99 GAL Friends Impact Grants
A Family Place, Lutheran Community Services
Purchase of Spanish Language Parenting Curriculum, 2nd ed.
As the primary provider for critical parenting education in Yamhill County, A Family Place has a great need to add a Spanish language curriculum to its existing English edition. This grant will fund the purchase of 12 sessions of lessons and materials, including nine videos, that will help highly stressed parents of children aged 2-12 to develop the knowledge and skills that have been demonstrated to reduce abuse and neglect and improve school performances. A Family Place also intends to help make this curriculum more widely available throughout the county.
Chehalem Cultural Center (CCC)
Multi-generational Inclusive Voices Book and Craft Club
In collaboration with the Newberg Public Library, CCC will lead six sessions of free multigenerational workshops focusing on communities whose voices are often underrecognized. Each session will revolve around a book from a specific ethnic group and will feature a facilitated discussion and a coordinated art or craft project. The grant will cover the cost of art/craft supplies.
Friends of the McMinnville Senior Center
Thanksgiving Dinner and Holiday Open House
The Friends hosted a very well-attended, scrumptious Thanksgiving meal at the Senior Center, bringing together many who otherwise might not have cooked for themselves or enjoyed companionship. With this grant, the Friends also hosted a lovely Holiday Open House at the Senior Center on December 15th, 2023.
Head Start of Yamhill County
Cooking for All /Cocinar para Todos
When Covid-funding for various Zoom classes and activities ended, a very popular, successful family cooking class had to be suspended. With this grant, Head Start will again host six monthly Zoom cooking classes for 25 families. Families will learn to cook nutritious and inexpensive meals in their own kitchens, with groceries and utensils provided to them for each class. By cooking together, parents build a repertoire of healthy meals, and children learn the vital, lifelong skill of cooking for themselves.
Henderson House
Shelter Welcome Kits for Children
When domestic violence causes children to be displaced from their homes, they often arrive at the shelter in a very anxious state with few belongings. The Welcome Kits include pajamas, a blanket, a stuffed animal, books, toiletries, a night light, a water bottle, and an activity book—all intended to provide necessities and comfort during what can be a traumatic time. This grant will support 20-30 welcome kits.
Junior Orchestra of Yamhill County (Yamhill Enrichment Society)
Imagine the Possibilities When We Empower Children with Music
JOY provides orchestral instruction to elementary-aged youth at participating schools. With this grant, a number of kindergarten-sized violins will be purchased to help JOY expand its reach to a new school.
Lutheran Community Services
Enhanced Visitations
This grant supports a first-time, innovative program that will fund special visits between children in foster care and their biological parents. At present, these visits are held in a confined office, but, instead, there will be opportunities for supervised excursions to places like the zoo, the coast, the movies, or a water park. Research has shown that such “enhanced” bonding experiences pave the way for more success when the families are allowed to reunite.
Make Music McMinnville (Arts Alliance of Yamhill County)
PA System and Sound Engineer for Additional Venue
How do you best spend the hours of the longest day of the year? With a concert! Make Music McMinnville is a free, live musical celebration that will take place on June 21, 2024. This grant will allow for an additional venue, and 150-200 people are expected to attend.
Meals on Wheels (Northwest Senior and Disability Services)
Holiday Gift Bags
With this grant funding, Meals on Wheels was able to provide surprise gift bags to clients in McMinnville, Lafayette, and Dayton, some of whom may not have celebrated in any other way. The contents included a large, specially-selected variety of nutritious snacks and drinks, some choice hygiene items, other small gifts, and of course a greeting card. The recipients expressed appreciation for this generous addition to their regular delivery, making for a more festive holiday season.
Sheridan Museum of History
Reinstall Missing Plaques
Sheridan’s Main Street District has been recognized by the National Register of Historic Places, and the Downtown Sheridan Association's Walking Tour features 70 historic landmarks that reflect the history of the West. Of the 51 original plaques placed on historic buildings, 24 are now missing. With this grant, the plaques should all be reinstalled by Hometown Days on June 15-16, 2024, when guided tours will be offered.
