Introducing WEAN's 2026 Summer Benefit Sponsors

This Saturday, we're hosting the Second Annual WEAN Summer Benefit, focused on “Island Voices”—and this year, for the first time, we have help from three local businesses supporting our work as corporate sponsors. We're honored by their investment in our work and proud to introduce them.

Whidbey Island Kayaking — Canopy Sponsor

Few things capture what's at stake for Island County better than a paddle through Whidbey's nearshore waters—watching herons wade, floating atop kelp forests, and getting up close and personal with the other-than-human neighbors who depend upon the habitat we cherish. Whidbey Island Kayaking has built a beloved local business around helping people—residents and visitors alike—fall in love with our marine environment. We're excited to share that this summer, Whidbey Island Kayaking will host our 2026 Staff and Board Retreat on the water—a fitting and joyful way to orient our growing team to the shorelines we're working to protect.

Explore their offerings at https://www.whidbeyislandkayaking.com.

Puget Sound Energy — Canopy Sponsor

PSE serves this island in ways that go beyond the meter—and this year, we're grateful they've extended that commitment to include WEAN's summer benefit. Their current work with Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue and South Whidbey Fire and EMS on wildfire prevention reflects the kind of locally-rooted safety investment that matters as fire risk grows across the Pacific Northwest. We're glad to have them at the table, and we appreciate their willingness to show up as a community partner.

Learn more about their wildfire prevention program at pse.com/safety/wildfire-prevention.

Edward Jones Freeland — Understory Sponsor

Sound financial stewardship is part of what allows WEAN to show up consistently for our islands, year after year. Kristi and Rachel at Edward Jones Freeland are trusted neighbors who bring real care and expertise to that work. When donors make gifts of stock to WEAN, we rely on Edward Jones Freeland to convert those into safe, values-aligned investments that help sustain our programming over the long term. It's the kind of partnership that operates quietly in the background—but without it, our ability to plan, grow, and respond to the Island's needs would look very different. We're grateful for their steady, thoughtful presence in our financial life.

Connect at https://www.edwardjones.com/us-en/financial-advisor/kristi-price.