LOCAL 2A — THE OBSERVER WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2019 Spreading the warmth By Dick Mason The Observer Submitted photo Boy Scout James Thurman stands on a footbridges he built at Morgan Lake. New footbridges at Morgan Lake, thanks to Boy Scout By Dick Mason The Observer LA GRANDE — Walking and biking near the shore of the north end of Morgan Lake will be much easier when conditions are marshy thanks to the efforts of James Thur- man, a La Grande Boy Scout. Thurman built two 30-foot footbridges at the northeast end of the lake for his Eagle project. The bridges replaced two similar foot- bridges that were in poor condition. They were starting to “fall apart and rot,” Thurman wrote in a statement about his Eagle project. Thurman stated it is important to have the two new footbridges at the site because in the spring conditions get marshy there, making it diffi cult for bikers and pedestrians to traverse through the area. He got the idea for the project after talking with Stu Spence, the director of the city of La Grande’s parks department. The Boy Scout said he began the project by designing the footbridges with his father, Greg Thurman. Next, he removed the existing footbridges and installed concrete supports for the new ones. “This was defi nitely the most diffi cult part of the project, as the ground was extremely tough and rocky,” the scout said. Thurman hauled lumber to the site and cut it into desired lengths and constructed the footbridges with the help of 30 fellow Scouts, friends and community members. Beeck Farms, the Beeck family and the La Grande Parks and Recreation Depart- ment donated funds to help with the build. Thurman also said his father and Spence played key roles in completing the foot- bridges. Thurman said he owes a lot to Boy Scouts. “Although I have nearly completed my time with the Scouting program, I will never stop being a Scout,” he wrote. “Through- out my seven years of involvement, I have received important life skills, (met) great friends and infl uential mentors and (made) countless memories that I will carry with me the rest of my life.” LA GRANDE — More than 350 Union County families are in a better position to weather the frigid conditions now hitting the Grande Ronde Valley thanks to the La Grande Lions Club and Soroptimist International of La Grande. The two teamed up again to do what they do best — help those who need a boost. The La Grande Lions Club provided coats to families and Soroptimist In- ternational provided gloves, boots, hats and socks at the Riveria Activity Center over two weekends as part of their combined “Coats and Boots for Kids” program. The coats were provided by the La Grande Lions Club’s annual Coats for Kids program, which has been operating in Union County for more than 30 years. The coats are purchased with money from Lions Club fundrais- ing activities and donated funds. Local businesses are among those who contribute to the Lions Club Coats for Kids effort. Individual donors who made a big impact this year include one anonymous individual who purchased several hundred dollars worth of new coats and donated them to Coats for Kids, said Linda Gleeson, a member of the La Grande Lions Club. In addition, collection boxes are placed in local schools where parents can recycle coats they no longer need. The recycled coats are given to Betty Sprenger of La Grande, who does cleaning and mending. Sprenger has done this volunteer work for years. Submitted photo La Grande Lions Club members Larry Glaze, left, and Tanner Willson, show off some of the items provided to families via the club’s Coats for Kids program. The Lions Club works in conjunction with Soroptimist International of La Grande to provide clothing to help families get through the winter. “She does an amazing job. She works for hours and hours,” said La Grande Lions Club member Tim Gleeson. Soroptimist International of La Grande purchases its clothing items with funds raised from club activities such as the annual Fes- tival of Trees, funds from donations and with the help of local businesses that provide gloves, boots, hats and socks at a discount. Di Lyn Larsen-Hill, a member of Soroptimist International of La Grande, said it is very fulfi lling to see the looks on the faces of those leaving the Riveria Activity Center with new winter clothing. “It is so wonderful to see the smiles of children walk- ing out out with new pairs of boots (and other items). They look so proud,” Larsen- Hill said. Agencies that assist the Coats and Boots for Kids program each year include the Department of Human Services, which sends out postcards to more than 2,600 families throughout Union County who could benefi t from the giveaways, notify- ing them of the event. DHS also provides the postage for these postcards, and the InterMountain ESD does the printing free of charge. Community Connection of Northeast Oregon provides the facility to house the distribution events. For information about making donations to the La Grande Lions Club’s Coats for Kids program, write to the club at P.O. Box 1320, La Grande 97850. Informa- tion for making donations to Soroptimist International of La Grande can be obtained by writing the Soroptimsts at P.O. Box 3202, La Grande 97850. Eastern Oregon, you’re our kind of communities. Respect, responsiveness and commitment. That’s been our approach for more than 125 years, and it’s what you and your business deserve. 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