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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2007)
16 vernonia’s voice november volunteerism 2007 P.E.O. - Women Helping Women, It’s No Secret By Scott Laird Many people have heard of P.E.O. Many of you know about the great work this group does within their communities. Many of us probably know a lady who is a member. This is not a se- cret organization, but I’ll bet none of us know what P.E.O. stands for. year, taking a short break over the summer. Mem- bership is by invitation. Our main focus is raising money to give local women scholarships and to as- sist the work of the entire organization. Every year we award at least one scholarship to a graduating senior girl from the community. This past year we were able to give two scholarships. We also P.E.O.’s mission statement states “P.E.O. is have social programs and meet yearly to celebrate a philanthropic organization where women cele- Founders Day with other local chapters.” brate the advancement of women, educate women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans and I asked a couple of local members “What stewardship of Cottey College, and motivate each does P.E.O. stand for?” and was told “We are a other to achieve their highest aspirations.” It is Philanthropic Educational Organization,” by each a sisterhood, similar to a sorority, with chapters of them. According to the P.E.O. Record, a bi- throughout the United States and Canada, has over monthly periodical the organization produces, a quarter of a million members, and was estab- when P.E.O. began it was a college sorority and lished in 1869. keeping “secrets” was part of that era and a way to create bonds of friendship. Today the organization Locally in Columbia County there are chap- continues to honor their founders by keeping the ters in St. Helens and Clatskanie as well as in Ver- meaning of P.E.O. private. nonia. The Vernonia chapter has a long history, having been established in 1945. According to P.E.O. strives to meet its mission by maintain- current Vernonia Chapter President Mary Tolonen, ing five educational projects: P.E.O. Educational the chapter here continues to be very active. Loan Fund, to lend money to worthy women stu- dents; Cottey College, an accredited liberal arts “We have twenty-three current members,” said college for women, located in Missouri, that is Tolonen. “We meet bi-monthly throughout the owned and supported by the P.E.O. Sisterhood; P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund that provides funding for international women to pur- sue studies in the U.S. and Canada; P.E.O. Pro- gram for Continuing Education for women who are returning to school; and P.E.O. Scholar awards for women pursuing advanced degrees. Besides the locally awarded scholarships, local women are also eligible to apply for funds through the Oregon State Fund if they are sponsored by their local chapter and receive a letter of recom- mendation. The Vernonia Chapter primarily raises its funds for scholarships with the annual Christmas Wreath Sale in December. The ladies will be at the Christ- mas Bazaar with the wreaths for sale, or you can call 429-4814 or contact Carol Davis at 429-9671 to pre-order them. So what does P.E.O. stand for? Peace Em- powers Others? People Eating Onions? Here’s my guess - Propagate Esoteric Oblation- but your guess is as good as mine! Commission on Children and Families Promotes “Undie Sunday” Benefit In August, the Columbia County Commission on Children and Families along with County churches and Wal-Mart, sponsored a month-long event called Undie Sunday. The goal was to gather underwear and socks for new-born through high school age children. Local church and community members, County and Department of Human Services staff, the St. Helens Book Shop, Senator Johnson’s office and Wal-mart donated items and money. 1,435 items were collected including diapers, underwear and socks of all sizes, and slippers for the elderly. Commission on Children and Families members, Fred Butcher and Robin Loper, took the lead in organizing Columbia County’s Undie Sunday. This has been successful in Tillamook for several years. Undie Sunday is part of the Commission on Children and Families’ “Advocacy for Children” agenda and will be an annual event. The underwear and socks are being delivered by the Northwest Regional Education Service District to Co- lumbia County school nurses and staff who will give them to students in need. The Commission would like to thank everyone who donated items and participated, with special thanks to members of our faith community. Midway Veterinary Clinic Small and Large Animals Flock of Turkeys Needed For Vernonia Cares It is time, once again, to begin herding turkeys for the Vernonia Cares Christmas food boxes. Cares will provide groceries for an entire Christ- mas dinner, including a turkey, for low- income households. This is the fifth year for the Christmas Turkey Drive. Currently, more than 300 clients representing 100 households are helped each month according to Director Sandy Welch. The goal this year is to provide 175 Christmas food boxes to clients as well as other households who need a helping hand during the holidays. Open in Vernonia Wednesday & Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Call for Appointments (503) 429-1612 Or 24 hr. Emergency Number (503) 397-6470 805 Bridge Street Vernonia, OR Between now and Thanksgiving, most grocery stores advertise their turkey promotions. Lo- cally, the turkeys are distributed only at Christmas, but now is the time to gather and store them frozen for the Christmas food boxes. The Saver Shield program, through Vernonia Sentry, has in the past, allowed Cares to purchase turkeys at a reduced price. With the corporate decision to eliminate the Saver Shield program, more turkey donations are needed. Vernonia Cares has benefited from Sentry’s assistance through check stand donations of turkeys, Christmas food box sponsorship and food barrel receptacles. Thank you Sentry for agreeing to offer the check stand giving again this year. Donors may also opt to sponsor a family food box at a cost of $30.00 that will include a turkey or make a $10.00 donation that will allow Vernonia Cares to purchase a turkey. This may be done at any Sentry check stand or mailed Directly to Vernonia Cares at P.O. Box 126, Vernonia. Simply specify on the check that it is for the Christmas food boxes. Call Pat or Bob Stacklie at (503) 429-7563 with questions, or for turkey ‘taxi’ service. Sug- gested turkey weight for donation is 10-12 pounds. One hundred percent of donations stay in the community and all donations are tax deductible. Tuesday thru Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (503) 429-4350 62467 N. Hwy 47 Vernonia, OR 97064