Spirit Award Celebration for Debbie Collins
Saturday June 13, 2026, 2:00pm
Offered by Spirit Award Committee
Admission
Free
Sponsored by
Lopez Center
Come and celebrate Debbie Collins at an ice cream social in her honor.
Debbie Collins: Volunteering as an Act of Love
By Sarah Carson
Debbie's mother used to say that Debbie was born with a "box of crayons in her hand" because she always loved to draw and paint. She followed her passion as a young adult, receiving a degree in art from Central Washington University.
Upon graduating, she took a position as a designer in a floral shop in Seattle, often creating elaborate displays for weddings and parties. She continued in this area of expertise for the rest of her career - as a designer, wholesale buyer, consultant, and specialist.
Feeling tired of city living, where the lack of connection with neighbors felt too anonymous, she and her husband, Tom, decided to move. Upon retiring in 1996, they came to Lopez Island.
Debbie was excited to be a part of a smaller community. She thought that becoming a volunteer would be a great way to meet people - and she was right!
She joined in a series of fun and creative projects, including assisting the school art department, creating summer art workshops through the Lopez Island Family Resource Center, helping to design the High Tea fundraiser for the Lopez Center for the Community and the Arts, and making costumes for Trashion Fashion.
In 2004, Celia Marquis from LIFRC asked Debbie to be a mentor. This gave Debbie pause. She had not been a mentor before and had only worked with children in workshop or classroom environments. Eventually, Debbie agreed, and she began a friendship with a five-year-old girl that has lasted until this day. Since then, Debbie has mentored two other children.
Debbie's local fame grew when, in 2024, she teamed up with the Chamber of Commerce to make lanterns for the local businesses in celebration of the holiday season.
Debbie Collins: Volunteering as an Act of Love
By Sarah Carson
Debbie's mother used to say that Debbie was born with a "box of crayons in her hand" because she always loved to draw and paint. She followed her passion as a young adult, receiving a degree in art from Central Washington University.
Upon graduating, she took a position as a designer in a floral shop in Seattle, often creating elaborate displays for weddings and parties. She continued in this area of expertise for the rest of her career - as a designer, wholesale buyer, consultant, and specialist.
Feeling tired of city living, where the lack of connection with neighbors felt too anonymous, she and her husband, Tom, decided to move. Upon retiring in 1996, they came to Lopez Island.
Debbie was excited to be a part of a smaller community. She thought that becoming a volunteer would be a great way to meet people - and she was right!
She joined in a series of fun and creative projects, including assisting the school art department, creating summer art workshops through the Lopez Island Family Resource Center, helping to design the High Tea fundraiser for the Lopez Center for the Community and the Arts, and making costumes for Trashion Fashion.
In 2004, Celia Marquis from LIFRC asked Debbie to be a mentor. This gave Debbie pause. She had not been a mentor before and had only worked with children in workshop or classroom environments. Eventually, Debbie agreed, and she began a friendship with a five-year-old girl that has lasted until this day. Since then, Debbie has mentored two other children.
Debbie's local fame grew when, in 2024, she teamed up with the Chamber of Commerce to make lanterns for the local businesses in celebration of the holiday season.