Tag Archive for: Charity

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#MarchKindness Day 3: Food With Friends, Shower Outreach, Helps Local Homeless

Dear Friends, Our MarchKindness Day 2 feature was a video about Dawn Stanchfield, owner of Lily Atelier, who does a lot for Camas Lacrosse teams.

Vancouver, WA — Cherish DesRochers-Vafeados and Jamie Spinelli work on a shoestring budget each week to help dozens of homeless people get the nutrition they need and get access to a warm shower.

Cherish is the president of the non-profit, Food With Friends, and its off-shoot organization, Shower Outreach Project, and works very closely with Jamie to find the funds and provide help to people in transition with their lives.

”We started doing street outreach,” said Cherish. “We knew where people needed help so we went straight to them. This was a few years ago. Now every weekend we hand out food to people who desperately need it.”

She said they work closely with Living Hope Church, Friends of the Carpenter and the Shared Day Center to meet people and provide food bags to the downtrodden. Donations come from various businesses, such as Little Ceasar’s Pizza, who provide pizzas, and individuals who want to help out.

They also drive a shower trailer Friday through Sunday.  Each Friday, they stop the shower trailer at the Friends of the Carpenter non-profit. On Saturdays, from noon to 3 pm, they stop at the Shared Day Center, and on Sunday they stop at the Living Hope Church, from noon to 4. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has also helped out.

”We provide the shower trailer, the propane to heat the water, and the organizations provide the water,” said Cherish. “We serve about 75 people each week, and it’s great to help people. One man hadn’t showered in 35 days, now he gets to shower at least once a week. It makes people feel better.”

Cherish said a local organization once provided free shower wasn’t able to continue, so they decided to fill the gap.

Friends With Food purchased the trailer last year for $15,000 (at cost) from a man in Portland.

”We held a fundraiser and overnight we received $18,000 in donations,” said Cherish. “It was enough to pay for the shower trailer, so we were thrilled.”

Friends With Food/Shower Outreach Project is still working on logistics and seek help with a hauling vehicle for the shower trailer.

”We’re still figuring out the process,” said Cherish. “Thomas Eaton hauls the trailer for us. We’re grateful for his help.”

Friends served about 20 people per day with food and other counseling services, and recently received an inquiry from the Vancouver School District about reaching out to students who don’t have running water or electricity. They are also trying to get socks and underwear donated. Recently, a donor provided 1,200 pairs of socks.

“A lot of these people are waiting for housing to become available,” said Cherish. “They’re in transition, and we’re trying to help out.”

To contact Friends With Food, email: [email protected] or call them at 360.723.5791. You can also find them on Facebook @FoodWithFriendsWA

Friends Photos

 

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#MarchKindness: 100+ Women Who Care Delivers $8,700 to Children’s Program

Washougal, WA — Representatives of the brand-new Clark County chapter of 100+ Women Who Care Clark County delivered $8,700 in checks to the Children’s Home Society Tuesday evening. It was the first of quarterly donations the organization plans to provide to various charities with the goal of “making a big impact.”

The money, which was delivered by 100+ Women Who Care Clark County chapter founder, Christie Ribary, and chapter members Louise James and Christina Dawson, will be used to help the 2,000 local kids who benefit from the program.

”We offer a mix of family support and family counseling,” said Children’s Home Society Executive Director, Andy Tucker. “We provide support groups, basic assistance, like food, clothing, and toiletries. Volunteers prepare food backpacks for about 60 kids per week.”

Children’s Home Society was founded in 1896, and has had a presence in Southwest Washington for more than 60 years.

“We’re very grateful for this donation from 100+ Women Who Care Clark County,” said Tucker. “We are always looking for ways to help those in need, and this donation will go a long way.”

When 100+ Women Who Care Clark County launched a few weeks ago, each member put their name into a bucket. Three names were drawn, and each of those women promoted their chosen charitable organization. After each promotion, the members each voted, and Children’s Home Society received the most votes. The members then wrote checks to Children’s Home Society.

Dawson promoted Children’s Home Society.

“They do a lot of good things right here — locally,” said Dawson. “I’m happy to be part of this organization.”

Ribary collected the funds, and met briefly with Tucker before the formal presentation.

100+ Women Who Care Clark County will convene next on May 9 and repeat the same process.

Stay tuned for YouTube video on the formal presentation.

