Island Volunteer Caregiver’s Upcoming Annual Auction Will Support Island Neighbors Facing Challenges Related to Aging, Disability, or Adversity

Margaret Millmore | Posted on April 14, 2023 |

On June 8, 2023, Island Volunteer Caregivers (IVC) will hold their much-loved annual Gather and Give Dinner Auction from 5:30 to 9pm at Kiana Lodge. This year’s auction will feature live music by Bischoff Trio during a champagne meet and greet followed by a signature plated salmon dinner and the famous dessert dash between the live auction and paddle call.

The Live Auction items include luxury getaways and locally curated experiences that will appeal to foodies, arts and culture patrons, gardeners, adventurers, and sports fans. Guests will hear directly from individuals whose lives have been touched by the generosity that flows from the community through IVC to serve our neighbors facing challenges related to aging, disability, or adversity. IVC will also demonstrate how the organization is diving deeper through core services and programs to combat the number one issue facing seniors on Bainbridge Island – loneliness and isolation.

Tickets go on sale April 20, 2023 and reservations are $125 per person April 20^th – May 19^th. Late reservations are $150 per person May 20^th – May 24^th. To register, visit ivcbainbridge.org or call the IVC office at 206-842-4441. IVC’s annual platinum sponsor, ARTiCARE, a locally, nurse run caregiving company specializing in personal and companion care, is joined by premium auction sponsors, Ameriprise, Bainbridge Senior Living, Lane Powell, and the Peery Foundation.

About Island Volunteer Caregivers

IVC got its start in 1996 when members of various island religious congregations realized the growing need in our community for an organization that would enable our most vulnerable populations—the elderly, the disabled and others with special needs—to live comfortably and safely in their own homes with independence, dignity and a connection to the community.

This realization spurred the creation of Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of Bainbridge Island (IVC). Through the tireless work of the initial founders and board members, such as Judith Louderback, Joyce Veterane, Joan Treacy, Dick Gregory and Sue and Bob Kuebler, initial funding was obtained from the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation, a Board of Directors was established and IVC was officially incorporated in the State of Washington on April 29, 1997, and subsequently received its tax status as a Sec 501©(3).

Although IVC’s original volunteers and funding—beyond the initial grant—primarily came from religious congregations on the island (and are still a significant source of IVC’s support), the mission had steadily grown to become more widely diverse, attracting grants, funding and volunteers from the broader secular community. As such, IVC’s Board of Directors decided to change the name from Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers to Island Volunteer Caregivers in 2014.

As stated on their website, “This decision was made in order that the name would more clearly reflect that our mission is inclusive, welcoming care receivers, volunteers and supporters of any and all backgrounds, and regardless of presence or absence of religious affiliations or ideologies.”

IVC works within the community to connect neighbors facing challenges related to aging, disability, or adversity with volunteers and resources to support independent and fulfilling lives. They provide transportation for medical appointments and errands, grocery and prescription pickup, life enrichment programs and compassionate companions. Their enrichment programs include Flowers from the Heart, Live From the Met Opera, museum tours, music appreciation, matinee movies, Kreaky Knees Walking Groups and much more. The compassionate companions program provides one-on-one peer support by trained volunteers for those impacted by grief and loss. In addition, IVC has a Caregivers Support Group to assist those that are caring for a loved one. They also work closely with the Bainbridge Island Senior and Community Center to provide community outreach. To learn more about their programs, click here.