lively Depoe Bay seeks safe harbor The Depoe Bay Chamber of Commerce has launched a fund-raising campaign to support local businesses and non-profit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. “Though on the surface, there seems to be financial support in the pipeline, many local organizations and individuals either haven’t yet received any funds and/ or don’t qualify for federal or state support,” said Chamber Executive Director Laura Furgurson. “Unfortunately, many economic experts predict at least 30 percent of small businesses will not make it through this current crisis. As the Depoe Bay Community, we simply can’t let that happen to these hard-working and dedicated individuals and organizations.” “Though many locals are unemployed and/or financially stretched, we know that overall as a community we can support this critical effort,” she added. “In fact, the small town of Yachats raised over $150,000 in just a couple of months. Some have given $5-$25, while others have donated their stimulus checks. Every little bit helps!” Donations to support local Depoe Bay area organizations can be made at DiscoverDepoeBay.org by clicking the “donate” button at the top right of the home screen. Or send a check to Depoe Bay Community Fund at PO Box 21 Depoe Bay, Oregon, 97341. After the chamber has estimated the amount of donations received, it will begin accepting simple and quick applications to distribute the funds directly to local businesses and non-profits. Details for how to apply will be posted at www. discoverdepoebay.org. Distribution of funds will be approved by a vote of a committee of five individuals including two current chamber board members, two community members appointed by the board, and the chamber’s executive director. Since the Chamber is a 501©6 non-profit, at this time, contributions are not tax-deductible, but the chamber is working to make that possible in the near future. A coordinated art response The Oregon Coast Council of the Arts has started putting together art kits for distribution to students enrolled in the 21st Century After School Program held at Sam Case Elementary in Newport. OCCA Arts Learning Coordinator Sara Siggelkow and Janet Webster, chair of the VAC Youth Arts Advisory Board, put together a program that delivers map- themed kits once a week for four weeks, with help from other volunteers, including Veronica Lundell and Cathey Briggs. Each week, McKenzie Purdom of the 21st Century program, delivers new pages and materials directly to the homes of the 31 enrolled students. The kits include a tab, a colorful page, a notebook page, four sheets of drawing/sketching paper, plus pages specific to each week’s challenge. The book itself is made from a recycled file folder and brads that the kids created during their first week. Week One was about pattern and the parts of a map. Students were tasked with drawing eight repeating patterns and drawing a map of where they live, complete with a key and border. In Week Two, students studied texture and texture plates. They were tasked with making rubbings of four different items; experimenting with single colors and multiple colors; and then making a map of their favorite place, using texture to 4 • oregoncoastTODAY.com • facebook.com/oregoncoasttoday • May 15, 2020 McKenzie Purdom of the 21st Century program on art kit delivery duty represent different areas. Week Three will be about shape, with the challenge for students to draw a map of their families. Week Four will ask students to combine all the skills they have learned to make a treasure map. The art kit idea grew out of an existing OCCA program to provide hands-on art lessons to kids enrolled in the 21st Century Program, a federal initiative that serves homeless and at-risk youth. These efforts have been funded through a generous grant from US Bank.