Local Kindness When We Need It Most
Here’s some… GOOD news. In face of great adversity and numerous challenges this year, we have seen an incredible amount of love and support come from our community. From the wildfires to COVID-19, there are so many heart-warming stories; so here, we wanted to highlight a few of the outstanding efforts made by our members to help our community this year.
Oregon Community Credit Union
Oregon Community Credit Union, among other local efforts including their wildfire relief fund, partnered with the Springfield Chamber of Commerce to create the Member Match Program. Many of our members who are feeling the greatest impacts are the same local small businesses and non-profit organizations that define us as a community. We are very aware of the overwhelmingly difficult decisions they may be facing, as well as the financial burdens. The Member Match Program was established to help reduce the cost of an annual Chamber membership, available to any existing member who was impacted by COVID. If you have any questions or are interested in taking advantage of the Member Match Program, please reach out to our Membership team (max@springfield-chamber.org).
Catholic Community Services
A cornerstone of our community, Catholic Community Services has been hard at work, serving our area’s most vulnerable population throughout the entirety of the pandemic. The heart shown by this group is incredible. In addition to this, in partnership with United Way, Catholic Community Services helped distribute over 200,000 in additional relief funds to individuals or families who had been evacuated due to the Holiday Farm Fire.
The Hope Project
Local nonprofit, The Hope Project helped moved truckloads of supplies out of town and up river to the families whose homes made it through the fire with smoke damage interiors, but do not have coverage. (Ken Brown of Rexius has been integral to this work – organizing efforts and mobilizing supplies)
Kendall Auto Group
The Kendall Auto Group Eugene has been working with the Hope Project as well as the Eugene Emeralds to take meals up to the front-line workers, and getting food, supplies and other necessities to the families affected by the fires. Mereté Hotel Management has also been a supporting partner in these efforts – read the press release here.
Cornucopia
Local institution, Cornucopia has really been stepping up. They prepared 1,100 meals per day for the Red Cross, the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday when the major evacuation was happening. And they also donated 10% of all sales one day from both of their locations to Red Cross and/or other relief funds for evacuees.
Lani Moku Grill
Lani Moku Grill (an outstanding Hawaiian restaurant) recently did a Buy One GIVE One event. This event matched every plate of food purchased with a donated plate to those who have been displaced by the fires.
Board and Brush
Board and Brush, the premier DIY home decor solution in Springfield has generously invited their customers to come in and remake any and all Board and Brush pieces lost in the fires, at no charge.
We cannot give enough thanks to these + all of our members helping out in this time of great need. We are so proud of our community and the outpouring of support they have shown in light of recent emergencies. Thank you to those who have shared your story. To all our members, please help us share yours. Contact Elora Kelsh, elora@springfield-chamber.org for more information. Be well and take care of each other.
