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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 16, 2020)
COMMUNITY A6 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 Altrusa fi nds ways to make a difference By TAMMY MALGESINI FOR THE HERMISTON HERALD Guidelines imposed because of COVID-19 have altered how people work, socialize and participate in recreational activities. Stay home orders, social dis- tancing and restrictions on group gatherings have also changed how people engage in service organizations and volunteer activities. This is the fi rst story in series for the Hermiston Herald that will highlight how area ser- vice clubs and groups have responded to the pandemic. As summer winds down each year, members of Altrusa International of Hermiston are typically gearing up for their annual fundraiser. However, the novel coronavirus has dis- rupted normal plans and the group was forced to cancel this year’s Altrusa Auction. According to club pres- ident Stephanie Hughes, Altrusa is an international nonprofi t organization that strives to make local com- munities better through lead- ership, partnership and ser- vice. The Hermiston club, she said, offers an opportu- nity to make a real differ- ence in Hermiston and the smaller neighboring towns of Echo, Irrigon, Stanfi eld and Umatilla. “We undertake a variety of service, literacy, fundrais- ing and international proj- ects each year,” Hughes said. Altrusans have appreci- ated the generosity of the community for the past four Photo contributed by Stephanie Hughes Altrusa’s members met with masks on and over video chat during their most recent club meeting in Hermiston. decades, as their annual auc- tion event raises money to support a variety of proj- ects throughout the year. The club has provided sup- port to such organizations as the Hermiston Warming Station, Made to Thrive and the American Red Cross, as well as encouraging read- ing through its Little Red Library project, assisting middle school girls as they transition to high school during their Girls Night In program, and provid- ing scholarships for area residents seeking higher education. With the auction serv- ing as the club’s only annual fundraiser, Altrusans are tapping into creative ways to raise money and continue to help meet needs in the com- munity. Finding ways to do that in the current situation, Hughes said, is a bit diffi cult — but not impossible. “We are a hands-on vol- unteer project organiza- tion,” she said. “Being out in the public and helping with what is needed has been something we strive for and always look forward to.” Club members, Hughes said, are looking at dif- ferent forms of fundrais- ing. In addition to recently establishing a BottleDrop account, they are learn- ing how to write grants and are looking into a “Donate Now” button on their Face- book page. Hughes expressed appre- ciation to individuals and businesses who have already responded by making dona- tions. As a nonprofi t organi- zation, she reminds people that fi nancial gifts are tax deductible. “At our auctions in the past, we have had amazing donors of items as well as participants in the bidding and purchasing,” Hughes said. “We are hopeful that some of those folks and oth- ers will be able to donate funds, or items when we do drives for the community.” The international ser- vice organization celebrated its centennial in 2017. The Hermiston club was orga- nized May 14, 1977, and currently has 35 members living locally. As a result of the pan- demic, the general member- ship has been meeting virtu- ally. However, Hughes said many of the committees are small enough to utilize social distancing and meet in person. “We have a committee that is focused on member- ship engagement and cele- brations,” she said. “They fi gured out how to honor our birthdays and anniversa- ries with special no contact delivery. So, we are trying to do what we can.” Club members repre- sent varying occupations and lifestyles, Hughes said. Each member possesses a shared interest in commu- nity service and enjoys the friendship, fun and satisfac- tion that comes from work- ing together for the benefi t of others. “We are always seeking new volunteers to join our organization and make a dif- ference,” Hughes said. “We are looking for projects and new members to help us overcome and grow.” On the horizon, the club is looking at helping with a room at Martha’s House. In addition, they will continue to keep books in the little libraries, award scholarships and provide help where they are able. In celebration of Altru- sa’s Make a Difference Day — Saturday, Oct. 24 — club members will be on hand at Little Red Library sites from 1-2 p.m. at Belt Park, Sunset Park and Greenwood Park, all in Hermiston. The public is invited to enjoy ice cream bars, receive free books and learn more about Altrusa. For more information, email hermistonaltrusa@ gmail.com, call Hughes at 541-720-9769 or visit www.facebook.com/Altru- saInternationalOfHermis- ton. A Zoom link is avail- able for virtual meetings, which are the fi rst and third Thursday of each month at noon. Donations can be sent to: Altrusa International of Hermiston, P.O. Box 794, Hermiston, OR 97838. WORSHIP COMMUNITY Boardman food pantry off to a good start By JADE MCDOWELL NEWS EDITOR A year full of disasters fi nally got the ball rolling on Boardman’s fi rst food pantry for residents in need. The project has blos- somed rapidly since it began in March. “We went from a closet full of donated food in March to over $150,000 in mid-September,” Anna