West Valley Community Campus
Coastal Hills Art Tour
Created in 1991, this is believed to be the original art tour of Yamhill and Polk counties. The purpose is twofold: 1) to promote, encourage, and support a wide range of artists and artisans in the Willamina, Grand Ronde, and Sheridan areas, and 2) to provide a significant cultural experience to local populations. The grant will help ensure the success of the event by funding the essential printed materials, such as posters, maps, and signage.
Purchase of Spanish Language Parenting Curriculum, 2nd ed.
As the primary provider for critical parenting education in Yamhill County, A Family Place has a great need to add a Spanish language curriculum to its existing English edition. This grant will fund the purchase of 12 sessions of lessons and materials, including nine videos, that will help highly stressed parents of children aged 2-12 to develop the knowledge and skills that have been demonstrated to reduce abuse and neglect and improve school performances. A Family Place also intends to help make this curriculum more widely available throughout the county.
Chehalem Cultural Center (CCC)
Multi-generational Inclusive Voices Book and Craft Club
In collaboration with the Newberg Public Library, CCC will lead six sessions of free multigenerational workshops focusing on communities whose voices are often underrecognized. Each session will revolve around a book from a specific ethnic group and will feature a facilitated discussion and a coordinated art or craft project. The grant will cover the cost of art/craft supplies.
Friends of the McMinnville Senior Center
Thanksgiving Dinner and Holiday Open House
The Friends hosted a very well-attended, scrumptious Thanksgiving meal at the Senior Center, bringing together many who otherwise might not have cooked for themselves or enjoyed companionship. With this grant, the Friends also hosted a lovely Holiday Open House at the Senior Center on December 15th, 2023.
Head Start of Yamhill County
Cooking for All /Cocinar para Todos
When Covid-funding for various Zoom classes and activities ended, a very popular, successful family cooking class had to be suspended. With this grant, Head Start will again host six monthly Zoom cooking classes for 25 families. Families will learn to cook nutritious and inexpensive meals in their own kitchens, with groceries and utensils provided to them for each class. By cooking together, parents build a repertoire of healthy meals, and children learn the vital, lifelong skill of cooking for themselves.
Henderson House
Shelter Welcome Kits for Children
When domestic violence causes children to be displaced from their homes, they often arrive at the shelter in a very anxious state with few belongings. The Welcome Kits include pajamas, a blanket, a stuffed animal, books, toiletries, a night light, a water bottle, and an activity book—all intended to provide necessities and comfort during what can be a traumatic time. This grant will support 20-30 welcome kits.
Junior Orchestra of Yamhill County (Yamhill Enrichment Society)
Imagine the Possibilities When We Empower Children with Music
JOY provides orchestral instruction to elementary-aged youth at participating schools. With this grant, a number of kindergarten-sized violins will be purchased to help JOY expand its reach to a new school.
Lutheran Community Services
Enhanced Visitations
This grant supports a first-time, innovative program that will fund special visits between children in foster care and their biological parents. At present, these visits are held in a confined office, but, instead, there will be opportunities for supervised excursions to places like the zoo, the coast, the movies, or a water park. Research has shown that such “enhanced” bonding experiences pave the way for more success when the families are allowed to reunite.
Make Music McMinnville (Arts Alliance of Yamhill County)
PA System and Sound Engineer for Additional Venue
How do you best spend the hours of the longest day of the year? With a concert! Make Music McMinnville is a free, live musical celebration that will take place on June 21, 2024. This grant will allow for an additional venue, and 150-200 people are expected to attend.
Meals on Wheels (Northwest Senior and Disability Services)
Holiday Gift Bags
With this grant funding, Meals on Wheels was able to provide surprise gift bags to clients in McMinnville, Lafayette, and Dayton, some of whom may not have celebrated in any other way. The contents included a large, specially-selected variety of nutritious snacks and drinks, some choice hygiene items, other small gifts, and of course a greeting card. The recipients expressed appreciation for this generous addition to their regular delivery, making for a more festive holiday season.
