SIUSLAW NEWS | WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021 | 3A
Community News
Rhodes honored by Last Resort Players
K
evin Rhodes, recently
retired director of the
Florence Events Center, was
recognized for his accom-
plishments in that role on
July 21, by the Last Resort
Players (LRP), resident the-
ater troupe of the event cen-
ter. Here he is pictured with
LRP board members from
2020-21.
“With our deepest appre-
ciation and gratitude, Last
Resort Players hereby salutes
Kevin Rhodes with a stand-
ing ovation for his dedicated
and tireless service to the arts
at the Florence Events Cen-
ter from 1996 to 2020,” said
LRP Board Member Annie
Schmidt.
Rhodes oversaw the growth
and development of the FEC
for nearly 20 years before his
retirement in 2020.
This was the first in-per-
son meeting of LRP since the
lifting of COVID restrictions.
The group wanted to recog-
nize the work done by Rhodes
as soon as it was safe for the
recipient, his family and the
many volunteer well-wishers
Rhodes has inspired over the
years to participate in the cer-
emony.
“I think that of all the peo-
ple present, I’m the only one
who has seen Kevin through
his complete tenure at the
FEC,” Schmidt said. “I have
found him to be unfailingly
helpful, considerate and un-
flappable. He’s been absolute-
ly terrific to work with.”
For more information, fol-
low Last Resort Players on
Facebook.
By Mark Brennan
Siuslaw News
Latter-day Saints deliver 40,000 lbs. of food to local food shares
On July 21, Florence and
Mapleton food share pan-
tries were the recipients of a
large donation of staple food
products from the Florence
Ward of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The delivery is part of an on-
going effort by members of
wards nationwide to support
the communities where they
live and others, during this
time of uncertainty and for
many, food insecurity.
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Story & Photos
By Mark Brennan
Siuslaw News
The Florence Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Florence Rotary Club worked with
volunteers on July 21 to donate food to the Florence and Mapleton food shares.
Larry Farnsworth, a bish-
op of the Florence Ward, was
on hand to coordinate the
delivery of tons of food to
the two food share locations.
These were a just a small part
of the more than 1,000 simi-
lar projects in 152 countries.
“The far-flung effort to
help America’s food banks
during the COVID-19 pan-
demic is now the biggest
humanitarian project in the
history of the church. Flor-
ence Food Share and Maple-
ton Food Share are receiv-
ing their second delivery,
sharing a truck loaded with
40,000 pounds of food need-
ed by local residents,” Farn-
sworth said.
The local efforts were as-
sisted by members of the
Florence Rotary Club and
food share volunteers.
“We are grateful that we
can support local charitable
efforts to help those who are
food insecure and hungry,”
Farnsworth said.
Food donations are only
part of the work being done
by the church to provide
support to local communi-
ties as they have also com-
mitted to provide a large
number of COVID vaccines
and tangential support to
fight the pandemic across
the globe.
According to Farnsworth,
“The church’s humanitari-
an projects include giving
monetary support to promi-
nent global COVID vaccina-
tion partners to procure and
deliver vaccinations, moni-
tor diseases and respond to
outbreaks. For example $20
million has been committed
to support UNICEF’s global
vaccination efforts.”
‘Art for the Animals’ to benefit Oregon Coast Humane Society
On July 31, The Cottage
Preschool, 1665 Highway
101 in Florence, will hold
its first annual “Art for the
Animals” event to sup-
port the animals at Oregon
Coast Humane Society. Stu-
dents from the preschool
and community have been
busy making art for several
months to sell. The money
raised will be donated by
the children to support their
furry friends at the Humane
Society.
Chalice Carkhuff, founder
and director of The Cottage
Preschool, is thrilled to be
able to support the commu-
nity’s lost and neglected ani-
mals.
“I hope our annual Art
for the Animals continues
to grow for generations to
come,” she said. “I am so
grateful to be teaching our
young to love and care for
animals. It makes my heart
happy.”
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JULY 28
JULY 29
Oregon Coast Humane
Society Executive Director
Elizabeth Thompson is also
inspired by the children’s
commitment to helping ani-
mals.
“We are seeing the next
generation of animal rescue
superheroes growing up right
before our eyes. What a tes-
tament to their families and
support systems that helping
animals is important at such
an early age,” she said.
Thompson has had a sneak
peek at the art, and is im-
pressed with the talent of the
budding artists.
“We are so grateful for the
children’s support, and I can’t
wait to buy some new art for
my office. It will be hard to
decide with so many great
pieces available, especially
since the money goes to sup-
port my favorite friends —
the animals!”
In addition to the children’s
art sale, Just Ice will have
its shaved ice truck onsite
and there will be activities
for kids. The free event runs
from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at
The Cottage Preschool.
Oregon Coast Humane
Society is a nonprofit, limit-
ed intake shelter promoting a
lifetime commitment to pets.
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