Page 2C YOUR EO NEWS East Oregonian Saturday, January 13, 2018 R.D. Offutt builds community with grant program Threemile Canyon Farms recently announced the Boardman Rural Fire Protection District is the recipient of a grant through the Offutt Family Foundation. The grant will be used to purchase a lightweight quick response unit. The fire district, which spans 330 square miles and serves approximately 3,310 citizens within the city of Boardman and another 5,000 in daily commuter traffic, also responds to resi- dents living in outlying areas. In addition, they also respond to Morrow County Health District requests for medical emergencies. As part of its special volunteer fire department focus of its Community Builder program, the unique initiative is open to employees of R.D. Offutt Company, parent company of Threemile Canyon Farms in Boardman. Anne Struthers, director of communications with R.D. Offutt, said the company isn’t disclosing individual grant amounts but that more than $500,000 was donated in this special cycle of Community Builder grants that benefited volunteer fire departments throughout the organization’s footprint. All R.D. Offutt Company team members who are active volunteer firefighters were invited to apply for a Commu- nity Builder grant, Struthers said. As part of the applica- tion, the employee explained how the grant would benefit the local community along with information about his/ her personal commitment to Pool tourney racks up cash for senior center A donation of $3,000 is going to the Herm- iston Senior Center thanks to the annual Christmas Charity Pool Tournament. The Dec. 16 event, held at Midway Bar & Grill, included a spaghetti feed, raffle, 50/50 pot and silent auction. Organizers of the event expressed thanks to sponsors, those who donated raffle prizes and tournament participants for another successful year. The revolving trophy is on display at Last Chance Tavern in Hermiston. BIRTHS Photo contributed by Anne Struthers The Boardman Rural Fire Protection District received a Community Builder grant from R.D. Offutt Company. Those present during the presentation included Lt. Adam Cole, firefighter Jeremy Gehrke, fire marshal Marty Broadbent, fire chief Mark Rogelstad, firefighter Tammy Sheppard, Marty Myers, general manager at Threemile Canyon Farms; assistant fire chief Bill Ellis, Lt. Casey Zellars, Jeff Wendler, director of livestock operations at Threemile Canyon Farms; Greg Harris, farm manager for Threemile Canyon Farms; and firefighter Gene Sheppard. the fire department. Tammy Sheppard, crop records clerk at Threemile Canyon Farms and a dedi- cated volunteer firefighter since 2010, submitted the Community Builder grant for the Boardman Rural Fire Protection District. Sheppard and her husband, Gene, currently man Station 3 for the fire district. “It is fulfilling to help the citizens of my community and those traveling through our district and commuting here for jobs. I also take pride in the fact that we are protecting the environment and agricultural resources within the district,” she said. Community Builder appli- cations are submitted year- round and awarded twice a year. Because of the number of team members who donate time to their local volunteer fire departments, this fall’s round of submissions was specially designated for rural and volunteer fire depart- ments, Struthers said. “The response we received was overwhelming and speaks to the great needs our communities have in providing resources to volun- teer fire departments,” said Jean Zimmerman, executive vice president of RDO Equip- ment Co. “Supporting our communities is important to the Offutt Family Foundation and these grants will greatly impact, not just the volunteer fire departments, but the citi- zens who rely on this crucial community service.” Good Shepherd Medical Center, Hermiston JAN. 2, 2017 ROLDAN — Maria Castillo and Lorenzo Roldan of Hermiston: a girl, Daniela Roldan. JAN. 3, 2018 JUDD — Megan Judd and Joseph Judd of Hermiston: a boy, Killian Gabriel Judd. Photo contributed by Maria Duron The Hermiston School District is celebrating School Board Recognition Month. Board members include, back: Dave Smith, Karen Sherman, Jason Middleton, Mark Gomolski; front: Ginny Holthus, Josh Goller and Bonnie Luisi. Hermiston commends school board The Hermiston School District joined the other 196 school districts throughout Oregon to celebrate January as “School Board Recognition Month.” Interim superintendent Tricia Mooney said school board members spend countless hours of unpaid time working to support educational opportunities for