select local businesses give 20% of the day’s proceeds to MIYFS.
Other participating businesses include , , , , , Indulge, , , , and .
Page explained why partnering with MIYFS has particular appeal. “MIYFS thought creatively about how to partner with the local businesses and that really matches our way of doing things and made it fun. Plus, it is such a well-run, thoughtful organization. They really have changed lives and supported families.”
Supported by private donations to the MIYFS Foundation and public tax dollars, Mercer Island Youth and Family Services offers family and emergency assistance, mental health counseling, drug and alcohol prevention, youth diversion and early intervention, senior outreach, youth volunteer and development programs and the .
Page, who lives in Ballard, summed up his continued commitment to Mercer Island. “The community reaches out to us and we reach back.”
You can find Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Foundation at www.miyfs.org and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MIYFSfoundation.