Sheridan Museum of History
Reinstall Missing Plaques
Sheridan’s Main Street District has been recognized by the National Register of Historic Places, and the Downtown Sheridan Association's Walking Tour features 70 historic landmarks that reflect the history of the West. Of the 51 original plaques placed on historic buildings, 24 are now missing. With this grant, the plaques should all be reinstalled by Hometown Days on June 15-16, 2024, when guided tours will be offered.
West Valley Community Campus
Coastal Hills Art Tour
Created in 1991, this is believed to be the original art tour of Yamhill and Polk counties. The purpose is twofold: 1) to promote, encourage, and support a wide range of artists and artisans in the Willamina, Grand Ronde, and Sheridan areas, and 2) to provide a significant cultural experience to local populations. The grant will help ensure the success of the event by funding the essential printed materials, such as posters, maps, and signage.
By Starla Pointer • Staff Writer November 24, 2023
Grateful diners share turkey and trimmings
Thanksgiving came a little early at the McMinnville Senior Center, where volunteers carved turkey and served up both pumpkin and apple pie on Saturday, Nov. 18.
Friends of the Senior Center hosted the event, attended by both newcomers and seniors who often visit the facility for art classes, games of bingo and cards, and other activities.
While it was a few days early, everyone expressed thanks for the meal, the senior center and, especially, the good company.
“We’re here a lot. We’ve met many friends here,” said Roald Berg, who joined his wife, Linda, at a Thanksgiving photo booth following the meal. They donned turkey hats while friends snapped their photos.
Roald, who earned a degree in chemistry from Linfield in 1958, said he was thankful for his alma mater and for his family, as well.
The holiday event, which seated 76, quickly sold out when it was announced weeks ago. A few people canceled at the last minute, but others arrived to take their places.
“We don’t like to turn anyone away,” said Karen Ostrand, president of Friends of the Senior Center, which hosted the dinner.
About a dozen people helped prepare and serve the meal. Most had one thing in common: they were asked to volunteer by Ostrand or one of the organization’s other officers.
Some joked about having the right skills for the event. “I’m the official turkey slicer in our household. Have been for many years,” said Terry Hainsworth as he dismantled a carcass.
Friends of the Senior Center hosted the event, attended by both newcomers and seniors who often visit the facility for art classes, games of bingo and cards, and other activities.
While it was a few days early, everyone expressed thanks for the meal, the senior center and, especially, the good company.
“We’re here a lot. We’ve met many friends here,” said Roald Berg, who joined his wife, Linda, at a Thanksgiving photo booth following the meal. They donned turkey hats while friends snapped their photos.
Roald, who earned a degree in chemistry from Linfield in 1958, said he was thankful for his alma mater and for his family, as well.
The holiday event, which seated 76, quickly sold out when it was announced weeks ago. A few people canceled at the last minute, but others arrived to take their places.
“We don’t like to turn anyone away,” said Karen Ostrand, president of Friends of the Senior Center, which hosted the dinner.
About a dozen people helped prepare and serve the meal. Most had one thing in common: they were asked to volunteer by Ostrand or one of the organization’s other officers.
Some joked about having the right skills for the event. “I’m the official turkey slicer in our household. Have been for many years,” said Terry Hainsworth as he dismantled a carcass.
Working beside him, David Sword said he had experience, too. “Cutting the turkey always seems to fall to the guys,” he said, noting that his wife, Marsha Sword, had the more public role of serving tables.
Both men said they were thankful for having a chance to help out.
In addition, Sword said, “I’m thankful for good health, knock wood.”
And Hainsworth said he is thankful for being a grandfather to 3-year-old William, whom he and his wife, Lisa, visit in San Jose, California, as often as possible.
Across the kitchen, Linda Behrens stopped stirring potatoes for a moment to say she is thankful for her life, which has been good.
“I’m very blessed to be able to do this for others,” she said of helping at the dinner. “It makes seniors so happy.”
