Tag Archive for: Community Service

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Local Girl Scouts Use Own Money to Help Out Kids at VA Fisher House

In order to earn their Girl Scout Bronze Award, local twins Julia and Grace Hines decided to help out the Portland VA Fisher House by donating board and video games to ensure children of Veterans and active duty service members have something to do, and to life their spirits during their temporary stay.

“Thank you to local Girl Scouts and sisters Julia and Grace who donated board games and video games to the Portland VA Fisher House last week! The sisters raised their own money to purchase the games …,” said Fisher House in an official statement.

The VA Portland Fisher House, located on the Vancouver Campus, is “a home away from home” for families of Veterans and military service members who are hospitalized. It may also serve family and caregivers of Veterans who are receiving extended outpatient specialty care, such as oncology care, at our various specialty clinics.

Julia and Grace are 11 year-old twins and have been in Girl Scouts since kindergarten. They developed a plan to help Fisher House to earn their Bronze Award, which is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can receive.  The goal of the Bronze Award is to make a lasting impact in an area of need in the community. The girls had to identify a community need, make a plan to help, put that plan into motion and then spread the word. They identified Fisher House as having a need.

“Fisher House is a ‘home away from home’ for families of Veterans and military service member who are hospitalized,” said Gina Hines, the twins’ mom. “It may also serve family and caregivers of Veterans who are receiving extended outpatient specialty care, such as oncology care, at their various specialty clinics.”

Julie and Grace contacted Fisher House and found out they needed board and video games for the young residents ages 8-15 as they didn’t have many games to play. The girls raised all the money themselves by organizing, cleaning, tagging and selling their toys and clothing at the local JBF sale. They then took all that money and shopped stores, garage sales, and thrift stores looking for the perfect games for older kids who stay at Fisher House.

The goal was to buy as many engaging games as possible that would provide entertainment, stress relief and lift the spirits of children of Veterans and active duty service members who stay at the Vancouver Fisher House. Julia and Grace plan on starting their Silver Award next year. They also plan on starting a charity project (or two) and a business to help pay for their Girl Scout projects.

Their participation in Girl Scouts has helped them build courage, confidence, and has given them a desire to help give back and improve not only their community, but the world around them, said Hines.

Fisher

Julie and Grace presented the VA Fisher House with new board and video games.

 
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1,600 Youth Lend Helping Hands at 14 Service Projects in Southwest Washington

By Ernie Geigenmiller

More than 1,600 youth and adults from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered in Vancouver over the weekend to aid in 14 service projects that benefitted local communities.

The group used Skyview High School, in Salmon Creek, as their main hub of activity from Thursday afternoon to Saturday night, and spent half of Friday lending a helping hand of service throughout Southwest Washington. They also used the time to fortify their beliefs and aid teens in a fun-filled, but spiritual youth conference.
Nathan Puffer, Colby Allen, and other youth prepare to
landscape the Pacific Park Demonstration Garden in Vancouver.
Weiss
Adam Weiss, forefront, and Daelin Jensen listen to a speaker.
Dozens of teens at each location worked hard for more than four hours pulling weeds, painting, cleaning, planting, landscaping, stocking food, removing debris, removing garbage, etc.

“I think we made a difference,” said Dallin Buck, of Woodland. “I enjoyed working and meeting new people this weekend.”

The youth worked at the following sites:

  • Pacific Park Demonstration Garden
  • Clark County Food Bank
  • Heritage Farm
  • Lacamas Park
  • Lewisville Park
  • Salmon Creek Greenway
  • Frenchman’s Bar Park
  • Second Step Housing
  • Remme Residence
  • DNR Rock Creek Campground
  • DNR Washougal Farm
  • Pioneer Cemetery
  • Share House

“It’s really fun doing this,” said Nathan Puffer, of Camas, one of the group’s volunteers. “It feels good to help the community.”

Buck
Dallin Buck pulls weeds at the Pacific Park Demonstration Garden.

The super activity brought in LDS teens from areas as far north as Longview and Kelso, and as far east as The Dalles, OR. Dozens of local families hosted between 2 and 5 teens in their homes, and shuttled their guests to and from service projects and the youth conference. The conference itself featured several workshops, musical performances, and spiritual discussions.

Pugmire
Rebecca Pugmire dances with friends at Skyview High School in Vancouver.
“It’s been several months in the planning,” said event organizer, Sue Sprague. “And things are turning out great. We have a lot of kids and some very helpful families who have opened up their homes to host these great kids. We’re grateful for the outpouring of support.”

The youth were divided into several large groups that moved into the various classes and workshops throughout the three-day event. They also participated in outdoor games and singing. Friday night concluded with a dance, and Saturday night ended with a musical concert.

“I really enjoyed some of the talks that were given,” said Camas resident Daelin Jensen. “I learned a lot.”

Dude
The youth participated in various outdoor games during the 3-day event.

Jake Murphy, from Kelso, said “I really liked the dance and the music. It was a lot of fun, and there were some cute girls here.”

The LDS Church has a strong focus on the family and encourages its youth to reach out, said Heather Norton, whose family hosted several teen girls.

“It’s important to stay close to our kids and make sure they have what they need,” Norton added. “They need to know they’re loved.”

Sprague said the youth discussed their faith in Jesus Christ and how to apply Christian teachings into their daily lives.  “We wanted to reinforce these sacred beliefs and remind the kids how much they are appreciated,” she added.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or commonly referred to as the Mormon Church, is headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT. Local church leaders have held major events like this in recent years. In 2010, they put together a major Dance Festival for local residents.
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