To learn more, visit www.100womenclarkcounty.com

You may also visit www.childrenshomesociety.org

 

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100+ Women Who Care Clark County Chapter Kick-Off a Resounding Success

Camas, WA — Ninety women gathered at Salud Wine Bar Wednesday night for the inaugural meeting of 100+ Women Who Care Clark County, which was an event that raised more than $9,000 for Children’s Home Society in an hour’s time.

The brand-new chapter of the nationwide charitable foundation was founded by Christie Ribary, who coordinated Wednesday’s event and provided procedural specifics throughout the night.

Members heard from Ribary, her mother, Cheryl Craig, who founded the Boulder, CO chapter of 100+ Women Who Care, and others who promoted various charities.

The doors opened at 5 pm for a social hour, and the event officially started at 6 pm. The charter members filled out cards with the names of a charity they wanted to promote, and three women were randomly selected to draw those cards from a bucket.

Children’s Home Society, Clark County Special Olympics, and Food With Friends were selected. Individual promoters of the respective charities explained what the organizations do, and how they help local people in need.

Children’s Home Society provides food and backpacks for children in need in East County, and is struggling to meet demand. Clark County Special Olympics is seeking funding for specific sporting programs for teens. Food With Friends always seeks funds to provide food, basic essentials, and helps people prepare to re-enter the workforce.

Women

Christie Ribary is the founder of 100+ Women Who Care Clark County.

City Councilor Deanna Rusch works as a volunteer administrator for Food With Friends, and said “they always need help and volunteers.”

Once the impromptu presentations were made, the women voted by ballot, and Children’s Home Society won.

”Once we collect all the checks, the promoter of this charity will personally visit Children’s Home Society and present them with the funds,” said Ribary. “It’s a way to make a big local impact.”

Ribary said she’s very pleased with the local response and is impressed by the event’s turnout.

The group will gather in three months and repeat the process, but this time they will hear directly from Children’s Home Society and how the funds were used.

”This is also a great way for you to become familiar with local charities you may have never heard about,” said Ribary.

To learn more, visit www.100womenclarkcounty.com

You may also read our first article about the organization: 100+

Photo Gallery

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Meals On Wheels: 164,000 Meals Served Annually

Vancouver, WA — More than 400 business and community supporters gathered at the Vancouver Hilton on Wednesday for the Meals On Wheels People’s annual Spring Luncheon.

The event is designed to honor volunteers and raise much-needed funds to continue to serve the 164,000 local meals it provides to seniors in the Portland/Vancouver metro area. The event also provides a public forum to spread the word about how the volunteer program operates. Their goal on Wednesday was to raise $150,000.

The event, which was emcee’d by book author and Meals On Wheels volunteer, Sandy Calwell, lasted about an hour, and featured a light lunch and dessert, as supporters sat at sponsored tables.

Larry Smith, one of the organization’s volunteers, was the first speaker.

“We have not turned away a senior in need for more than 46 years,” he said. “We thank Columbia Credit Union for their true and deep commitment, as they have sponsored this event since its inception.”

Meals on Wheels Compassion For Seniors Award

Meals on Wheels People honored volunteer Scott Campbell with the Compassion for Seniors Award. He thanked fellow volunteers for the honor.

“It’s a rewarding experience to take time out each day and visit our seniors,” said Campbell. “We know, for many, this may be the only social interaction they have all day. What we do helps them to stay in their homes.”

He spoke highly of Waste Connections, whom he called a viable corporate partner. “We celebrate our community successes, and nothing liberates your greatness than by your desire to help.”

Meals on Wheels

Scott Campbell received the Compassion for Seniors Award.

A sharp-looking bunch, namely the Vancouver Firefighters Union, has been a table sponsor for many years.

“We raise money through our Community Assistance Fund,” said Dave Sturbelle, a longtime Vancouver firefighter, and union member who attended Wednesday’s luncheon. “The fund raises money to help people out. We use some of those funds to donate to good causes, such as Meals On Wheels. We’re here to support their efforts.”

Mike and Shelly Bacon also addressed the attendees, likened taking food to seniors to her favorite Happy Hour.

“It’s a favorite time of day,” said Shelly. “Good food, good price … so it’s like taking Happy Hour to our seniors.”

Mike said the main criteria is that the meal recipients be age 60 or above, homebound (temporarily or permanently).