Everything cooked, volunteers set up a line of warming pans. Servers gathered plates from tables and heaped them with turkey breast, dressing, green bean casserole, yams, mashed potatoes and gravy, returning to the dining room to a chorus of oohs and aahs.
“They serve a good meal,” said Glen Rice, who, with wife Corinne, has been to the senior center Thanksgiving several times before.
Both men said they were thankful for having a chance to help out.
In addition, Sword said, “I’m thankful for good health, knock wood.”
And Hainsworth said he is thankful for being a grandfather to 3-year-old William, whom he and his wife, Lisa, visit in San Jose, California, as often as possible.
Across the kitchen, Linda Behrens stopped stirring potatoes for a moment to say she is thankful for her life, which has been good.
“I’m very blessed to be able to do this for others,” she said of helping at the dinner. “It makes seniors so happy.”
Everything cooked, volunteers set up a line of warming pans. Servers gathered plates from tables and heaped them with turkey breast, dressing, green bean casserole, yams, mashed potatoes and gravy, returning to the dining room to a chorus of oohs and aahs.
“They serve a good meal,” said Glen Rice, who, with wife Corinne, has been to the senior center Thanksgiving several times before.
The couple came with her sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Richard Newberg. The Rices said they were thankful for the company and for their other family members – six children, 13 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
The Rices also said they were thankful to be part of Lafayette Community Church. They also attended a Thanksgiving celebration there.
The Newbergs, who will celebrate their fifth anniversary in January, said they were thankful to have found wonderful second partners in life.
“I’m thankful for Sharon. I met her at Bi-Mart – she looked like my sister – and found out we were both into bees,” he said happily.
His wife added, “God works wonders.”
Sitting with the Newbergs and the Rices, Mary and Don Bowie said they are thankful for new friends and old. Don, an Air Force veteran, added that he’s grateful to be alive.
His wife said she is thankful for being an American. “This country is so free. It’s wonderful,” Mary Bowie said.
At another table, Mary Lou Beach and LaVerne Rickard, both of whom have been officers in the Friends group, confirmed that.
“We come every year,” Rickard said. “It’s nice not to work (to prepare the Thanksgiving meal themselves).”
Both residents of Brookdale independent living, they arrived via a Dial-a-Ride bus from the Yamhill County Transit Area service. It was well worth the trip, they said.
The Rices also said they were thankful to be part of Lafayette Community Church. They also attended a Thanksgiving celebration there.
The Newbergs, who will celebrate their fifth anniversary in January, said they were thankful to have found wonderful second partners in life.
“I’m thankful for Sharon. I met her at Bi-Mart – she looked like my sister – and found out we were both into bees,” he said happily.
His wife added, “God works wonders.”
Sitting with the Newbergs and the Rices, Mary and Don Bowie said they are thankful for new friends and old. Don, an Air Force veteran, added that he’s grateful to be alive.
His wife said she is thankful for being an American. “This country is so free. It’s wonderful,” Mary Bowie said.
At another table, Mary Lou Beach and LaVerne Rickard, both of whom have been officers in the Friends group, confirmed that.
“We come every year,” Rickard said. “It’s nice not to work (to prepare the Thanksgiving meal themselves).”
Both residents of Brookdale independent living, they arrived via a Dial-a-Ride bus from the Yamhill County Transit Area service. It was well worth the trip, they said.
Volunteer Kareen LaValley covers a slice of pie with whipped cream for diners Louise Harper, right,
and Chuck Ludwig at the Saturday, Nov. 18, event hosted by Friends of the Senior Center.
“The senior center was the first place I came when I moved to McMinnville in 2005,” said Beach, who will turn 87 in January. “I’ve accumulated a lot of friends here.
“And I’m thankful the Lord has given me these extra years,” she added.
Rickard agreed, adding that she’s also thankful for the friends she’s made at Brookdale since moving there two years ago. She’s a bingo caller there and plays card games with her neighbors.
