Wishbook

Crossroads Carnegie Art Center American Red Cross CASA Salvation Army Best Friends Read Every Day and Learn (REAL) Bandstand Project

About the Community Wishbook

2 — Friday, December 20, 2013

Although we live in a wonderful place, we are not immune from the effects of hunger, abuse, poverty and illiteracy in Union County. At this time of year The Observer gets many requests for free advertising from non-profits to solicit donations that will help organizations to answer those needs. This Christmas season, rather than is justforever, provide donated decided to take a ‘Christmas notadvertising, for justweone day, different approach.

Community Wishbook

for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away What you hold now is the result of a collaboration with United Way of Eastern Oregon and the like bells and in “wishes” some ofbox upon sponsorship of Legacy Ford.and Insidelights these pages youtinsel, will find the the many locala shelf. organizations who are working to feed the hungry, house those who have no home, shelter those goodandyou do our forchildren. others is good you do yourself. who are in dangerThe and educate entertain

— Norman Wesley Brooks

At a time when we celebrate with gifts for our family and friends, it’s our hope that you will also consider a gift to the local non-profit organization of your choice.

Kari Borgen, publisher The Observer

‘Tis the season to give

A

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,

lthough we live in a for free advertising from nondifferent approach. find the “wishes” of the many loforts loving, sharing,that giving, What are not to put wonderful place, we are profi to solicit donations you hold nowaway is the cal organizations that are worknot immune from the like will helpand organizations to answer of a collaboration bells lights and tinsel, result in some box uponwith a shelf. ing to feed the hungry, house effects of hunger, abuse, poverty The those needs.you do for others is United Way of Eastern Oregon those who have no home, good good you do yourself. and illiteracy in Baker County.

This Christmas season, rather and the sponsorship of Legacy shelter those who are in danger, --Norman Wesley Brooks At this time of year the Baker than just provide donated adFord. and educate and entertain our City Herald gets many requests vertising, we decided to take a Inside these pages you will children.

Please accept my donation of $______________________________ .

To: United Way of Eastern Oregon Funded agencies: American Red Cross, Blue Mtn. Council Boy Scouts of America, Union County CASA, Elgin Food Bank, Kid’s Club, Mayday, Mount Emily Safe Center, Neighbor to Neighbor Ministries, North Powder Food Bank, Shelter From the Storm, Union Community Food Bank, Union County Search and Rescue.

Mail to: UWEO, PO Box 862 La Grande, OR 97850 or donate online at: www.UWEO.org

To: _________________________________________________________ (find the name and address on pages 3 through 7) Please send my receipt for donation to: Name_________________________________________ Mailing address: ________________________________ _________________________________ Please mail your donation directly to the donor at the mailing address included on pages 3 through 7 of the 2013 Community Wishbook.

At a time when we celebrate with gifts for our family and friends, it’s our hope that you will also consider a gift to the local non-profit organization of your choice.

– Kari Borgen, publisher Baker City Herald PAGE 3 Salvation Army American Red Cross Compassion Center Community Connection PAGE 4 Food banks Open Door program CASA YMCA Rachel Center Marla’s Mall PAGE 5 Crossroads Art Center Baker Heritage Museum Ore.Trail Interpretive Center PAGE 6 Library and literacy Bandstand project PAGE 7 Community Concerts Backpack Program FEED Animal organizations

Friday, December 20, 2013 — 3

Community Wishbook

Food • Clothing • Distaster assistance Salvation Army ■ 2505 Broadway St., Baker City 97814 ■ 541-523-5853

Offers a variety of services to the public, including dispersal

of food, clothing and furniture through the social service program. They offer services for emergencies, back-to-school supplies, Christmas food baskets and youth programs.

American Red Cross ■ 1806 Cove Ave., La Grande 97850 ■ 541-962-0952 ■ A United Way Agency

The American Red Cross saves lives and rebuilds lives by

assisting victims of house fires and other disasters; teaching lifesaving first aid, water safety and CPR skills; and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Northeast Oregon Compassion Center ■ 1250 Hughes Lane, Baker City ■ 541-523-9845

Since 2000 the Compassion Center has been serving people in our community and surrounding areas who have a need – physical, emotional, relational or spiritual – regardless of their race, religion, or ability to pay.

