 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
 |
FEATURE ARTICLES | |
Memo Calendar | Memo Pad | Business Memos | Loaves & Fishes | Letters | Home |
| Memo Pad To fully serve the community, the Mid-county Memo offers this section to showcase upcoming special events, celebrations of milestones in our readers’ lives, those seemingly small accomplishments that often do not receive the recognition they deserve and everyday events that should be shared with friends and neighbors. Memo Pad submissions for the January issue are due by Thursday, Dec. 15. For best results, e-mail Darlene Vinson at editor@midcountymemo.com. Or mail editorial submissions to 3510 N.E. 134th Ave, Portland, OR 97230. To leave a phone message, call 503-287-8904. The fax number is 503-249-7672. Time to help refill the shelves SnowCap Community Charities, the agency dedicated to assisting needy families with food and clothing, is asking for some old fashioned help to continue its mission this holiday season. Judy Alley, SnowCap executive director, said the agency’s normally plentiful pantry is nearly empty. “We need food, especially turkeys, fruits and vegetables,” she said. “We have already cut back on the size of our regular food baskets and need to restock our shelves, coolers and freezer,” she said. SnowCap provides Christmas food baskets to more than 500 families in east Multnomah County annually. “Right now we do not have that food on hand,” she said. Donations of food can be dropped off weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the SnowCap office-warehouse facility at 17788 S.E. Pine St. There is a need for blankets as well. “The cost of heating is going up almost daily. Children are shivering in trailers without propane and seniors in chilly apartments need help to keep their baseboard heat on,” she said. Cash donations also have been in short supply, she said. “SnowCap has received only 50 per cent of the donations we normally receive at this time of year,” she said. “While we understand why this might be so, the hurricanes and the tsunami disaster, we have personal tragedies in our neighborhood that quietly take a toll without the dramatic focus of pictures on television.” In addition, SnowCap can use some helpful hands. “Volunteers are always needed at this time of year,” Alley said. Call 503-674-8785 to let them know how you can you help. Rossi Farms giving you a chance to give Rossi Farms, 3839 N.E. 122nd Ave., gets in the spirit of the season with a special giving tree. Drop by with your donation of new or used hats, gloves and scarves, drape them on the tree in the barn and Rossi staff will make sure the items get to Parkrose school kids in need. Non-perishable food items left under the tree will go to the Portland Sunshine Division. While you are there, take time to enjoy glass-blowing demonstrations, holiday music and hot-spiced cider. Call the farm at 503-253-5571 to check on expanded holiday hours. Seeking holiday helpers for families Human Solutions is actively seeking individuals, families, churches and other groups that would enjoy helping a low-income family in a very tangible way this holiday season. Donors are provided with a wish list from each family that includes the age and gender of all household members as well as some gift ideas, hobbies and favorite colors. Donors are asked to provide each family member with two new wrapped gifts, plus one gift for the household as a whole and the fixings for a holiday meal. Human Solutions serves needy families in Mid-county. If you can help or if your family is in need, please call Gaby Burnell at the Daybreak Shelter 503-256-2280 or e-mail gburnell@humansolutions.org. Call soon, as gifts should be in the hands of Human Solutions staff no later than Thursday, Dec. 15. A convenient drop-off site will be arranged for each donor. Tutor program seeks volunteers The OASIS Intergenerational Tutor Program seeks volunteers, age 50 and over who want to help young children learn to read in the David Douglas School District. No experience is necessary. Volunteers work one-to-one with their student for one hour a week in a participating school. Tutor training, tutoring materials and support meetings are provided. A very rewarding volunteer experience, OASIS tutors make a difference in a child’s life. For more information, please call Colleen Shannon at 503-833-3636. >>continued |
 |
 |
 |
MEMO Advertising | MEMO Archives | MEMO Web Neighbors | MEMO Staff | Home