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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 14, 2019)
8 Wednesday, August 14, 2019 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Kiwanis helps woman pursue her mission PHOTO BY GARY MILLER Sisters Habitat for Humanity operates on the work of volunteers. The organization honored them last week. Habitat volunteers honored While many new volun- teers have joined the Sisters Habitat for Humanity crew this year, one volunteer hung up his hat after more than 28 years serving the organiza- tion. Russell Williams, 96, was one of the first volunteers when Sisters Habitat was formed in 1991. He contin- ued to volunteer in the Thrift Store and then the ReStore until last month. Last week, he and the many other volunteers were honored at the 11th annual Sisters Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Appreciation Barbecue. During the event 98 peo- ple, who have spent more than 100 hours of their time during the past year, were presented with cer- tificates from the President9s Volunteer Service award program. Two groups were also honored for their work with the housing organiza- tion; The Heart of Oregon Corps YouthBuild, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 280. A grand total of 252 people volunteered more than 27,000 hours at Habitat9s Thrift Store, ReStore, at the job Your Story MATTERS Audry Van Houweling, PMHNP Columnist The cost of exclusion A few weeks ago, along with millions of other Americans, I sat on a blan- ket, ate my pie, and watched the fireworks light up the sky. Patriotism is a loaded term 4 what it means is par- ticular to the individual. For site and serving on commit- tees. That9s the equivalent of one person working 14 years, Executive Director Sharlene Weed said. I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e President9s awards, Connie Cross was presented with Sisters Habitat9s 1,000-hour club award. This club was formed in 2009, and since that time 102 Sisters Habitat vol- unteers have been inducted. The club was formed to honor volunteers who serve a cumulative 1,000 hours. Cross is a volunteer at the Thrift Store and spends her time pricing and organizing books. She also serves on the board of directors and a store committee. <Connie is an amazing volunteer, she has passion for people, books and proj- ects. I appreciate her ability to see the bigger picture. If you want something done she is a great person to ask, and I love how she raises her eye- brows and gives you her hon- est opinion. I am very grate- ful to have her as a volunteer, she is the best,= Thrift Store Manager Josie Newport said. Homeowner Penny Guinn spoke at the event to thank volunteers. Guinn, who will soon be moving from her home to be near her kids, said <I am grateful for my house and the equity I9ve earned. It9s bittersweet, but without my home I would not be able to make this move. Thank you all for what you9ve done for me.= Those interested in volun- teering with Sisters Habitat can attend a volunteer ori- entation session which is offered on the first and third Wednesday of each month. For more information and to register contact Marie Clasen at marie@sistershabitat.org or 541-549-1193. Through Habitat for Humanity, families and indi- viduals in need of a hand up partner with Sisters Habitat to build or improve a place they can call home. Future home- owners help build their own homes alongside volunteers, and pay an affordable mort- gage. Through financial sup- port, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. some it is a sentiment that comes with great pride, for others ambivalence, and for others skepticism and shame. We have all had our own unique American story; some of us have been prosperous and graced with opportunity while others have a story of struggle. My mind went all sorts of places during the 15 min- utes of bright booms above me. As I surveyed the near- idyllic small-town gathering surrounding me gasping and cheering, I felt a deep sense of privilege that somehow life afforded me to be in that moment cozied up to people I care about, safe as can be, without worry. I ruminated on the timeless words <all men are created equal& with certain unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.= A powerful standard still not guaranteed. I thought of my own roots, my generational story, and the hardship and resilience that made possible my own citizenship and opportunity. And in the flashes of illu- mination above came the images of children encaged on the border 4 some only infants4 sleeping on con- crete floors in overcrowded compounds, likely without parental care, not allowed to be physically comforted, and amidst my gratitude and patriotism was a mix of shame, anger, and sadness. Movement and nomad- ism are a part of human nature. Whether we are mov- ing across town or across borders, the reasons we do so are varied, but most often See EXCLUSION on page 10 Sisters resident Karly Lusby has a mission 4 and with support from the Kiwanis Career Opportunity Fund (COF), she hopes to make it a reality soon. Lusby9s goal is to develop a certification program in Central Oregon for teaching English as a second language (TESL). In research that led her to ask for COF assistance, she said she was <stunned to learn that no program existed for certification and training on our side of the hill.= L u s b y 9s b a c k g r o u n d includes a bachelor of arts degree in sociology/litera- ture from Pacific University, t e a c h i n g M o n t e s s o r i preschool, camp counseling, and running three small busi- nesses. She notes in her COF application that she <loves working with people, often in groups, and teaching.= Believing there is a need for an accessible TESL pro- gram in Sisters, Lusby9s plan is to offer both group and private lessons. She notes that her dream is to become a teacher trainer, thus to be able to train and certify other TESL instructors. Much of her own learn- ing will be online, though the program she has selected will require some travel to Eugene. PHOTO PROVIDED Karly Lusby, left, is the most recent recipient of a Kiwanis Career Opportunity Fund grant. Richard Esterman & Bend/Sisters Garden RV Resort Presents 1 1 August 17 & 18 Saturday, 10am to 5pm Sunday, 10am to 4pm Downtown sisters (Oak St. and Main Ave.) 9 western skits and shootout performances! Saturday: High Noon, 1PM, 2PM, 3pm & 4PM Sunday High Noon, 1PM, 2PM & 3PM For information contact Richard Esterman at 541-420-0279 or centraloregonshowsfoundation@gmail.com www.centraloregonshowsfoundation.com