We all have the power and ability to make a difference in someone’s life by giving our time and our financial resources. The small act of picking a gift tag off one of the Trees of Joy can change the outlook of a small child who should have a chance to have a joyful Christmas.
Yes, this is the favorite season for giving to others who are less fortunate than you. The Central Oregon community is a generous assembly. Baskets of food will be gathered for the hungry, warm coats will be donated for winter, the homeless will be given food and shelter and toys will be collected and distributed to needy families.
Numerous business owners and their employees give to various causes throughout the year. Companies like Hasson Company Realtors’ recently made a surprise donation to fund the “Pay to Play” program at Pilot Butte Middle School in Bend. The funds will benefit students who would have been barred from athletics participation based on lack of funding. In October as a result of a unique partnership, Sunlight Solar donated $100 from each sale to a non-profit of Strictly Organic’s choice. Strictly Organic Owners Rhonda Ealy and Richard Steffensen chose The Central Oregon Environmental Center.
A low-income family will be able move into an affordable home in Redmond and local youths will gain valuable skills, thanks to the nonprofit groups First Story and Heart of Oregon YouthBuild.
Powder Hound Preview, Pine Mountain Sports’ annual Welcome to Winter party, raised over $2,500 to benefit the Central Oregon Trail Alliance and Deschutes County Search and Rescue.
Murtaugh Dental recently collected canned food items for NeighborImpact and Central Oregon Ford Dealers (Burns Ford, Miller Ford, Robberson Ford and Wright Ford) helped to provide free breast cancer detection to local women. Facebook data center in Prineville is committed to investing in the long-term health and vitality of Crook County and its residents by supporting nonprofits that meet critical community needs.
The Bend Surgery Center Foundation awarded $18,000 in scholarships to recent High School graduates entering college who hope to one day have a career in the healthcare field. And BBT Architects in Bend recognizes the achievements of one Central Oregon high school student with a $1,000 scholarship.
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Central Oregon received $2,000 from OnPoint Credit Union to support the “The Voice of Hope” campaign, designed to reduce and break the cycle of child abuse and neglect by providing a highly trained community volunteer for every child in need. Volunteers from Hayden Homes took MountainStar on a crib shopping spree to benefit children and families enrolled in the program.
This year BendBroadband selected Deschutes Children’s Foundation to be the sole recipient of the BendBroadband Holiday Giving Match Fund. BendBroadband will provide a percentage match on all donations made to Deschutes Children’s Foundation before December 19.
And hundreds of area businesses and their employees are generously supporting United Way in its goal to raise over $1 million that will go to local agencies that help children and families lead better lives.
All of these great deeds are all well and good, however, contributing to the betterment of our community is just not for the few. Most everyone can give something and we hope that anyone who has not had an opportunity to feel the grace of giving, start today. There’s someone or a worthy project out there waiting for you to help them. pha
