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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 20, 2017)
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017 Vision from 1A “Almost anything you can imagine is part of this vision,” Lacer said. Spencer agreed. “We’re seeing a lot of diver- sity between the things that are institutionally led and the AND THE WINNER IS... things where people in the community said they wanted to step in, with things like local foods and the Siuslaw Youth Soccer Association,” she said. “What I like about this vision is that, at the end of the day when someone comes up to me and says, ‘I have this great idea,’ I can say, ‘Great. How can we help you do that?’” One of those people is Greg Wood, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw and founder of the Florence Emergency Cold Weather Shelter, who saw a need in the community and stepped forward. He told the story of a home- less family who asked for a replacement tent, since the family’s current one could not keep out rodents. “Several pastors I meet with started talking about this and came up with the idea of trying to buy cheap but serviceable travel trailers and put families in them,” he said. Soon after, Wood and others formed First Step, which oper- ates under the cold weather shelter’s 501(c)(3), to provide transitional housing services for families. “A family that is struggling to stay warm and dry at night probably isn’t going to be very productive in the community,” Wood said. “Our anecdotal evi- dence suggests that when they are given even a travel trailer, their kids go to school more often and they are free to use some of the energy to get a job, clear up their legal records and do some things that are actual- ly helpful and productive in Florence.” First Step accepts donations of money or trailers to help KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS “house the unhoused.” It is also working with county and city regulations to legally set up areas where these trailers can stay more permanently. Wood envisions a one-year pilot program, and seeks addi- tional community input and partnerships. He also presented at Florence Area Chamber of Commerce’s Noon Forum on Dec. 14. “Something has to be done,” he said. “That’s why we’re calling it First Step, because we have no illusions about our program as a permanent solu- tion to anything, but it is a transition. … Life gets very much better for them.” For more information about First Step or Florence Emergency Cold Weather Shelter, contact Wood at revgwood@yahoo.com or 541- 991-8208. “This is where you can say you have a project, and make it happen,” Spencer said. “That is really the magical piece of our Vision. We’re at this amazing spot where we’re making dif- ferences in so many ways.” Vision Keepers also present- ed on the new community cal- endar, available online at RiverCal.org. This website also hosts information on the entire Siuslaw Vision 2025. In addition, people may also apply for the three Siuslaw Vision paid positions. Final proposals are due by 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 8, 2018. Vision Co-Chair Jo Beaudreau ended the meeting. “You guys are really the people who make a differ- ence,” she said to attendees, and all the people who attend- ed forums, joined a committee or took a survey. “Keep up the amazing work. You’re doing it today, you’re going to do it tomorrow and truly you’re making the Siuslaw region a community.” Watch Sunshine Armer was the winner of the Christmas Card contest for Shorewood Senior Living. We had our Holiday Cards printed with her art work and sent them out with our greetings. “In Search of the Lord’s Way” Sunday, 7:30 AM KMTR Channel 12 Congratulations Sunshine! Then visit the Florence church of Christ 1833 Tamarack Florence, Oregon She received a $50.00 gift card for her eff orts. and experience the joy and simplicity of pre-denominational New Testament Worship. (Romans 16:16) Sponsored by St. Mary Our Lady of the Dunes Knights of Columbus Assembly 3656 Florence, Oregon s a m t s i r Ch ervices S Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Sunday, December 24 th 6:00 PM First Baptist Church, Florence 25 th and Spruce Bible Study: Sunday, 10:00 am Worship: Sunday, 11:00 am www.churchofchristfl orence.org Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Sunday, Dec. 24th 7 PM “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” ~ Matthew 1:21 Please Join Us for a Joyous Evening on the Eve of Our Savior’s Birth as We Light the Way to Christmas. Resurrection Lutheran Church 85294 Highway 101 South (Located about 1 mile south of bridge). #ResurrectionLutheranChurchFlorence 541-997-7660 St. Mary, Our Lady of the Dunes Catholic Church Christmas Eve. Dec. 24 5:30 PM Mass Come Join Us in Celebration Christmas Day Dec. 25 Florence 11 AM Mass Reedsport St. John the Apostle Church 8:45 AM 9 A
