To those living near the Columbia River, Parkdale seems a long ways to drive home to, but to those living at the base of Mt. Hood, this community is a special place not only for its beauty, but also in the closeness of friends and neighbors.
A case in point is the current fundraising effort to build a residence for a local man who needs a place to live on his property with running water and electricity for he and his little dog.
These two are very much a part of the Upper Valley community and can often be seen together around town, he riding his bicycle with his little dog perched on his shoulder.
Cedar is a private man and isn’t looking for attention, but is very excited about the possibility of a new home he can call his own and share with his dog, Piper.
Friends and neighbors became of aware of his situation last fall and started thinking about getting enough money and help together to build them a small home on a flatbed trailer, complete with plumbing and electricity.
A fundraising effort soon began with e-mails forwarded to more and more people that included a link to a GoFundMe.com account for the project, where people could donate money and leave comments
Community members have responded with the saying, “It takes a village” and offering to help with work parties, donate windows and they leave comments such as “What a wonderful idea for a very deserving individual” and “This is great! It is always great to see people looking out for each other.”
The fundraising effort has been going well over the last few months with 48 people donating nearly $7,000 towards what was originally to be a $9,000 goal.
All of that changed this past week when the county heard about the fundraising effort and reminded community members that several permits would have to be pulled and many regulations followed in the building process.
The good news is that when everything is finished Cedar and his little buddy will be the recipients of a more suitable home, but the bigger challenge now is raising the $25,000 needed to complete the project.
On Wednesday, Feb.11 starting at 6:00 p.m. Solera Brewery on Baseline Road in Parkdale is opening its doors to all who wish to help for a night of fundraising for this special endeavor.
Apple Valley BBQ in Parkdale will be preparing a delicious dinner at a cost of $10 per person at the door and a special selection of beers and ciders will be available for $4 per pint.
Live entertainment for the evening will be provided by the Bonneville Power Trio and there will also be a live auction with all the proceeds going towards the building fund.
For more information on the event you can go to Apple Valley BBQ’s Facebook page and follow the links to either the fundraising event page or the GoFundMe account.
If you’d just like to donate, you can go directly to www.gofundme.com/gdxa98 or drop off a check or cash for the Cedar fund at Apple Valley BBQ or Solera Brewery, both on Baseline Road in Parkdale.
If you are interested in helping by donating goods or services, you can leave a comment on the GoFundMe page with your contact information and organizers will be in touch.
Parkdale Elementary School will be holding another Jog-A-Thon on Tuesday, Feb. 3 and students will be helping to raise money for the school by bringing in Box Tops.
Friends, families and community members are encouraged to pass the word and collect as many Box Tops for Education or Box Labels for Education as they can and either give them to students or turn them in to the school office.
The labels are worth ten cents each and are an easy way for the school to raise funds that support projects and pay for school assemblies.
For more information contact the school office at 541-352-6255.
Parents and families are invited to join in the fun at Reading and Math Family Night at Parkdale Elementary on Thursday, Feb.12 from 6 to 8 p.m.
The fun and informative evening will include math and reading activities to do at home to support your child/ren and information on the Common Core State Standards.
A free dinner will be provided as well as free childcare and activities.
The Missoula Theater will be returning once again to Parkdale Elementary Tuesday through Thursday, Feb. 17 to 19.
On Saturday, Feb.21 there will be two performances by the Missoula Theater with times to be announced.
Look for more information in this column as it becomes available.
The Parkdale Grange will be holding its February monthly breakfast on Sunday, Feb. 15 at the Grange Hall from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The community is invited to take a morning off from cooking and let the Grange ladies prepare your scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes and/or biscuits and gravy, homemade applesauce and beverage for just $6 for adults.
Community members should look in their mailboxes this week for the Mt. Hood Town Hall’s annual fundraising letter.
The Mt. Hood Town Hall board is excited to continue the successful 2014 Centennial projects in 2015 with plans to wrap up Phase 2; upgrading the kitchen.
Right now funds are being sought to improve the outdated appliances and bring the kitchen up to code in order to make a newly designed and appointed commercial kitchen available to the community for private rentals, commercial food preparation, and cooking classes.
If you would like to be a part of this exciting process by donating, please mail your check to the Mt. Hood Town Hall, P.O. Box 247, Mt. Hood, OR 97041 or you can donate online by going to www.mthoodtownhall.org and clicking on the “Donate” button on the top of the page.
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