Our services include: food and clothing, Christian caregiving, anger management, parenting classes, support groups, Cel-

ebrate Recovery, prison ministry, Learning to Change classes and many others.

The Compassion Center is a Faith Based 501(c)(3) non-profit that funds it’s mission primarily through donations and grants.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• $50 can buy one cord of wood or 50 dozen eggs • Right now the biggest need is helping provide heating sources in the form of firewood and propane bottles.

Coats for Kids ■ 3165 10th St., Baker City ■ 541-523-8418 ■ c/o donated funds

Donations of new coats and money to purchase coats help

keep local kids warm. Used coats are donated to Marla’s Mall.

Donations can be made to “Coats for Kids.”

Kathy Orr / Baker City Herald file photo

All the fixings for a hearty Christmas dinner and more are delivered annually to low-income families and individuals in Baker County. Holli Diamond-Montgomery, near left, Salvation Army employee, and two of the volunteers from the Baker City Christian Church, Jesse Whitford, center, and Jim Fuller helped prepare the December 2012 boxes. Baker City firefighters traditionally deliver food boxes before Christmas.

Community Connection of Baker County ■ 2810 Cedar St., Baker City ■ 541-523-6195 ■ www.ccno.org

The mission of Community Connection of Northeast Oregon is to advocate for and assist senior citizens, children, low-income persons and persons with disabilities in attaining basic human needs and in becoming more self-sufficient.

In Baker County, Community Connection is where senior

citizens can get a nutritious meal during weekdays, and also participate in social activities, such as exercise and games.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• $100 donation will provide an entire month of Meals on Wheels to a senior citizen. This group is one of the highest risk groups we serve, and the Meals on Wheels volunteers are sometimes their only connection with the outside world.

• $80 donation will help a family in a homeless situation with two nights of lodging until other arrangements can be made • $175 donation will sponsor an entree at our senior center meal site • $50 donation will provide a month of utility assistance for persons due to loss of a job, illness or other reasons. Our programs help prevent utility shut-off for people who are having difficulties.

4 — Friday, December 20, 2013

Community Wishbook

Food • Children’s Services Baker County CASA

Bread of Life food bank ■ 3453 H St., Baker City 97814 ■ Open the second and last Tuesday from 9 a.m. - noon ■ 541-523-5425 (Baker City Christian Church)

The Bread of Life food bank was started by Baker City Christian Church and also receives support from First Presbyterian Church. It is run by volunteers,

and people can come get a food box once a month. They help 150-170 families each month.

• Food donations — most needed items include peanut butter, canned meat, canned fruit, soup, cereal, toilet paper and soap.

• Monetary donations can be mailed to the Baker City Christian Church, 675 Hwy 7

Catholic Church food bank ■ 2235 First St., Baker City ■ 541-523-4521

Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon. Food is handed out in prepared boxes with a variety of food.

• Monetary donations help buy nonperishable food at a discount, as well as meat and

bread.

• Food donations — tuna, pasta, Hamburger Helper, chili with beans, pork and beans, canned fruit, canned veggies, soups, spaghetti sauce, cereal, peanut butter.

• Donations can be taken to the parish office during office hours.

Open Door ■ Baker Middle School ■ 1995 Fourth St., Baker City ■ 541-523-5201

The Open Door program provides a warm space and nutritious breakfast for students at Baker Middle School every day that school is in session. The number served is 40 to 50, and youth pastors from First Presby-

terian Church and the Church of the Nazarene provide a social environment while the teenagers hang out before school.

Monetary donations help the most, which enable volunteers to purchase food at the local grocery store to prepare the meals, which are planned ahead of time.

MayDay provides prevention and support services related to domestic violence, sexual assault and elder abuse. Services include

Baker County CASA and Union County CASA (CourtAppointed Special Advocates) are nonprofit organizations who

recruit, train and support local citizens to advocate for children in the court system who have been neglected and/or abused.

We are in great need of volunteers in both counties and we have a training on Jan. 10-11.

Marla’s Mall

YMCA ■ 3715 17th St., Baker City ■ 541-523-9622 ■ www.bakerymca.org

With a mission to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all, our impact is felt when an individual makes a healthy choice, when a mentor inspires a child and when a community comes together for the common good.

