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 $1.8 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.
Katie Stewart
Vice President, 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 while also being VIce Pre
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.
Ali McManus
Secretary, 2024
Bio to come…
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.
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
After 11 years as a Girl Scout leader, Jenny 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.
Mariah Beard
2024
Mariah is a long-time Islander and no stranger to the non-profit community. She has previous work experience at Good Cheer and is currently employed by Goosefoot. Mariah loves spending time with her daughter, reading, and planning her next DIY project. We have no doubt she’ll bring skill and enthusiasm to the Friends of Friends Medical Support board.
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.