By Kristine Thomas and Brenna Wiegand
Community isn’t a “like” on Facebook, Cate Tennyson said. And, it’s more than homes clustered in a neighborhood. A member of the Silverton Grange, Tennyson believes “community is joining with other people to accomplish something.”
“It’s feeling good about working together with others and making a difference,” she added. “Community is knowing your neighbors and doing things together to benefit your community.”
In Mount Angel, Scotts Mills and Silverton, there are organizations whose members make things happen – from volunteering for community events to organizing a parade to raising money for schools.
Several people interviewed said it is the responsibility of each citizen to participate in their community in some way and give back.
“A good community doesn’t just happen,” Tennyson said. “It takes the involvement of many people giving their time and energy.”
Tennyson encourages people to find a group they are interested in and attend a meeting. “When you are there, see if it clicks,” she said. “Find an organization that makes you feel at home.”
Silverton resident Chuck White has volunteered for several organizations, including the Silver Fox Foundation. He said it is a challenge to put a value on the satisfaction he gets from being involved in a project and seeing it come to fruition. Civic group participation is about building relationships and giving back to your community, he added.
And, while the buzz may be about networking on social media, there is still something about doing business with the person who volunteers or serves with you on a civic, community or religious organization with you, he said.
“The actual face-to-face relationships that develop between people working together is what makes Silverton and Mount Angel unique,” White said.
Monica Bochsler serves on the board of the Mount Angel Oktoberfest and is one of its 7,500 volunteers. “Our biggest reward is the ability to work with a good team all going in the same direction,” Bochsler said.
Christy Seiler teaches kindergarten at Saint Mary’s Elementary School. She has kids in middle and high school and is president of the JFK Booster Club. She said recruiting volunteers and coordinating them into a force for change takes a clear mission and relevant goals, solid partnerships and a tremendous amount of communication. While a website, e-mail and the school district’s “all-call” system are indispensable; there’s no substitute for the personal touch.
“An invitation is huge,” Seiler said.
Judy Schmidt of Silverton Health said volunteering is good for one’s health, building unity, broadening horizons and creating friendships.
“By volunteering or joining a civic organization, it creates an awareness of things happening in your community and gives you a deeper appreciation for all the people who do so much,” Schmidt said.
The Scotts Mills Community Club board consists of president Niki Barber, her sister-in-law and her niece, with the club’s founders – her parents and her in-laws – in the wings. Every week, they give out food boxes and host informal community coffee times. “We do it to help the community,” Barber said. “And the reward is our great community. We don’t really recruit volunteers – they just seem to show up. We’re a tight knit community and everybody just knows what’s happening; I love it!”
Jim Hall has been on the Mount Angel Community Foundation board since its inception and active at Saint Mary’s Church the past 30 years. “A big part of a smaller town is that we each have a role to step up and play in sharing our talents and abilities to make things better,” he said.
When civic organizations seek members or volunteers, it is helpful to explain why their cause is worthwhile, what the vision is and what the end results will be. Below, Our Town presents a sampling of the organizations serving our communities and information on how to contact them.
SILVERTON AREA ORGANIZATIONS
Formed: The Kiwanis Club has been a driving force in Silverton since 1963 in improving the quality of life in our community, especially for children.
Mission: “Serving the Children of the World” as part of a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.
Community involvement: Members annually participate in more than 70 community service activities. Projects include the Silverton Pet Parade, Community Prayer Breakfast, Kiwanis Terrific Kids citizen program, Every Child A Swimmer, Letters to Santa, Silverton High School Key Club, scholarships for local graduates, Angel of Hope Remembrance Ceremony and Kiwanis Children’s Cancer Program at Doernbecher Hospital.
Meets: Thursdays, 7 a.m.
O’Brien’s Cafe, 105 N. Water St., Silverton
Membership criteria: If you live or work in the Silverton area, feel free to join us – as a visitor and guest to learn more.
