Bid on auction items for Warming Shelter
A silent auction is planned at the Mt. Hood Town Hall on Friday, Dec. 20, starting at 5 p.m. for Hood River Warming Shelter.
The auction will include items donated by local businesses. All proceeds directly benefit the Hood River Warming Shelter. Stop by anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. Refreshments, appetizers and desserts will be served. Contact Nikki Stansel with any questions at 541-645-0341.
If you are unable to attend but still wish to help, here is a link to its fundraising website: bit.ly/1cfbxOV.
The Hood River Warming Shelter works to ensure that homeless families and individuals have a warm and safe shelter during the dangerously cold winter months in Hood River and the Columbia Gorge. The Upper Valley is hosting the fundraising event as a way to get the community more involved.
‘Share the Warmth’ at Windermere
Windermere’s annual “Share the Warmth” coat and blanket drive runs through Dec. 20.
Bring new or gently used and laundered coats and blankets to Windermere offices, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donated items will be distributed to those in need by local charities in each community. The Hood River office is at 504 Cascade Ave.
Help with Christmas Project
Hood River County Christmas Project committee is looking for people to help with various aspects of the project. For more information on how to get involved or to sponsor a needy family, call Kym Zanmiller at 541-386-5153 or visit hoodrivercountychristmasproject.com.
Food and toy donations are accepted at barrels located in schools and businesses (see photo above) through Dec. 20.
SMART looks for volunteer readers
The Hood River County SMART reading program seeks volunteers to read with children for an hour or so each week.
SMART stands for Start Making A Reader Today, an independent program now in its 13th year working in Hood River County School District.
With SMART, children with a need for a reading boost, or for some caring adult companionship, spend half an hour twice a week reading in a group setting one-on-one, with adults.
Volunteers are needed at any school, but the need is greatest at Westside and at May Street. Volunteers spend time with the kids, but are not expected to “teach” them to read.
Volunteers will fill out an application form, and be subject to a background check, then assigned to two or more children who they will read with for the rest of the school year. SMART is taking a break after next week, but if you can help in 2014, visit getsmartoregon.org or call these coordinators:
n Westside: Teresa Burrows, 541-490-8152
n May Street: Jennifer Fowler, 541-399-6897
Get a haircut, donate to FISH
Nannette Mortensen of Salon Don’Ya on 12th Street on the Heights will exchange a haircut for a donation of non-perishable food for FISH food banks. Cash donations also accepted, in a fishbowl decorated by her daughter, Jayde. Walk-ins only, 9 a.m. to noon, 1-3 p.m. Fridays, through December.
Feed the birdies at HR Care Center
The Family Council at the Hood River Care Center is requesting donations of wild birdseed again this year.
There are several bird feeders outside resident rooms which makes bird watching an enjoyable activity throughout the year.
Donations may be dropped off at the HRCC, 729 Henderson Road, Hood River, or contact Debbie Medina at 541-490-1575 for delivery or pick-up.
FISH food bank building project
Donations are being sought to help the FISH food bank building project. The four locations in Hood River County now serve more than 400 families each month, and a new facility is needed that allows clients to wait out of the rain, is handicapped accessible, and where volunteers can efficiently and safely stock and store food with adequate food storage.
For more info call 541-490-1470 or visit fish-food-bank.com. Building contributions can be sent to FISH, 1767 12th St., #147, Hood River, OR 97031.
Volunteer as tax preparer
For more than 35 years in the Gorge, the AARP Tax-Aide program has been operating with volunteers to prepare taxes for senior citizens and low- to moderate-income persons, free of charge. Volunteers are needed to join the program.
If you don’t seize up at the thought of preparing income taxes, and kind of enjoy unique situations, fiddling with numbers, decoding things like tax rules, this might be for you.
There are six days of training in January over a two-week period, usually in The Dalles. After that, passing a test is required for certification. Self-study or online training is also available.
