About Us
Our history, background, and current board of directors.
How it Started
Way back in 1997, the late and much beloved Lynn Willeford had a great idea! Two neighbors were struggling to pay medical bills, so she thought why not send a personal letter to 75 friends requesting $100 donations? The responses poured in and $7,500 and 11 grateful recipients later, Friends of Friends Medical Support was on its way. This grass-roots non-profit now assists approximately 200 South Whidbey friends each year and has disbursed more than $1.7 million dollars since inception. Friends of Friends is operated by an all-volunteer board and one part-time paid Service Coordinator. We take pride in ensuring our prompt response, personal attention and continued availability as we face the growing needs in our community.
The Friends of Friends Medical Support Fund is a charitable organization helping residents of South Whidbey with uncovered medical expenses, since 1997.
We serve residents of South Whidbey; that is, in Zip Codes 98236, 98260, 98249, and 98253. If you get your mail elsewhere but are a full-time resident of one of those areas, you may still be eligible for help.
Our organization sets dollar limits on how much we can help any one individual over the course of a year in order to meet the needs of as many people as possible. We do not reimburse individuals for bills already paid. We make no direct payments to individuals, but pay only providers of medical services such as health professionals, hospitals, labs, or pharmacies, and to the ferry system for medically necessary travel.
We provide services without regard to race, gender, age, ethnic background, or sexual preference.
Our volunteers are not caseworkers, do not give medical advice, and cannot make medical referrals.
Board of Directors
Katherine Hein
President, 2014
Kathy is excited to be the currently elected president of Friends of Friends Medical Support. She
considers it an honor to partner with our community and continue Lynn Willeford’s legacy of providing financial support to our South Whidbey Friends in need of medical support. Kathy is a retired Mental Health Counselor and loves spending time quilting, playing pickleball and enjoying friendships.
Sarah Stone
Vice President, 2021
FOFMS is thrilled to have a member of Gen Z on the board of directors. Sarah is an accomplished real estate broker and multiple small business owner on South Whidbey. As a digital native, she is a natural for enriching the Technology committee, serving on the Finance committee as well as supporting the organization as Vice President.
Becky Foote
Treasurer, 2003
Becky is the longest serving member on the Friends of Friends Medical Support Board! Past President, and Vice President; she is the current Treasurer. Becky moved to South Whidbey in 1980, has been involved in the community as a parent, educator and volunteer and she takes great pride in the role this organization plays in helping people on South Whidbey.
Kristi Kammenga Price
Secretary, 2015
Kristi is a Whidbey Island native devoted to making a difference in the South Whidbey community. She is an oenologist, works as a financial advisor in Freeland and is a past President of the Friends of Friends Medical Support Board. The highlight of her year is always the Mr. South Whidbey Pageant.
Katie Stewart
2019
Katie, a retired dentist AND retired nurse, is excited to bring her past experience to Friends of Friends Medical Support. She spent many years on PTA boards, started a dental non-profit for those in need and traveled worldwide as a volunteer. Along with her husband Rod, she maintains a strong desire to help the community. She chairs our Service committee.
MaryJane Lungren
2010
MaryJane feels honored to be part of the wonderful Friends of Friends Medical Support Community for over a decade, including as a President of the board, and we’re honored to have her. Dr. MaryJane practiced dentistry until retirement in Langley and has lived on Whidbey Island since the early 90’s. She is our social media aficionado and currently serves on the Finance and Outreach Committees.
Mark Dancer
2021
World traveler Mark has called Whidbey Island home for the last decade and isn’t going anywhere, except when he’s seeking out adventure in the PNW. He is a specialized caregiver after a professional career in commercial real estate in Arizona. He is thrilled to serve on the Friends of Friends Medical Support Board.
Lee Benner
2022
Lee is recently retired after decades working in the non-profit sector in development and program management. She and her husband feel fortunate to live on South Whidbey and trade I-5 for the ferry -way. Together with their three adult children they are building small homes in Clinton and stewarding rural acreage. Lee is delighted to be part of this impactful organization.
Melissa Inches
2022
A Baltimore native, Melissa Inches was always meant to be an islander. She loves gardening, boating and crabbing. Melissa is the proprietor of Langley’s premier canine cosmetology spa and always looks forward to leading the fundraising committee in organizing a successful Mr. South Whidbey Pageant.
Larry Johnson
2022
Mr. South Whidbey 2018, Larry Johnson, is a 2022 addition to the Friends of Friends Medical Support Board. You may know Larry, his lovely wife Ann who is a school board director, and their two daughters, from two decades of calling South Whidbey home. Giving back to the community is a big part of the Johnson family lifestyle. Yes, Larry wears his crown to the Board and Fundraising committee meetings.
Jenny Staats
2024
Jenny is the newest members of the Friends of Friends Board. After 11 years as a Girl Scout leader, she is looking forward to shifting gears to help with such an impactful organization. She enjoys gardening, crocheting and adventures of any kind, but particularly those that involve hiking boots, a backpack and the mountains. She and her husband have lived on South Whidbey since 2005 and love raising their three children here.
Shila Baker
Service Coordinator, 2018
Shila is the Friends of Friends Medical Support Service Coordinator because she is compassionate and empathetic to each individual’s situation. As a South Whidbey resident for most of her life, she knows and loves this community and represents this organization by supporting our friends.