(Photo courtesy of Awbrey Glen Golf Club)
In the Fall of 2004, Don and Mary Fellows realized they missed the giving opportunities for the local community they had participated in during their working lives. They looked for a way to support low-income families in Central Oregon. Along with like-minded friends, and the support of Awbrey Glen Golf Club, they organized their fundraiser – a first class, red-hot chili cook-off and raised $20,000.
They met with local social service agencies and set about finding ways to fill essential family needs. They focused on helping low income families to maintain or find employment and keeping the family situation stable. All family applications come through local social service agencies.
The Glen Gives helps by purchasing car repairs or tires to get people to work, paying for day care, helping with rent or mortgage payments, utilities, home repairs, etc. Often families hit one bump in their financial road and are derailed with bad credit making everything else in their lives more difficult.
Today, nearly 15 years later, The Glen Gives has raised and disbursed over $900,000 to provide support to over 1500 Central Oregon families. Each year, 100% of the money raised goes to help local families. The organization is run by volunteers. The Glen Gives has grown over the years, but the mission remains the same.
Funds are raised through direct financial contributions and the annual Glen Gives fundraiser event held each fall. This is our 15th anniversary and the year we cross the $1 Million mark in donations. Our event on Sept. 9 is called “Thanks a Million”, hosted by the Awbrey Glen Golf Club. We will have local restaurants offering samples, a lively charity auction, fun and games. Attendees will have a chance to join the “Million Dollar Club” with even more fun and games (special drinks, special raffle, photos, etc)
All donations are tax deductible through the Bend Northwest Non-Profit Corporation 501 c(3).
Find us on Facebook: The Glen Gives or
On line: www.glengives.org