Tax-Aide volunteers work in Hood River, White Salmon and The Dalles and Tygh Valley, with a minimum four-hour-per-week commitment requested.
There is lots of support and collaboration; no one is expected to know it all. Tax-Aide volunteers prepare returns using Tax-wise on IRS-loaned laptops.
For more information call Ronell Currie at 541-478-3461.
Parkhurst House Senior Living Community
Do you have an open heart and some extra time? Parkhurst House is seeking volunteers who will spend a little time with its residents doing activities that you both enjoy, such as playing cards, exercise, singing, playing a musical instrument, watching movies, scrapbooking, sewing/cross-stitching, religious studies, playing bingo, cooking, reading books, giving manicures, facials or massages, gardening, storytelling, poetry reading, playing sports or board games.
To volunteer call Parkhurst House at 541-387-4600. Parkhurst is located at 2450 May St., Hood River.
Robotics volunteers needed
Help is needed hosting the upcoming robotics tournaments in Hood River on Dec. 14-15 for students 9-14 and on Jan. 11 for older students.
No experience is necessary “and you do not need to be a technology geek,” said HRVHS robotics advisor Jeff Blackman.
Each event requires between 35-60 volunteers.
“These are great events for the students, think of it as sports for the brain,” Blackman said.
If you can help, contact Blackman at jeff.blackman@hoodriver.k12.or.us.
Hat Project welcomes volunteers, yarn
Do you crochet, knit or loom? The residents and friends of Parkhurst House Senior Living Community cordially invite you to help create warm hats to give to those in need this coming winter season. The Hat Project members will be donating its creations to various charities in Hood River and Wasco counties.
The group meets each Monday from 10 a.m. to noon at Parkhurst House, 2450 May St., Hood River.
Those wishing to donate yarn, crochet hooks, knitting needles, looms or their own hat creations are welcome to drop them off at Parkhurst house as well. The group is gratefully accepting donations of yarn of any color, weight or blend, in any amount.
For more information contact Terri Hansen at 541-387-4600.
Next Door seeks foster parents
The Next Door is interviewing prospective foster parents for Hood River and Wasco counties. NDI provides care and behavior treatment for children and teens, ages 6-18, and is seeking individuals who are willing to open their hearts and their homes.
As a professional foster parent, you can give a child a place to call home; a safe, healthy, nurturing environment that many children have never known. You can be a part of helping these children and teens restore their lives and grow to be successful adults.
The ideal foster parents believe, like NDI does, that every child and every family deserves a chance to build a good life.
The need is now. NDI provides continuous training, 24-hour support and paid days off.
If you are interested, or know anyone who would make a great foster parent, contact Andrea Wood at 541-308-2207 or andreaw@nextdoorinc.org, or click on Foster Parenting at www.nextdoorinc.org.
Help grant senior wishes
Hawks Ridge Assisted Living Community is working on a new special program: Senior Wish Project will grant members of the senior community “special wishes,” such as reliving a childhood memory, an afternoon at a favorite fishing hole or a glider ride through the Gorge.
For more information, contact Kelly at 541-387-4087 or marketing@hawksridgeassistedliving.com.
SMART reading looks for volunteer readers
The Hood River County SMART reading program seeks volunteers to read with children for an hour or so each week.
SMART stands for Start Making A Reader Today, an independent program now in its 13th year working in Hood River County School District.
In SMART, children with a need for a reading boost, or for some caring adult companionship, spend half an hour twice a week reading in a group setting one-on-one, with adults.
Volunteers are needed at any school, but the need is greatest at Westside and at May Street.
Volunteers will fill out an application form, and be subject to a background check, then assigned to two or more children who they will read with for the rest of the school year. SMART is taking a break after next week, but if you can help in 2014, go to smartoregon.org or call these coordinators:
Westside: Teresa Burrows, 541-490-8152
May Street: Jennifer Fowler, 541-490-
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