The Vashon Sheepdog Classic (VSDC) attracts thousands of people from all over the northwest and the world who love the beautiful setting, local food, chance to picnic on the gentle slopes of Misty Isle Farms' meadow and watch the amazing working Border collies. Every year VSDC grows in numbers of competing teams (dog and handler), fiber, food and artisan vendors as well as spectators. It is a marvelous event with a reputation for being a Puget Sound "must do" for people drawn to unique experiences that aren't loud, "extreme," expensive or too fast paced!
The Classic is both a top-level national competition and a fundraising event that supports youth programs on Vashon Island. An important part of VSDC's mission is to give back to our wonderful community. We gift the net proceeds from each event to island nonprofit organizations that focus on enriching the education and health of Vashon youth.
Our primary beneficiary is Partners in Education (PIE), a non-profit charity whose goal is to enhance the learning environment in our public schools by funding activities and materials requested by those closest to the educational process—the teachers. PIE partners with VSDC by facilitating the Smart Dog sponsorships. For a $100 donation to PIE, people can sponsor one of the competing teams, meet the dog and handler, probably have their picture taken with them, and get a chance to win prizes.
2013 Giving: $6,500 to seven island-based organizations & over $6,000 in partnership with PIE.
2014 Giving: $10,000 to island-based organizations & over $6,500 in partnership with PIE.
2015 Giving: $12,000 to island-based organization & over $6,500 in partnership with PIE.
2016 Giving: $12,250 to island-based organization & over $6,500 in partnership with PIE.
2017 Giving: $15,000 to island-balsed organizations & over $7,500 in partnership with PIE
Over the course of VSDC’s history, PIE & VSDC have given more than $100,000 to more than 20 Vashon programs & organizations. These include:
- Olympus Pony Club
- Rockbusters Junior Wrestling (co-ed)
- Vashon Alliance to Reduce Substance Abuse (VARSA)
- Vashon Chamber of Commerce
- Vashon High School Debate Team
- Vashon High School Cheerleaders
- The Harbor School
- Burton Adventure Recreation Center (B.A.R.C.)
- Vashon Island Junior Crew
- Vashon Youth and Family Services (VYFS)
- Vashon Girl Scouts
- Robostarter
Another of our important partnerships is with the Vashon fiber arts community. They do everything from manage all wool-based demonstrations under the fiber tents as well as yarnstorm* decorations for our site. We value their partnership and look forward to their involvement every year!
*Yarnstorming, yarnbombing, guerrilla knitting, kniffiti, urban knitting or graffiti knitting is a type of graffiti or street art that employs colorful displays of knitted or crocheted yarn or fibre rather than paint or chalk.