Contact: Randal Thomas at [email protected]; 503-873-1989; or www.facebook.com/silvertonkiwanis
Formed: Chartered in 1936, the Silverton Rotary Club is a chapter of Rotary International.
Mission: “Service Above Self.” A volunteer organization, Rotary members are dedicated to providing humanitarian service, promoting high ethical standards, building good will, sharing in fellowship, and working for peace throughout the world.
Community involvement: Silver Falls YMCA, Silver Falls School District, Mount Angel School District, Silverton Fire, Silverton Police, Zenith Club Tree of Giving, Silverton Area Community Aid, Senior Fix up Project, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, Silverton Strawberry Festival and Homer Davenport Days. Silverton Rotary supports Silverton High School by awarding scholarships and sponsoring student activities and programs.
Meets: The first, third and fourth Monday of the month – except on national holidays – at noon at Silverton Hospital’s Health Resources Center and the second Monday of each month at Seven Brides Brewery.
Membership criteria: Dues are $50 per quarter plus lunches. Silverton Rotary offers membership to men and women who are willing to dedicate themselves to the ideals of Rotary and who are willing to commit to “Service Above Self.”
Contact person: Beth Davisson, membership chair; silvertonrotary.org
Formed: 1953
Mission: To promote Silverton by providing proactive leadership, supporting businesses, supplying information and serving visitors and bringing the community together for celebration and constructive discussion of important issues.
Community involvement: Sponsors and organizes First Citizen Banquet, coordinates the Christmas tree lighting, serves as point of contact for Homer Davenport Days; takes an active role in promoting community events; offers monthly speakers at a luncheon, advocates at the local and state level; hosts weekly business networking meetings; sponsors First Friday, operates Silverton Visitors Center and serves as welcome committee for tourist groups and tourists.
Meets: The Silverton Chamber Business Group meets Wednesdays, 8 a.m. at the Silverton Inn & Suites, 310 S. Water St. The Chamber board of directors meet the second Friday of the month, 7 a.m., at the Silverton Community Center, 421 S. Water St. Meetings are open to public.
Membership criteria: Open to individuals and businesses. Membership dues vary. Volunteers are needed to staff Visitor’s Center, staff committees and work on projects.
Contact: Stacy Palmer, executive director, 503-873-5615
Formed: 1938, celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2013
Mission: Silverton Lions Club members volunteer for humanitarian causes in the Silverton area and the world community. The Lions’ motto is “We Serve.” The Lions Club is known worldwide for its service to the blind and visually impaired. A majority of the world’s eye banks are established and supported by Lions Clubs, as are hundred of clinics, hospitals and eye research centers. Locally, the Silverton Lions Club has helped with free quality eye care, eyeglasses and hearing exams.
Community events: The Silverton Lions Club members built the kitchen and pole building at Coolidge-McClaine Park. During Homer Davenport Days, it puts on the Community Breakfast. Other projects include helping those in need with eye and hearing care and supplies; assisting with the Silver Falls Public Library; cleaning up trash along highway with the Boy Scouts; selling See’s Candy in November and December, helping with Free Fish Day; providing scholarships for Silverton High School students
Meets: First and third Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., Silverton Hospital Birthing Center Conference Room.
Membership criteria: By invitation. If you are interested in being a Lions member, ask a member to sponsor you.
Contact: Jon DeBo, 503-932-7699, or visit the website at www.silvertonor.com/silvertonlions
Formed: 1962 in Silverton; 1890s nationally
Mission: Serve the people and communities through benevolent programs demonstrating that “Elks Care – Elks Share.”
Community involvement includes: Easter Egg Hunt, Breakfast with Santa, food booths at Homer Days and Oktoberfest, Veteran’s Dinner in November; Drug Awareness programs; Silverton Elks Youth Fund includes 10 scholarships and supports youth activities including Hoop Shoot and Little League baseball. Gives grants to First Christian Church for its free Wednesday night dinners; Silverton Area Community Aid; ASAP middle school program and North Santiam School Project. In December, it hosts the Purple Ball with the money going to food banks in Silverton, Mount Angel and Stayton. Supports Elks Children’s Eye Clinic at Casey Eye Institute at OHSU and Meadowood Springs Speech and Hearing Camp.