As the early Thanksgiving meal got underway, Friends of the Senior Center received an early Christmas gift: A grant of $2,000 that will support future senior center activities, such as the Dec. 15 holiday open house and a Mother’s Day tea.
The grant is the first distributed by 99 GAL Friends, a new organization in which women decide how their charitable contributions should be used.
Ann Syrette of 99 GAL Friends presented the grant, saying it represented “all the hard work done by the Friends and Karen,” its president.
Ostrand, in turn, said she is thankful that the community supports the senior center and Friends. The support helps so many seniors, she said.
“And I’m thankful the Lord has given me these extra years,” she added.
Rickard agreed, adding that she’s also thankful for the friends she’s made at Brookdale since moving there two years ago. She’s a bingo caller there and plays card games with her neighbors.
As the early Thanksgiving meal got underway, Friends of the Senior Center received an early Christmas gift: A grant of $2,000 that will support future senior center activities, such as the Dec. 15 holiday open house and a Mother’s Day tea.
The grant is the first distributed by 99 GAL Friends, a new organization in which women decide how their charitable contributions should be used.
Ann Syrette of 99 GAL Friends presented the grant, saying it represented “all the hard work done by the Friends and Karen,” its president.
Ostrand, in turn, said she is thankful that the community supports the senior center and Friends. The support helps so many seniors, she said.
Jack Pattishall loads gift bags into his vehicle in preparation for driving his Meals on Wheels delivery route. Pattishall spent 20 years in the Navy and another 20 with the post office in the Boston area before moving to McMinnville to be closer to family.
Meals on Wheels gets grant, needs volunteers
By Starla Pointer • Staff Writer • December 27, 2023
The McMinnville Meals on Wheels site is seeing a growing demand for its delivery service, which provides food to homebound seniors.
It’s also seeing growing support from the community, although organizers are always looking for more volunteer drivers, according to Linda Behrens, who retired from her position as director of the program and now is a volunteer herself.
Michelle Guillory is the new director.
Meals on Wheels this month was able to provide additional food and other items to its clients in McMinnville, Lafayette and Dayton thanks to a donation from 99 GAL Friends. The organization, started earlier this year, gave $2,000 to augment Christmas packages.
The grant was the second distributed by 99 GAL Friends, according to Ginny Upton, a member of the nonprofit in which women donate money, then decide how it will be used to help the community.
Volunteers from 99 GAL Friends helped package up the extra items for Christmas delivery. Behrens said the grant enabled Meals on Wheels to add extra nutritious snacks, such as vegan cheddar chickpeas, packs of chicken or tuna salad with crackers and fruit cups packed in water or light syrup.
Seniors “can’t get enough” of the conveniently packed peaches, pears and applesauce packages, Behrens said.
The Christmas bags also included notecards, facial tissue, lip balm, hand cream and other items, along with a holiday card, she said.
Volunteers added the bags to their regular deliveries last week. They take meals and other food to about 130 homebound people, 60 and older, in the three cities on Monday through Thursday.
Another 40 or so people in the Carlton and Yamhill areas receive frozen food.
Behrens said the numbers have increased over the past year. When she was director, there were about 110 clients in the three-city delivery area.
The McMinnville site, based at the McMinnville Cooperative Ministries church, had five delivery routes last year, but now six. Behrens said one volunteer is needed for each route per day, or 24 over the four-day delivery period, but additional volunteers are needed as substitutes or to take over routes when other drivers retire.
Sheridan and Newberg have separate Meals on Wheels sites, so the numbers top 300 in the whole county.
Meals on Wheels customers are often referred by Northwest Senior & Disability Services. Homebound seniors also can refer themselves to the program by calling 503-472-4214; volunteers can call the same number.
Meals on Wheels volunteer Terry Conlon loads bags of Christmas extras, such as high-protein snacks, fruit packed in water and other items purchased with a grant from 99 Gal Friends last weeks at the McMinnville Meals on Wheels site. Volunteer drivers delivered them before Christmas to homebound seniors in McMinnville, Lafayette and Dayton.