the district’s students. “They also serve as the corporate board of directors to the fourth largest employer in the community,” Mooney said. “Celebrating School Board Recognition Month is one way to say thanks for all they do.” Mooney said that often the efforts of school board members go unrecognized. In supporting local education, Mooney said the board focuses on many areas, including creating a vision for what parents and citizens want their school district to become and how to make student achievement the top priority. In addition, they monitor the use of the district’s human and financial resources, support a climate where students can learn and teachers can teach, collaborate to solve common problems and to support common successes, and focus on continuous improve- ment. During the month of January, each board member is recognized by a school within the district, which may include a student body assembly, joining students for lunch, and bulletin boards or door decorations done in their honor. School board members include Dave Smith, Karen Sherman, Jason Middleton, Mark Gomolski, Ginny Holthus, Josh Goller and Bonnie Luisi. “Even though we are making a special effort during January to show appreciation for our school board members, we recognize their contributions reflect a year-round effort on their part. They are dedicated individuals who are committed to improving student achievement and to fighting for the best for all of our students,” Mooney said. St. Anthony Hospital, Pendleton JAN. 4, 2017 OLIVER — Christina M. Oliver and Nathan R. Oliver: a girl, Jessa Marie Oliver. JAN. 5, 2018 MORRIS — Jamie Herrera and Lawrence Morris of Umatilla: a boy, Quinten Makai Morris. SCHILLER — Caren K. McLaren and Jeffery R. Schiller of Pilot Rock: a boy, Tripper Canyon Schiller. JAN. 8, 2018 ALLEN — Anna C. Allen and Casey T. Allen of Pendleton: a boy, Cayman Clay Allen. GREGG — Jill C. Gregg and Patrick M. Gregg of Pendleton: a boy, Christopher David Gregg. VILLEGAS — Erica Guzman of Umatilla and Ramior Villegas Jr. of Boardman: a boy, Ramiro Villegas III. JAN. 9, 2018 HUMPHREYS — Jessica Humphreys and Kyle Humphreys of Pendleton: a girl, Helen Rose Humphreys. Photo contributed by Ernie Kern Members of Hermiston Elks Lodge No. 1845 helped assemble and deliver 28 Christmas baskets to Hermiston area families. Santa’s ‘Elks’ deliver Christmas baskets Members of Hermiston Elks Lodge No. 1845 were busy during the holiday season. More than a dozen of Santa’s “Elks” helped in assembling food baskets for delivery just in time for Christmas. The group made 28 deliveries to Hermiston area families. Elks member Ernie Kern said the group partners with more than a dozen local organizations to help ensure that those in need will have a good Christmas meal. Special thanks, Kern said, goes to Fiesta Foods, Safeway and Agape House. Submit information to: community@eastorego- nian.com or drop off to the attention of Tam- my Malgesini at 333 E. Main St., Hermiston or Renee Struthers at 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendle- ton. Call 541-564-4539 or 541-966-0818 with questions. P et of the Week Photo contributed by Phil Hamm Hermiston Lions Club president Phillip Spicerkuhn (center) presents a check to Sherrie and Ron Jardine of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4750. Hermiston Lions support local VFW post The Hermiston Lions Club recently made a donation to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4750 in Hermiston. While the Hermiston Lions Club main mission is to help provide eyeglasses and hearing aids to those in need, they also contribute to other important organizations or projects within the Hermiston community, said Phil Hamm. The $500 donation to the local VFW group will help support their emergency fund or for other needs within the post. “The Hermiston Lions Club is honored to be able to contributed to the Hermiston VFW Desert Post to support the needs of those who unselfishly serve our country,” said Phillip Spicerkuhn, Lions Club president. Mama Cat Visit Mama Cat at the Pioneer Humane Society/Paws Tues - Sat • Noon - 4pm 517 SE 3rd ST, Pendleton 541-276-0181 Check out the PAWSABILITY Thrift Store This is Mama Cat, she’s a 2 year old tabby with tons of attention to give. She loves being lazy and giving love but also playing with toys. She comes spayed s and up to date with 1 6 Pet shots. Come meet this dopted A sweet girl at PAWS! 18! in 20 PENDLETON VETERINARY CLINIC 125 S. M ain St., Pendleton 541-276-9292 Serving Your Small Animal Needs Since1945 625 SW Emigrant Ave Pendleton, OR 97801 (541) 276-3141