Rebecca Rienzi, executive director of Pathfinders for Autism, knows that families dealing with the disorder just need someone to talk to. “Thirteen years ago it was hard to find information,” she said. “It wasn’t easy to piece together. Fast forward thirteen years, we are here to make sure the information found on the Internet and that we are giving out is accurate. We understand Maryland issues, and most of our staff and board are parents of children on the spectrum.”
Students from Loch Raven High School in Baltimore, Md. raised more than $55,000 at their fifth annual Relay for Life event. Students, teachers, parents and community members walked laps and supported teams dedicated to their goal of $60,000.
A recent incident at Cascade Indoor Soccer Center in Salem has led to a life-saving donation by Cascade Cardiology. “One of the players collapsed,” said Vernon Daniel, facilities manager at Cascade Cardiology. “My brother turned him over, and he had turned blue and purple. A team member yelled to call 911, and people started working to do chest compressions.”
Two female Chihuahuas experienced a terrifying wild ride, thankfully with a happy ending. Angie Briggs, co-owner of Second Chance dog rescue was perusing Craigslist on Sunday and noticed a post for two female Chihuahuas needing a new home. She tried to contact the owners, but was unable to make contact. The add was posted at 4:10 p.m. on Sunday, and at about 5:30 one of Briggs’ supporters called her and said she just witnessed two Chihuahuas being tossed out of a moving car, and she had them safe and sound. The dogs and the Craigslist photo were a match.
Corey Benson, a Farmers Insurance Agent and Boy Scout Troop 50 volunteer, was in a bit of pickle. The troop had planned a game night for the boys and the planned venue fell through on short notice. “Capitol City Theater came in like a super hero and offered their location and made these boys beyond happy,” Corey said.
When Cameron “Corky” Kyle noticed his pool carrying case had been stolen, he was devastated. Corky owns Kolby’s Restaurant Bar and Billiards in Keizer. He called around to let the pool community know to be on the lookout for its contents.
When Rich Duncan started his own business from scratch 10 years ago, his first order of business was to align his skills with his core beliefs. For Rich, that meant producing quality work and investing in the community to build the solid foundation his company needed to sustain itself.
“I went on to play with a lot of the regional bands,” Gregg said. “Back then you could actually tour, and seven guys went on the road and played the Northwest circuit to Wyoming and back. That was back in the spandex and big hair days.”
Four years ago, Champion Cheer Athletics started its Express team to make sure that everyone of different abilities had a chance to be a cheerleader.“This is a big deal,” said Wendy Knodel, whose daughter, Kayla Hatch, joined to express her “girly-girl” side. “This is a caring and compassionate environment. This is such an inclusive team, and I have seen tremendous growth.”
With a goal of showing love, Casa de Adoración is determined to donate 500 new bicycles and 700 Christmas presents to community children who would otherwise go without. “We made the decision to give bikes because every child loves them,” said Pastor Julio Castro at Casa de Adoración, the Hispanic arm of People’s Church in Salem.
Virginia and Jim Farrens married Sept. 9, a year after they met at Jason Lee Manor, a United Methodist Retirement Center facility in Salem. “We like to think that when people move in here, it’s a new beginning,” said Cathy Parkinson, executive director of UMRC. “There’s lots of life, and that just proves it.”
Becky Willhite leads with her heart. She listens to it, follows it and goes with it. Her family was built with her heart, and now she has created three children’s books based on her heart’s desires.Becky’s son doesn’t look like her, but he talks like his father, has the same gait as his father, and has taught Becky how to be an advocate.
Some students flip through their cell phones during class, but Miranda Crowell knits for a good cause – to raise funds for Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Her ultimate goal? “I want one of my hats in every state before I graduate,” said Miranda, a junior at Sprague High School.
Sharing advice and recipes for success takes the cake, at least for Marion Barnes and Sarah Smith. Marion is the owner of Myriad Cake Design in Salem, and Sarah opened Sugar and Spice bakery in Lyons about 18 months ago.
Teresa Sanders’ strawberry freezer jam does more than just taste good! Teresa’s jam makes her son-in-law Steve Mucha’s customers’ mouths water. “People always ask to buy it, and we’ve always politely declined because we didn’t want her to work that hard,” said Steve, long-time restaurateur and owner of Word of Mouth From-Scratch Neighborhood Bistro in Salem with his wife, Becky.
McNary Flash Fiction Club members believe the most important words they’ll ever write are those shared to build up someone else. Giving legs to their belief, the students are writing anonymous love letters to help rescue the day of the person who finds them. “This is a no-questions-asked kind of deal,” said Eric Howald, who [...]
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To date, Salem Kiwanis members have distributed 5,677 books to 23 schools, reaching 1,568 kids! “We chose this project three years ago, and everyone liked working with the kids, so we expanded the project from there,” said Norm Frink, who distributes the books with Hugh Nelson, Bob Tribotti, Bill Van Natta and Peggy Klein. “We [...]
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Tom and Carolyn Lulay retired, but found it difficult to slow down. The Sublimity couple uses their free time to mentor students in the Regis High School Aspire Program as well as volunteering for other community projects. “We are proud of being involved in our church and community here in Stayton and Sublimity,” said Carolyn, [...]
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Students, parents and staff volunteers from Oregon Connection Academy sorted and boxed more than 3,600 pounds of food at the Linn-Benton Food Share, just one of many projects undertaken recently on ORCA Cares Day. ORCA’s executive director Todd Miller worked right alongside students from this area, saying, “I saw a hard-working group of students who [...]
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