Meets: Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. During July and August there is one meeting a month. Silverton Elks Lodge, 300 High St., 503-873-4567
Membership criteria: Members must be of good standing, believe in God and be an American citizen. Must be sponsored by a member.
Contact: Darrel Brown, 503-949-1037
Formed: 1927 the local chapter opened
Mission: To conserve, maintain, protect and restore the soil, forest, water and other natural resources for the United States and other lands. To promote means and opportunities for the education of the public with respect to such resources for their enjoyment and wholesome utilization.
Community projects and events: Sponsors Earth Day at The Oregon Garden and Free Fish Day at the Silverton Reservoir. Hosts two stream clean-ups – for 2014 the first is on April 12 and the second in October. Supports the Robert Frost Community Garden. Provides two $500 scholarships to graduating Silverton seniors, hosts an essay contest for sixth-grade students at Robert Frost. Works with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Bureau of Land Management on projects and has an active role in the state Legislature promoting wildlife issues.
Meets: The third Saturday of the month at 3 p.m., O’Brien’s Cafe, 105 N. Water St., Silverton
Membership criteria: An interest in the outdoors. There are many different volunteer activities from writing letters to helping organize the stream clean-up. Families and individuals welcome.
Contact: Dawn Olson, 503-873-2681, or www.iwla.org
Formed: Founded in 1867, the Grange is the nation’s oldest farm organization and supports community, agriculture and education. The Silverton Grange was chartered in 1935.
Mission: “We believe we are important as a community builder and we partner with other nonprofit organizations to do work in the community.” Members are especially concerned with promoting a sustainable community and local economy and believe local farmers and food producers are critical to that goal.
Community service include: Martin Luther King Potluck Jan. 20; provides a meeting space for nonprofit groups; hosts a Saturday Market on the first Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for people who are selling artisan foods to handcrafted items; beginning a partnership with Silverton Area Community Aid to promote and provide healthy food choices; has a community garden; members offer a variety of classes. Advocates for sustainable agriculture and participatory democracy.
Meets: First Sunday of the month, 5 p.m. with a potluck and 6 p.m. at Grange Hall, 201 Division St.
Membership criteria: Everyone welcome
Contact: Cate Tennyson at 503-510-2253 or email [email protected]
Formed: Parents, educators and community boosters created the nonprofit Silver Fox Foundation in 1984.
Mission: To complement, assist and strengthen existing or planned programs relating to athletic, school and community activities within the boundaries of the Silver Falls School District. The organization addresses a variety of needs for youth in the Silverton community.
Community service/projects: Hosts two fundraisers – Silver Fox Golf Tournament the first weekend in August during Homer Davenport Days and a booth at Oktoberfest in September. Funds go to provide scholarships and to assist when schools and school organizations request funds including SHS athletic teams, SHS FBLA, Future Foxes Football, Silverton Chamber’s KIOSK project, SHS Boys and Girls State participants, Silverton Skate Park and Project Graduation. Also serves as an umbrella organization when a new nonprofit group is beginning including Silverton Alumni Association, Silverton Youth Basketball Association, youth football and Silverton Skatepark.
Meets: Quarterly. Upcoming meeting in February and annual meeting in May.
Membership criteria: Volunteers needed to help with fundraisers. Contact a board member to indicate an interest in volunteering.
Contacts: Chuck White, 503-580-1258, or Gene Oster, 503-932-4658
Formed: In 1959, a group of women started a coffee cart to raise funds for supplies for the hospital. The women also started the information desk to provide support to patients and families.
Mission: The Silverton Health Auxiliary is a nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to promote and advance the welfare of Silverton Health through methods approved by the governing board of the hospital.