Browne said. Browne, Oregon State University Extension’s open campus coordinator in Uma- tilla and Morrow counties, said she didn’t think the pantry would exist today if it hadn’t been for the pan- demic. Boardman received a $4,325 grant from the Ore- gon Food Bank in 2018, but talks about how to use the money had stalled until plummeting employment numbers in March spurred community members into action. An employee of Colum- bia River Health voiced con- cerns about people needing food, First Baptist Church of Boardman volunteered to start handing it out and the Oregon Food Bank gave its blessing for the grant to go toward that effort. Browne lent her expertise to help the new pantry gain offi - cial nonprofi t status and cre- ate a board and bylaws. The health clinic donated shelv- ing. Local farms and food processors like Tillamook, Lamb Weston and Threemile Canyon Farms began donat- ing food, along with individ- uals and other churches. The donations really took off, however, a severe wind storm in May caused signif- icant damage in Boardman, including mobile homes Staff photo by Ben Lonergan Samantha Weiss fi lls boxes at the Boardman Food Pantry in the First Baptist Church of Boardman on Monday, Sept, 14, 2020. destroyed by falling trees in Wilson Road Mobile Home Park. Oregon Food Bank responded with 102 emer- gency food boxes and three additional pallets of food. Later, Amazon Web Ser- vices donated $25,000 to the pantry, and the Mor- row County Board of Com- missioners recently voted to use $100,000 of its CARES Act funding to help the pan- try purchase a permanent location (Browne said they believe they have found a suitable building but it is not fi nalized yet). Mary Killion, board chair for the pantry, said she was thrilled to see how much the pantry was already serving residents in need. “This is the most exciting thing I think I’ve ever been a part of,” she said. “The vol- unteers are committed, and they have made it so easy, and everyone has been so supportive, I feel like I can’t take any credit.” More than 100 house- holds are being served every week, through picking up food at the church or hav- ing it delivered if they don’t have transportation, are sick or are worried about their risks for COVID-19. Food is available for pickup from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mon- days, and Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. “We are getting new faces every week from peo- ple that just heard about us. We don’t get the same peo- ple every week, because people are trying to make it on their own. I believe that with all my heart,” Killion said. Shara Wiess of First Bap- tist Church of Boardman said people in the commu- nity have been extremely supportive. The fi rst round of food came from a woman whose husband had recently died, and she used a portion of the life insurance check to shop for food for the pantry. “People (receiving the free food) have asked what they can do for the church — can they clean? Can they pull weeds?” she said. Boardman residents were previously able to go pick up food at Irrigon’s food pan- Here for you when you need us. 565 W. HERMISTON AVE. DAILY MASS: Monday-Friday .......................................... English 7:00 am Thursday ....................................................Spanish 6:00 pm SATURDAY:.............................................. English 5:00 pm ....................................................................Spanish 7:00 pm SUNDAY:................................................... English 9:00 am ................................................................Bilingual 11:00 am ....................................................................Spanish 1:00 pm Office..................................................................... 567-5812 LANDMARK BAPTIST CHURCH 125 E. Beech Ave. • 567-3232 Pastor David Dever First Christian Church “Proclaiming the Message of Hope, Living the Gospel of Love” Sunday School...9:15 am Sun. Bible Classes...................10:00am Sun. Worship Service..............11:00am Sun. Evening Worship..............6:00pm Wed. Prayer & Bible Study......6:00pm Children’s Church 10:45 am www.hermistonlmbc.com 775 W. Highland Ave., Hermiston St. Johns Episcopal Church Join Us Us Join On Our Journey With Jesus. Join us on ZOOM 9:00 AM Sunday Email: chuckb@eotnet.net for link N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston PH: 567-6672 We are an all inclusive Church who welcomes all. Worship Service...10:30 am 567-3013 NEW BEGINNINGS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Worship Service 10:30 AM Sunday School 9:00 AM Pastor J.C. Barnett Children’s Church & Nursery Available 700 West Orchard Avenue P.O. Box 933 Hermiston, Oregon 541-289-4774 Seventh-day Adventist Church Saturdays Sabbath School........9:30 a.m. Worship Service......11:00 a.m. English & Spanish Services 567-8241 Hermiston Jr. Academy 1300 NW Academy Lane, • Hermiston Hard times happen. If they do, ask us about payment assistance and billing options available to you. Discover more at: www.UmatillaElectric.com Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church Hermiston Office Boardman Office 750 W. Elm Ave. Hermiston, OR 97838 (541) 567-6414 400 N.E. Eldrige Drive Boardman, OR 97818 (541) 481-2220 TURNING 65? Confused about Medicare? Get answers from a trusted local resource! Call me for a complimentary PERSONAL CONSULTATION today! JOSH GOLLER 125 SE 7th St., Hermiston, OR 541-289-7261 www.simmonshealthinsurance.partners To share your worship times call 541-278-2678
