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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 February issue are due by Monday, Jan. 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.
Drivers and kitchen help needed
The Cherry Blossom Loaves & Fishes Center located in the East Portland Community Center, 740 S.E. 106th Ave., is in serious need of volunteer Meals-on-Wheels drivers. These drivers deliver hot meals to home-bound seniors in east Portland neighborhoods between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Delivery routes take between 45 minutes to an hour and a half.
Loaves & Fishes is also looking for kitchen volunteers to help prepare and pack meals for the Meals-on-Wheels drivers and to serve seniors in the dining room. Flexible schedules are available for kitchen volunteers between the hours of 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. To volunteer or to find out more, please contact Tamara Bailey at 503-256-2381.
Botanical garden sets training for volunteers
Leach Botanical Garden needs tour guides to conduct public tours at this unique garden treasure, Portland’s only public botanical garden. Tours run February through November and last approximately 60-90 minutes.
The garden is looking for people who can volunteer on a Saturday once a month and also for on-call volunteers to lead public tours by appointment during the week.
Training will be offered on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 3 from 10 a.m. to noon. The first session will cover garden history, trees, plants and wildlife. The second session is the Garden Steward’s tour. Attendance on both dates is required.
For more information or to register, call Nancy Williams at 503-823-1671 or e-mail info@leachgarden.org. The last day to register is Tuesday, Jan. 16.
Volunteer opportunities abound at SnowCap
When to turn up the heat and when to turn it down. That’s good to know when managing an energy bill.
SnowCap Community Charities is looking for volunteers to answer these questions and help low-income families and individuals in east Multnomah County qualify for funds to cover this winter’s heating bills.
Volunteer energy assistants will work with applicants to complete and file necessary paperwork and to provide basic information to help control energy consumption, SnowCap Executive Director Judy Alley said.
“Some families who are trying to stretch their budgets to include household warmth and food have little knowledge of controlling their heating bill,” Alley said. “We need volunteers who can impart some basic knowledge to manage utility usage as well as performing some simple administrative tasks.”
Alley said Oregon Heat, a consortium of energy providers, has renewed SnowCap’s contract to provide heating assistance funds beginning in January. Last year, SnowCap distributed more than $250,000 to families in need.
“This work is rewarding, and volunteers report they feel warm inside when helping others,” Alley said.
Prospective volunteers should call SnowCap on weekdays between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The phone number is 503-674-8785, ext. 19.
SnowCap also is looking for donations of blankets and warm clothing needed in many low-income homes, according to Alley. The agency continues to accept donations of food for families facing empty cupboards during the harsh winter weather as well.
“We are faced with our annual winter shortages of blankets, warm clothing — especially sweatshirts, sweaters and outer garments — as well as non-perishable fruit and vegetables,” Alley said.
“A lot of families have extra blankets tucked away in a closet or drawer. We can put them to immediate good use,” Alley said. “We don’t need new blankets. Gently-used blankets meet our need perfectly.
“Clothing items for children also will be placed in homes where needed,” she said. “All these donations are truly appreciated by recipients.
“We also need canned fruit for our food baskets to help families maintain a healthful diet,” Alley said.
Donations will be received at SnowCap, 17788 S.E. Pine St., on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Donors needing additional information are asked to call 503-674-8785, ext. 12.
SnowCap is a nonprofit, faith-based agency that provides critical food, clothing, energy assistance, English language instruction, social advocacy and other services throughout east Multnomah County, including Parkrose, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview and Wood Village.
Preserving local history
The David Douglas Historical Society invites residents of the David Douglas School District to submit short written articles for a book now in the works. The goal is to compile a recent history of the district, including stories about schools, organizations, neighborhoods and families. Suggested topics are listed at http://histsoc.ddouglas.k12.or.us. Submit your stories online or to 150 S.E. 130th Ave., Portland, OR 97233.
Volunteers needed for childcare center
New this month, Parkrose High School will offer on-site childcare for parenting students who are completing their high school education. The new daycare center, located within the high school, will offer a safe and secure place for infants and toddlers.
“According to law, we cannot discriminate by excluding young parents from school. In fact, it’s a great benefit to our entire community for them to achieve their high school diplomas and become successful adults,” explained Molly Dwyer, Continuing Education program coordinator at Parkrose. “In a way, with our new childcare program, we’ll be educating two generations at once.”
The Parkrose childcare center also provides an opportunity for all interested students to learn first-hand about the growing field of early childhood education. A staff of four experienced adults will manage the center’s day-to-day operations.
Joanne Oleksiak, coordinator of the high school’s Community Connections Program, says her goal is to have loving arms for every baby at the center. To that end, she invites experienced and caring adults to consider volunteering their help. “Your contribution of time, typically about two hours a day, will make a tremendous difference in the lives of these young families,” she said.
To become a volunteer, visit the main office at Parkrose High School, 12003 N.E. Shaver St., and ask for an application packet. Background checks are required for this volunteer position, so be prepared to offer picture identification such as an Oregon driver’s license or ID card and your social security number.
For more information about this unique community service opportunity, contact Dwyer at 503-408-2688 or molly_dwyer@parkrose.k12.or.us. You can also reach Oleksiak at joanne_oleksiak@parkrose.k12.or.us.
EPNO accepting grant applications
The East Portland Neighborhood Office will be accepting additional applications for Neighborhood Small Grants between Jan. 2 and Feb. 5. A total of $14,400 will be available for this second cycle of the grants. Application packets are available on the Web site, www.epno.org, or by contacting the office at 503-823-4550.
The grant program’s goal is to support neighborhood- and community-based organizations through projects that build their organizational capacity, attract new and diverse membership, and sustain those already involved in their organizations.
Encouraged projects include those that establish partnerships among neighborhood associations and other community-based organizations and those that provide opportunities for under-represented communities to become engaged in the neighborhood system.
Community organizations interested in additional information about the East Portland Neighborhood Small Grant program should contact Richard Bixby at 503-823-4501 or rbixby@ci.portland.or.us.
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