Community service: Serve where needed throughout the hospital, sponsor, organize and develop fundraising projects; assist at American Red Cross blood drawings; serves at the gift shop, hospital information desk, coffee cart, family visitor lounge and CareVan transportation; conducts tours of hospital for school-age children; awards scholarships to high school seniors and college students interested in pursuing a medical career;
Meets: The auxiliary meets on the fourth Monday of the month except for May, which is the third Monday. No meetings are held in July, August and December.
Membership criteria: Membership is open to those who participate in the work of the auxiliary and pay the annual dues of $5.
Contact: Membership co-chairs Judy Schmidt, 503-873-1789, or Kay Seiler, 503-873-1786
Formed: 1974; museum opened in 1976
Mission: To discover and gather historical material illustrative of the history of the community, its life, conditions, events and activities. To provide for the preservation and use of such materials and sponsor research in archeological and historical areas. To foster the preservation of historical buildings, sites and monuments, to encourage the intelligent use of them. To conduct educational programs in the field of history through publications, meetings and the observance of historical anniversaries.
Projects: A war memorial for Town Square Park and preserving history. New members are needed as volunteers at the museum and to help with community events and fundraisers.
Meets: Third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. the Silverton Country Historical Museum, 428 S. Water St. The annual meeting for 2014 is Jan. 18 with the location to be announced. New officers will be elected and hosts are scheduled for the museum.
Membership criteria: Dues are $20 a year for a family. Application can be filled at the museum or on the website.
Contacts: Jan Wolfard Long, curator, Chris Schwab, secretary, 503-873-7070 or www.silvertonmuseum.com
Formed: 1969
Mission: To serve the community of Silverton.
Projects: Tree of Giving, with assistance from several community organizations. Layettes for newborns in need at Silverton Health. The group provides 100 layettes a year, with items including handmade blankets, newborn clothing and diapers. At least two scholarships of $500 each to a graduating seniors at Silverton High School. The group also assists in other community service projects. To raise funds, the club hosts a Bunco Night in April at the Silverton Elks Lodge for adults only and a Family Bingo Night in November.
Meets: The second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. in a member’s home.
Membership criteria: Open to women who are interested in community service. The dues are $35 a year.
Contact: President Linda Groah, 503-873-6930.
Formed: 1868, the Silverton Masonic Lodge celebrated its 145th anniversary in 2013.
Mission: Founded on the belief in a Supreme Being and tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth; composed of moral men committed to self-improvement, family values, and community involvement; supporting representative government, a free society, and public education and dedicated to perpetual fraternal service. Masons supported the first public schools in both Europe and America and joined together building castles and churches in Europe.
Projects: Activities include supporting education and youth programs, such as the eighth-grade speech contest. The group looks for ways to be active and give back to their community.
Meets: The second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the lodge, 110 S. Third St., Silverton
Membership criteria: To become a member, ask a member. Each member is carefully vetted.
Contact: John F. Lalickerat, 503-873-5822 or [email protected]. To learn more about Masons, visit the Oregon website at www.masonic-oregon.com
MOUNT ANGEL AREA ORGANIZATIONS
Mission: Enhance the business community and city through beautification efforts and events.
Projects: Maintains flower baskets and window boxes downtown; built the fountain; sponsors and organizes events: Wurstfest, Fourth of July parade and fireworks; First Citizens Banquet, Hazelnut Festival, Oktoberfest booth. Sponsors candidate nights and legislative forums.
Meets: First Wednesdays of the month, 5:30 p.m. at Mount Angel Festhalle, 500 S. Wilco Hwy.
Membership: Application on website; annual dues based on number of employees. Need not be a business to join.
Contact: www.mtangel.org; 503-845-9440
Formed: 1995
Mission: Facilitate funding and development of projects of an enduring nature that serve, enhance and enrich the greater community of Mount Angel.
Projects: Currently raising funds to complete Mount Angel Festhalle Phase 2 rooms and other amenities. Raise/facilitate funds for JFK scholarships, library building fund, flower baskets; the Glockenspiel tower; Mount Angel Festhalle Phase 1.
Meets: As needed.