“Over time we get familiar with their surroundings,” he said. “And we know we’re doing good for those folks.”

Calwell concluded the event by encouraging attendees to reach into their pocketbooks and to help the cause “that is so important.”

The organization is always looking for new volunteers, and particularly, drivers. To learn more, visit www.mealsonwheelspeople.org

 

Meals

Dave Sturbelle, right, sits with members of the Vancouver Firefighters Union.

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Meals On Wheels To Host Annual Spring Luncheon

Vancouver, WA — More than 400 business leaders and community supporters are gathering at the Vancouver Hilton this Wednesday as Meals on Wheels People hosts its annual Spring Luncheon, with doors opening at 11:30 am. Beginning at noon, the luncheon will be hosted by book author, Sandy Calwell, and features guest speaker, Mike Bacon.

The annual Clark County event is expected to earn $150,000 in necessary donations, said Meals on Wheels Marketing People Director, Julie Piper.

“It’s designed to be an enjoyable event to discuss what our program does, and for people to enjoy a nice lunch,” says Piper. “And, at the end of the hour, our goal is to raise $150,000, which comes from sponsored tables, corporations, and individuals.”

Calwell, author of “What if Parenting is the Most Important Job in the World,” has been a regular volunteer for the non-profit organization, whose local chapter provides 5,000 meals per day. All told, Meals on Wheels People has 400 volunteers across the three counties. She started her volunteer work by helping out in the kitchen at the Meals on Wheels Washougal center. Currently, she volunteers on the organization’s board, and helps with outreach and marketing.

“Meals on Wheels People covers three counties,” said Calwell. “The central kitchen is in Portland, on Multnomah Boulevard, with kitchens and centers throughout Clark County and Portland. The Spring Luncheon isn’t the main fundraiser, but it is very significant. Government cutbacks have made it so we’re very reliant on private fundraising, so this event is important.”

Each meal costs about $7, and seniors are asked to contribute $3-$4 per meal, but Calwell said a lot of seniors can’t even do that. The fundraising is designed to cover all the gaps. She added that several local businesses, such as Dave’s Killer Bread, donate food on a regular basis. Each day, volunteers prepare and deliver nutritious meals to shut-in seniors throughout the service area.

“We make sure all people that need to be served, get served,” added Calwell. “The seniors sometimes have no other options.”

Piper said they met their fundraising goal at last year’s luncheon, and expect to achieve it this year, as well.

“We’re really grateful for the community support we receive,” she said.

The event runs very efficiently, and features speakers, awards and updates on the organization’s progress.

Meals on Wheels was founded in 1969, and each chapter provides a very “person-to-person outreach,” said Calwell. “It all stays right here. It’s very important work.”

Locally, about 40 seniors are served in Washougal, with another 150 served out of their Firstenburg Center, in Vancouver.

To learn more, visit www.mealsonwheelspeople.org

Spring Luncheon

Sandy Calwell will emcee the Meals on Wheels Spring Luncheon this year, with husband, Ken Calwell, CEO of Papa Murphy’s International, at last year’s Clark County Spring Luncheon.

 

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St. Baldrick’s: Local Fire Crew to Shave Heads

Portland Fire Crew (Engine No. 14) is gearing up to participate in the 10th Annual St. Baldrick’s Event at Oaks Park on May 19, as part of an ongoing effort to raise funds to fight childhood cancer.Participates in the event shave their heads for two reasons: 1) To raise money for a cure and: 2) To stand in solidarity with the kids that do not have the choice to be bald.

“Our whole fire crew is shaving our heads for the cause, and we’re all trying to make a difference,” said Fireman and Camas resident, Aaron Gagnon. “… I have raised $385, including my own donation of $50 and donations from friends and family ranging from $10 to a whopping $200 from my buddy Mike Hill. I know we all get busy and get bombarded with emails and phone calls looking for donations, but please take a couple of minutes and throw a little money at this fantastic cause. It really is appreciated and all funds go to an absolutely amazing bunch of kids.”

Gagnon’s entire fire crew is shaving their heads for the cause. Click the link below and search for Aaron Gagnon or for “Engine 14” and make a donation.

http://www.stbaldricks.org/

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives.

 

Baldrick's
Aaron Gagnon, Lisa Knight, Chris Butler and Jesse Altig.
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