PAGE A6, KEIZERTIMES, SEPTEMBER 10, 2021
Willamette Eagles fi nd home in Keizer
BY MATT RAWLINGS
Of the Keizertimes
After being without a home for nearly
two years, the Willamette Aerie Eagles
#20801 are back in operation, moving from
Salem to Keizer.
“We are slowly getting back into doing
things,” said Eagles secretary Ann Madsen.
Located at 4090 Cherry Ave. NE,
Willamette Arie #20801, which is a local
precinct of the national Fraternal Order of
Eagles Charity Foundation, is a non-profi t
organization that seeks to help others
through fundraising, activities, social gath-
erings and volunteerism.
Their location on Cherry Ave. was
the prior home to the Keizer Eagles, who
merged with Willamette in 2009, accord-
ing to Madsen. The property was used as
a medical marijuana facility for 10 years
before the deed to the building was trans- them back, and the dances and activities
are also bringing some of the people back,”
ferred back to the Eagles in 2019.
After months of renovation, the Eagles Madsen said.
There are also pool tables, lottery, foos-
were planning on opening in Spring 2020,
ball
and shuffl eboard, as well as an open
but the COVID-19
pandemic forced them
to delay the opening
for 16 months.
“That was volun-
teer labor. Our people
worked themselves
to the bone,” said
Eagles entertainment
chairperson Shirley
Howard.
However, on July
24, the Eagles #20801
location
fi nally
opened the doors to
its new building.
“They invested
heavily over the
last two years
Willamette Eagles President
on restoring and
updating
their
building. Now they
are ready to welcome
members and grow their volunteerism and bar. A pool league and cornhole league will
charity work here in Keizer,” Keizer Mayor be on the horizon in the Eagles future.
With the motto of “people helping
Cathy Clark said in a Facebook post.
people,”
the Willamette Eagles use their
Despite dealing with COVID restric-
entertainment
events as fundraisers for a
tions, and losing members due to being
multitude
of
diff
erent charities.
closed for two years, the Willamette Eagles
Each
event,
along
with membership fees,
feature a multitude of weekly enjoyable
serves
as
a
philanthropic
activity, with the
activities for their members, with bingo
money
going
to
local
charities
in the area —
and dancing available on Wednesdays,
bake
sales
and
auctions
are
also
a common
dart league on Thursdays and poker tour-
occurrence.
A
new
charity
is
selected
for
naments ($40 buy-in) on Thursdays and
the
Eagles
to
donate
to
each
month.
This
Fridays — membership is $85 per year and
volunteering at some events is required. month, funds will be going to UPWARD
Events often feature 50/50 raffl e baskets on Bound Camp, an on-going Christian-based
recreational and educational camp for peo-
select items.
“The grand opening brought some of ple with disabilities that are 12 years of age
This is a charitable
organization where
people help people, and
we want our members
to be willing to do that.
And we can supply a lot
of fun along the way.
— DALE VANDERZANDEN
and over in an environment that presents
opportunities for growth outside the indi-
vidual’s usual routine or habitat.
The Eagles currently have approxi-
mately 300 Aerie (male) and 106 auxiliary
(female) memberships. Madsen admitted
that most of their members are over the
age of 70, but that they are beginning to
attract some younger people — anyone age
21 and over is eligible to join.
“We’re starting to get the younger gen-
eration,” Madsen said.
With four Eagles groups shutting down
around the state over the past year, the
longevity of the Willamette Eagles will
depend solely on member participation.
But with the initiation of 75 people over a
two-month stretch, Aerie President Dale
(Goofy) Vanderzanden believes that the
Willamette Eagles have a bright future.
“This is a charitable organization where
people help people, and we want our mem-
bers to be willing to do that. And we can
supply a lot of fun along the way," he said/
For more information on the Willamette
Eagles, visit their website at www.foe2081.
org. To become a member, contact Madsen
at salemeagkebeak@gmail.com or call
503-363-3212.
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