• Donations of $35 to $50 support sports scholarships for children

• $25 helps provide training manual/supplies for one volunteer • $50 helps provide resources for yearly continuing education for one volunteer • $100 helps support a volunteer for one month who advocates for a child

■ North Baker School ■ 2527 Seventh St., Baker City ■ 541-524-2309 ■ Hours: 9-11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday and afternoons by appointment until 4:30 p.m.

We provide a work experience opportunity for high

school students while providing free clothing and other items to those in need. Donations are gratefully accepted anytime and items can be left by the door. Cash donations are used for purchasing hygiene items and other items (such as coats) that are needed.

Rachel Center ■ 2192 Court Ave., Baker City ■ 541-523-5357

The Rachel Center offers help to pregnant women, families, grandparents and caregivers — anyone who needs extra assistance caring

for young children. The center has children’s clothing in all sizes and helps provide diapers and formula.

The center is faith-based and relies on donations and volunteers to operate.

Halfway Lions Club food bank

MayDay ■ 1834 Main St., Baker City ■ 541-523-9472

■ 1995 Third St. Suite 900, Baker City ■ 541-403-0405

a 24-hour crisis line, classes for victims, prevention programs and more.

Needs: food, clothing, personal hygiene items, toilet paper, school supplies.

■ 235 Lion St., Halfway ■ P.O. Box 693, Halfway ■ Dick Crow, 541-742-6192

This food bank is open once a month, usually the third Monday, from noon to 1 p.m.

That same day, early, Lions Club members drive to La Grande to pick up the food. Each

month the food bank helps 45 to 50 families from Halfway, Richland and down to Oxbow and Brownlee areas.

It is funded by donations and fundraisers.

• Monetary donations can help purchase the food or help the Lions pay for fuel expenses.

Each trip to La Grande, the Lions pays $160 to $170 for food and $55 for fuel.

Friday, December 20, 2013 — 5

Community Wishbook

Art • History • Museums National Historic Ore. Trail Interpretive Center ■ 22267 Oregon Hwy 86, Baker City ■ PO Box 987 ■ 541-523-1843 ■ 541-523-1832 ■ www.blm.gov/or/ oregontrail/ ■ www.trailtenders.org

Trail Tenders Inc. provides volunteer support for programs and special events at the Center, manages the Oregon Trail Shop, and also raises funds for facility enhancements, exhibits, educational and interpretive programs.

The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center at Flagstaff Hill brings to life aspects of the Oregon

Trail experience through living history demonstrations, interpretive programs, exhibitions, and special events.

BLACKSMITH SHOP

Blacksmithing demonstrations have been so popular that the Trail Tenders have decided to build a permanent interpretive site — a blacksmithing shop near the outdoor mill house mining interpretive site. They have volunteer blacksmiths lined up, equipment, and are now working to raise $30,000 to build a historic style structure.

Other donation ideas can be found on the Trail Tenders’ website.

Baker Heritage Museum ■ 2480 Grove St., Baker City ■ 541-523-9308 ■ www. bakerheritagemuseum. com

The mission of the Baker Heritage Museum is to conserve artifacts of historical Baker County, to educate the public about the development of the area, and to preserve local archives and to make them available for research.

It is also one of Baker County’s premier tourist destinations. Your support is

critical to its operation.

S. John Collins/ Baker City Herald

• A gift of $50 could provide sponsorship for a child to attend Kid’s Camp • $100 would support consumable supplies like copy paper or postage • $200 would repair or even acquire a new local wildlife specimen for the wildlife habitat • The big item on the museum’s list is a museum quality Nilfisk vacuum for the preservation of artifacts, estimated cost $1,900.

Paul Hoelscher works with students in the afterschool program called ArtSpeak at Crossroads Carnegie Art Center.The center will soon offer another program for kids called Art/Write.

Crossroads Carnegie Art Center ■ 2020 Auburn Ave. ■ 541-523-5369 ■ www.crossroads-art.org

Crossroads has received a challenge from the Herbert Templeton Foundation, which will award a $6,000 grant if Crossroads can raise $2,000 from the community.

However, the money must

come from new donors, or people who have not donated to Crossroads in the last two years.

