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To fully serve the community, the Mid-county Memo offers this section to showcase upcoming special events and celebrate milestones in our readers' lives - those seemingly small accomplishments and everyday events that often do not receive the recognition they deserve - that should be shared with friends and neighbors.
Memo Pad submissions for the October issue are due by Wednesday, Sept. 15. For best results, e-mail Darlene Vinson at editor@midcountymemo.com. Or mail 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.
Project Linkage needs drivers
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| Carl von Rohr volunteers his time as a driver for Metropolitan Family Service. Drivers are needed in Mid-county. Volunteer today to make a difference in the life of a neighbor. COURTESY METROPOLITAN FAMILY SERVICE |
Started over 30 years ago by a consortium of religious groups in Northeast Portland, Project Linkage moved to MFS in 1987 where it has continuously provided transportation, friendly visiting, telephone reassurance and minor home repair services to folks in North and Northeast Portland. In partnership with the transportation agency, Ride Connection, and through the support of a dedicated volunteer and staff base, Project Linkage now provides rides throughout Mid-county. But there's a catch: Project Linkage needs to build its Mid-county transportation volunteer base and its capacity to impact the life of someone like you, your parent or neighbor. Take the experience of one elderly Mid-county resident who, for lack of transportation options, was unable to visit her sister in Northwest Portland. With the help of Project Linkage she now sees her sister regularly and was able to attend a recent family wedding. Another way to view the need for transportation in Mid-county is the turndown rate, a measure of ride requests that go unfilled due to driver shortage. In the last year, this rate has averaged 128 turndowns per month. It's a depressing figure, but with your help it can be changed.
As Project Linkage staff member Marcy Hughes says, “volunteers are crucial to the success of our program, and to the mobility of our community. People can volunteer with ease because the commitment is really flexible. We can work around schedules and don't require a huge time commitment - one hour a week is all it takes to make a huge difference for someone who needs to get somewhere.”
Interested in driving in Mid-county? Please contact Heather Pruess at Metropolitan Family Service for an application at 503-249-8215 ext. 22 or heatherp@metfamily.org.
Musical instruments needed
The Parkrose School District Music Boosters are requesting donations of unused or under-used musical instruments and related equipment to introduce and enhance the musical experience for students who cannot afford to purchase their own.
With research indicating music experiences can reinforce other classroom subjects and in some cases be the connect that keeps a child focused and choosing to remain in school, the Music Boosters are committed to facilitating musical curriculum for students.
While new instruments or those in playable condition are preferred, the group will accept most repairable instruments, related musical equipment, and monetary donations.
If you can help, contact Louis Bybee at 503-936-1369 or l.bybee@gmail.com.
Auction sponsors lining up
Valentine's Day still seems a long way off, but SnowCap Community Charities is already accepting sponsorships for its ninth annual Valentines dinner and action fundraiser.
First in the sponsor signup lineup are Frontier Communications and Gresham Ford.
“Frontier Communications is opening a new income stream by providing high-speed Internet connections for online donations,” said Judy Alley, SnowCap executive director. “Online donations are becoming a growing part of SnowCap's ability to serve the poor.”
Gresham Ford is again committing economic support to SnowCap, according to Bess Wills, vice president and general manager of the auto dealership. The dealership donates $100 for each new car sold and ten percent of auto service work when customers designate SnowCap for the donation. The donations come from the dealership profit and are not added to the cost of the vehicle or service, Wills noted.
“Gresham Ford has been one of SnowCap's most steadfast supporters. Because of help from Gresham Ford and other businesses we are able to maintain SnowCap services to the poor without interruption through the current tough economic times,” Alley added.
The 2011 Valentine dinner and auction with be Saturday Feb. 12 at the Mt. Hood Community College campus in Gresham. The event includes a buffet dinner and silent and oral auctions. “We are currently seeking additional corporate sponsorships and also donated items for the two auctions,” Alley said. “Several sponsor levels are available.”
For additional information regarding the dinner and auction or to donate food or money for the SnowCap food pantry, call 503-674-8785, ext. 17, or email dolores@snowcap.org.
According to Alley, SnowCap has experienced a 20 percent increase in requests for food assistance in the last year and has exceeded its food budget for two years running.
SnowCap is a philanthropic organization created more than 40 years ago to provide food, clothing, advocacy and other services to the poor in much of east Portland, including Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview and Wood Village.
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