Jamie Cier – A Legacy of Community Commitment

Jamie Cier defines philanthropy as giving — sharing your time, skills and knowledge, and contributing what you can financially.  

For the Pea Patch Community Campus, Jamie has given and shared a lot.  She has served on the Food Bank board, participated on the Pea Patch campaign committee, and volunteered at events. Her recent multi-year pledge is another significant contribution toward completing the campus, continuing her legacy of getting involved to ensure that people on Orcas have what they need to thrive.  

Jamie’s connection to Orcas Island began in 1968, when she started visiting each summer with her family from Seattle. In 2013, she moved to the island from Denver to become manager for the local WaFd bank. She retired in May 2026 and has since moved to northwest Missouri to be closer to her family.  

During her years at WaFd, Jamie saw firsthand the difference that stable housing can make. WaFd was the first local bank to make mortgage loans for community land trust homebuyers and the mission made sense to her. Several of her employees lived in OPAL homes and she witnessed how the stability of permanently affordable housing gave them – and their children – a stronger foundation for success.  

That same belief in the power of community is what drew Jamie to Pea Patch. Her involvement with the project has taken many forms, but the goal has remained the same: creating a place where essential community resources can grow and where Orcas families can build stable, connected lives. 

“This gift to the Pea Patch is a vote of confidence for the project and a parting gift to the community I love,” said Jamie. “We have a great team and the Food Bank is positioned for success – in large part because of the consistent support of OPAL Community Land Trust, and especially Lisa Byers, in keeping us on track through all the surprises that a project of this scale includes.”