This grant will fund the new Art/Write afterschool program that will be offered at Baker Middle School and South Baker Intermediate School.

Those who make a $50 donation toward the challenge — in

honor of Crossroads’ 50th year — will receive an honorary one-year membership to Crossroads.

Current members or regular donors who make a $50 donation will help support the Handto-Heart scholarship fund, which ensures that art is accessible to everyone, no matter their financial situation.

6 — Friday, December 20, 2013

Community Wishbook

Library • Literacy • Community Baker County Library District ■ 2400 Resort St., Baker City ■ 541-523-6419 ■ bakerlib.org

S. John Collins/ Baker City Herald

The Book Giveaway at Brooklyn Primary offers Jason Gross, right, the opportunity to stock up on good reading material.

A fast, easy way to donate needed items to the Baker County Library District is through our Amazon Wish Lists. The Baker County Public Library is not always able to buy enough copies of books or videos to satisfy demand or have enough materials for our children’s programs. Now you can help fill gaps in our collection, enhance our Story Time & craft programs, or shorten the waiting lists for yourself and others by using Amazon Wish Lists.

Go to www.amazon.com/

wishlist and search for Baker County Library. We have several different wishlists to choose from, including: adult and young adult books, movies, children’s books and movies, children’s craft supply lists, library supplies, Story Time props and Story Time puppets.

When choosing an item to donate, please click on either add to cart or pre-order. Make sure you don’t click on “XX Used & New” as items from non-Amazon sellers may not be shipped to the Library. Also, make sure you select the Baker County Library address for shipping. It automatically defaults to your address lists on file, with BCLD being the choice directly

to the right of your default address.

Click on the desired item and order just as you would place an order for yourself. To be the first one to borrow your gift item, just use the gift message to enter your name, library card number and the words FIRST LOAN. The item is mailed directly to the Main Library in Baker City and you will receive an acknowledgement for tax purposes when it has been processed.

To learn about dedicating a book in someone’s honor or memory — or making a cash donation — please visit the Support page on our website www. bakerlib.org/support.

REAL ■ 2400 Resort St., Baker City ■ 541-523-6419 ■ Jim Tomlinson, Literacy coordinator, 541-519-4740

REAL (Read Everyday And Learn) is a program of the Baker County Community Literacy Coalition (BCCLC), which has the mission to promote literacy in Baker County. For the current school year, the Literacy Program serves more than 900 children from preschool to grade 6.

Forty volunteers — adults and high schoolers — read with children one-on-one, in groups and in afterschool homework clubs.

REAL gives away books three

times a year, totaling about 2,500 books kids can take home. These are funded by grants and donations.

Last summer, volunteers also read with children before the free summer lunch program offered

by Baker School District.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

• Volunteer to read for 30 to 60 minutes, once per week, at one of the elementary schools.

• Donations: $12 will pay for one student’s books for the year (three giveaways, and the books cost $4 each). A class sponsorship for a one-time book giveaway is $100.

Build a Bandstand ■ 2545 College St., Baker City ■ Checks can be made to Soroptimist Internationl of Baker County, the Bandstand’s nonprofit partner — note “Bandstand” in the memo line — and mailed to the above address

Mission: To enrich the vibrancy of our community and enhance the experience of visitors to Baker City, we will build

a multi-use, permanent bandstand/performance pavilion in Geiser Pollman Park. This facility will accommodate cultural, musical, educational, recreational and civic functions and events throughout the year.

The goal is to have the pavilion built during the summer of 2014.

WAYS TO HELP

You can purchase an en-

graved brick or plaque that will be incorporated into the bandstand construction.

• $60 — 4-inch-by-8-inch brick • $300 — 8-inch-by-8-inch brick • $1,000 — 12-inch-by-12-inch pillar base tile • $10,000 — 14-inch-by-20inch pillar plaque • $20,000 - $40,000 - $60,000 — 18-inch portal medallion

Friday, December 20, 2013 — 7

Community Wishbook

Music • Kids • Pets

Baker Community Concerts Association ■ Baker Community Concerts ■ P.O. Box 1114, Baker City ■ 541-523-4600 ■ mcubedb@hotmail.com ■ bakercommunityconcerts. com

The Baker Community Concerts has been providing the area with quality live entertainment for 59 years.

