Fish Taco Fundraiser

A Fish for Teeth volunteer-crafted Fish Taco is absolutely delicious. These hefty burrito/tacos are prepared with love, and feature hook-and-line caught Alaskan cod donated by Alaskan Leader Seafoods, with Pablito’s Salsa, Tillamook cheese, zesty greens, and a squeeze of fresh lime.

Volunteer Opportunities Available (info at the end of article)

These delectable fish-focused hunger-satisfying consumption-units always draw a crowd. That’s good because Fish for Teeth depends on the $8.00 suggested donation to fix the teeth of island residents who cannot otherwise afford dental care. Join us for lunch on Friday, January 18 from 11:00 to 1:30 at Ace Hardware, Friday Harbor. ($8.00 suggested donation)

TEAM TACO:  
The most-visible batch of volunteers is Team Taco, who lovingly prepare, cook, and assemble your super-yummy fish taco. There are a few tried-and-true Fish for Teeth veteran Taco Team volunteers who have been in the taco-trenches since the first tooth clinic on a frozen January day in 2012. Starting last year a batch of Kiwanis members dramatically supplemented the taco effort, bringing with them the gold-standard of volunteer food service excellence; thanks goes to Stephanie O’day for organizing the Kiwanis contingent; Sarah Younglove also helps organize the taco effort. Team Taco is a fun and rewarding piece of volunteer work that is a huge link to Fish for Teeth’s success.

TEAM TOOTH:
Last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday the Medical Teams International Mobile Dental Van was in Friday Harbor on a three-day tooth-fixing stint. The effort improved the quality of life for over 40 people who would otherwise continue to live with dental pain. 

Fish for Teeth was started in 2007, but it took the teamwork and effort of the Fish for Teeth board to bring the MTI van to San Juan Island, which began in 2012. The Fish for Teeth board members are: Matt and Maureen Marinkovich, Dr. Michael Horn, Aimee Urata, and Tami Doenges. Standing on committees are Kristen Rezabek, Sandy Rabinowitz, Hayley Day, and Sarah Younglove. Dr. Horn handles the task of organizing our local dental professionals who volunteer their time doing this necessary work. 

A big thanks to the volunteer dental professionals of this last clinic: Dr. Michael Horn, Barbara Foster, Jennifer Netherton, Dr. David Tegrotenhuis, Kathie Raivo, Erin Quinn, Dr. Michelle Reynolds, Nasaria Lopez, Dr. Luke Daining, and Gina Daining. And of course thanks to the many other local dental professionals who have assisted in past dental clinics.

With every multi-day clinic Fish for Teeth sponsors, the Team Tooth volunteer support staff gets the patients connected to the care. Sandy Rabinowitz organizes every detail surrounding the dental van, plus she spends a lot of time at the clinics checking people in, along with Hayley Day, Sarah Younglove, Nancy DeVaux, Elaine Pretz, and Phyllis Morrison, and Kristen Rezabek. Charlene Rhodes schedules all of the patients. Thank you, thank you, thank you, to everyone mentioned and also to those who have volunteered in recent clinics but weren’t mentioned here.

Thanks is also due to those who staff the SJC Health Department and the SJI Family Resource Center, who assist in the distribution and collection of applications.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
If you would like to support Fish for Teeth as a volunteer on Team Tooth or Team Taco, a little extra help is always needed. Many hands makes light work, so if you’re willing to help, a task will be found. The upcoming Taco-rama is pretty well staffed, with the exception of clean-up and dishwashing, if anyone wants to pitch in this Friday afternoon.

If you would like to volunteer, Please send an email to [email protected] and a Fish for Teeth volunteer will get back to you. You may also check out our website for more information: www.fishforteeth.com. Fish for Teeth is a recognized 501-c-3 non-profit organization.

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