Viewpoints - Ellen Summerfield - Give a Little Foundation
Published: February 14, 2009
Yamhill Valley News Register, McMinnville, OR
New nonprofit helps people take heart
Commentary
By Ellen Summerfield
"Countless stories of everyday kindness and generosity show themselves here in Yamhill County. We have good fortune to live where compassion and neighborliness are very much alive. People helping people is the norm rather than the exception.
And yet in 2009, because of a combination of complicated factors, people are falling through the cracks. The problems of unemployment, homelessness, hunger and poverty are huge — perhaps worse than many of us have ever seen.
What can we do? As a partial solution, three of us established Give a Little, an independent nonprofit, in 2008. With me on the board of directors are my husband, Phillip Pirages, and longtime friend Tricia Crawford, former director of Your Community Mediators.
The purpose of Give a Little is to help provide a safety net for people in need and to create a more caring, humane environment for everyone in Yamhill County" .... (Read Entire Article ).
Give a Little Foundation plans fundaiser
Published: May 2, 2009
Yamhill Valley News Register, McMinnville, OR
Fundraiser to benefit Give a Little
The News-Register staff
The new Give a Little Foundation, which provides financial assistance to people in crisis, will host an auction fundraiser Friday, May 22. The event will run from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the McMinnville Grand Ballroom, 325 N.E. Third St.
Admission is $25. If purchased in advance, a $5 raffle coupon is included.
The fundraiser is themed "Own a Piece of the Middle Ages" because the evening will include a special auction of illuminated manuscripts. Each event goer also can bring one book for a free appraisal by antiquarian book dealer Phillip Pirages.
The evening also will include appetizers and dessert by Marilyn and Fred Turner of Olive You, plus wine and non-alcoholic beverages. Sherill Roberts and Amelia Bierly will perform cello music.
Pirages is providing the auction manuscripts, which come from the Renaissance and Medieval periods. Also up for auction will be antique hand-colored botanical leaves, early music leaves and modern items. Jewelry, art and other work by Oregon artists, Oregon get-aways, sports-related items and a range of services also will be part of the silent auction.
Pirages will give a presentation called "An Introduction to Rare Books." Tricia Crawford will talk about the Give a Little Foundation.
Give a Little was founded in 2008 with the idea that "small amounts of money or assistance, provided at the right time, can make a critical difference in people's lives." It awards small amounts of money to low-income people to meet emergency needs, such as a deposit on an apartment, a medical prescription or a heating bill.
Give A Little gets welcome boost
Published: May 27, 2009
Yamhill Valley News Register, McMinnville, OR
By STARLA POINTER
Of the News-Register
Inspired by the fable "Stone Soup," members of the Give A Little Foundation filled a kettle with water and tossed in a gemstone of an idea: If many people each contribute a bit, together they will create something to sustain the community.
Friday night, numerous donors added their contributions - illuminated manuscripts from the Middle Ages, original art, vintage botanical prints, local wine, coupons for services such as dance lessons and acupuncture, and an autographed Blazer basketball. And other supporters came to bid on the items and celebrate the joy of giving.
"I'm touched, overwhelmed, overjoyed that so many of you care about those in the community who are having difficult times," said Ellen Summerfield, who started the nonprofit Give a Little last year.
"Sometimes we all need help. How heartwarming it is that others offer that help," Summerfield said. .... (Read Entire Article ).
|