Each of our artists is carefully chosen to provide the highest quality entertainment available to the community of Baker City.

The artists have appeared at Carnegie Hall, on Broadway, at major sporting events and have won prestigious awards

worldwide. We seek to provide a great entertainment value while supporting the arts in our community. Many of our chosen artists provide student outreach performances and master classes as well.

Each season features five concerts.

SUPPORT

Season memberships: • $60 adults • $25 students • $150 family Single ticket prices per concert: • $25 adult • $15 student

Backpack Program ■ 1995 Fourth St., Baker City ■ 541-523-5201 (First Presbyterian Church)

The Backpack Program is a way to ensure local students

have access to nutritious food throughout the weekend.

Backpacks are filled with food and distributed to students at schools within the Baker School District.

Best Friends of Baker Inc. ■ P.O. Box 183, Baker City ■ 541-519-7387, 541-519-4350 ■ www.bestfriendsofbaker.org

Best Friends, which fosters pets until an adoptive home can be found, says their most urgent need right now is foster homes for cats that have been dumped in the cold.

Best Friends also provides dog or cat food to help low-income people keep their pets.

Donations help by: • $10 will buy one 5-pound bag of food • $25 will pay for first shots • $100 will spay or neuter a cat • $150 will spay or neuter a dog

New Hope for Eastern Oregon Animals ■ P.O. Box 146, Baker City ■ 541-403-2710 ■ www.newhopeforanimals.org

Mission: Improving life for all animals through kindness, understanding, and respect.

Vision: Animals & People living in Harmony Goals: Implement a program to rescue and rehabilitate dogs in Eastern Oregon by providing the means to correct behavioral deficiences, enabling them to become adoptable. Provide opportunities for inmates to

gain job skills in dog training. increase awareness of animal well-being by encouraging and fostering a caring and safe environment. Promote spaying and neutering of companion and feral animals.

POWDER PALS PROGRAM

Powder Pals is a cooperative program between New Hope and the Oregon Department of Corrections Powder River Correctional Facility in Baker City in which inmates train dogs to correct behavioral deficiencies,

FEED ■ Donations should be sent to the Episcopal Church, PO Box 1146, Baker City, OR 97814

FEED is composed of interested individuals in Baker County who meet monthly to discuss ways to mitigate hunger in Baker County with an emphasis on children.

FEED started at the First Presbyterian Church a few years ago with the development of the Open Door program and

Backpack Program.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church provides food to needy people via bountiful baskets and bread donations to the middle school and other churches. In the past the Episcopal Church has also provided food to the Salvation Army, Head Start, and Department of Human Services. Volunteers locate surplus bread in the community and take it to the church every week. The bread is then donated to various groups.

Pine-Eagle United Youth Fund ■ P.O. Box 653, Halfway, OR 97834

The Pine Eagle United Youth Fund is to provides worthwhile fundraising opportunities to local youth groups by developing, funding and administering community projects.

In exchange for working on community projects youth groups are given grants by the Youth Fund which they can then use for their own purposes. Project grants may range from $40 for a small project to $1,000 for a large continuing project.

including dogs that have been neglected and abused.

This gives an otherwise difficult-to-place dog, often facing euthanasia, a chance for a future and placement into a loving home.

Donations can help: • $10 provides treats for a Powder Pals dog for a month • $35 feeds a Powder Pals dog for a month • $45 provides a dog with a microchip ID • $200 pays emergency medical for a dog

Mollie Atwater ■ P.O. Box 402, Baker City

Our mission is to reduce the number of unwanted and homeless cats and dogs in Baker County and North Powder and improve the quality of life for these animals, the community and wildlife.

MAF focuses on providing financial assistance for spaying/neutering of companion dogs and cats in Baker County and North Powder and feral cats in Baker County (except within Baker City limits) and in North Powder and on increasing community awareness of the benefits of spaying/neutering. Fund contributes $35 toward surgery for a male cat, $50 for a female cat, and $55 for a dog. There is currently a waiting list.

8 — Friday, December 20, 2013

LEGACY FORD LINCOLN

2906 Island Ave., La Grande 541-963-2161

Community Wishbook

LEGACY CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM 10705 Island Ave., Island City 541-962-7099