Membership: Mount Angel Oktoberfest board appoints seven-member board. Ways to get involved: donate funds, goods and services; sponsor fundraisers and volunteer with various projects.
Contact: www.mtangelcommfnd.org; [email protected]; 503-845-6835
Formed: 1973
Mission: Provide low-income people with sight and hearing services and serve the community at large.
Projects: JFK High School scholarships, Saint Mary’s clothes closet, free vision, hearing and general health screenings. Collects used cell phones, eyeglasses and hearing aids – drop box at Mount Angel Telephone.
Meets: Board of Directors, second Tuesdays, noon, at Leona’s Restaurant; general membership third Tuesdays, noon, at Benedictine Shalom Prayer Center.
Membership: Application process; annual dues $75
Contact: 503-845-9842 or Maureen Ernst, 503-845-6208
Formed: 1966
Mission: Put on the annual Mount Angel Oktoberfest celebration and create a venue for many civic and non-profit organizations.
Projects: Help local nonprofits raise funds. As a whole, the non-profit booth holders have grossed more than $650,000 a year for the past three years. After covering Oktoberfest expenses, the festival board also grants dollars to worthy organizations.
“We give what we can and have fun doing it,” said Monica Bochsler a member of the Oktoberfest board of directors. “We throw a really great party and a really great fund raiser.”
Meets: General member meeting for 2014 is on Jan. 23, 6 p.m. at Mount Angel Festhalle, 500 S. Wilco Hwy.
Membership: Board positions by invitation; general members, $25 one-time fee. Associate members agree to be fully available Wednesday before the festival through the Monday after.
“…off work, no pay and spending those six days totally immersed in Oktoberfest, setting up, taking down, etc.,” Bochsler said. “We’re always looking for hardworking motivated individuals who want to be part of the festival.”
Contact: www.oktoberfest.org; 1-855-899-6338; [email protected] and Facebook
Formed: Late 1980s
Mission: Promote the Kennedy High School and Mount Angel Middle School athletic programs through volunteerism and financial support.
Projects: When Mount Angel Middle School sports were on the chopping block a couple years ago the Boosters stepped in and raised funds to rescue them.
“Sports are pretty much all the extracurricular activity left at the middle school and more than half the student body is involved,” said club president Christy Seiler. “It was a huge effort on the parents’ and community’s parts to raise those funds.”
The Boosters help cover the costs of hosting tournaments and sending sports teams to state competition. It installed a new sound system at the school and bought caps for the baseball team.
Meets: (Usually) third Monday of the month, 7 p.m. Kennedy High library, 890 E. Marquam, Mount Angel
Membership: Annual dues, $5
Contact: www.jfkboosterclub.com; [email protected]; Christy Seiler, 503-910-1200
SCOTTS MILLS AREA ORGANIZATIONS
Formed: 1988
Mission: Provide a community gathering place.
Projects: Food boxes third Tuesdays, 9-11 a.m.; host ‘Coffee And…’ Thursdays, 6-10 a.m. where folks show up for coffee and conversation; monthly $6 pancake breakfasts. Meeting spot for Neighborhood Watch, AA and others; provides a venue for weddings and other parties.
Meets: Last Sunday of the month, 3 p.m. at Community Center, 298 Fourth, corner of Fourth and Grandview, Scotts Mills.
Membership: Just show up to help.
Contact: Niki Barber, 503-873-5059
Formed: 1950s
Mission: Provide an attractive and efficient gathering place. Coordinate community events.
Projects: November Scotts Mills Holiday Bazaar, Citywide Garage Sale in July; Community Ham Dinner in March; September Harvest Fair. Manage city park for weddings, etc.; barn quilts. Rent out facilities for events.
Meets: Second Fridays, 7:30 p.m. at the Grange Hall, 299 Fourth, corner of Fourth and Grandview, Scotts Mills
Membership: Application process through Oregon State Grange; $40 annually.
Contact: Paula Darland 503-874-9575; Bill Schiedler, 503-873-5406
