The Oregon Jamboree, the Oregon Elks and Quilts of Valor were honored by the Oregon Veterans’ Home Sept. 20 during the five-year anniversary of the opening of the home in Lebanon.
Oregon Jamboree Festival Director Robert Shamek accepted an award from OVH on behalf of the event, its board of directors, volunteers and staff.
During the last five years, OVH’s staff have developed relationships with people and groups in the community to provide for opportunities and experiences.
“It was difficult to pick three organizations that we wanted to award,” said Megan Eddy, recreation director, in introducing the award recipients.
The Oregon Jamboree was selected for providing country music experiences to the residents of the home. Many of the veterans want to attend the Oregon Jamboree but, due to limitations, are not be able to attend the three-day outdoor premier country music festival in Sweet Home.
Shamek stepped forward in bringing a summer concert series that has provided a total of eight musical performances over the last two years, Eddy said. Many artists have reached back out to perform again and have even gone above and beyond to provide one-on-one concerts for veterans unable to leave their room to attend the summer concerts.
The Oregon Jamboree also assisted the recreation team in establishing a headliner for their third annual Fourth of July Freedom Music Festival event.
“We are thankful and admire the folks at the Oregon Jamboree for that,” continued Eddy in her announcement. “Thank you for making each summer a music filled event!”
The Oregon Elks donated a fire pit for OVH residents, which has become a catalyst for many more generous donations from the Elks, according to Eddy.
When the Oregon Veterans’ Home has been in need of coffee, hearing devices or gaming systems, the Elks have provided them. The home has developed strong relationships with many, especially the Sweet Home Elks chapter, which has stepped up to fund and provide labor for the home’s Valentine’s Dinner each year.
“Each year, at the Fourth of July Freedom Music Festival, event hours are long with set-up and take down on the Fourth of July – they are there every step of the way,” Eddy said.
Total funds donated by the Elks to OHV, to date, exceed $20,000.
Portland area-based Quilts of Valor is a quilting group whose mission is to cover all combat service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts of valor. A quality-made quilt, not to be mistaken for a charity quilt, is quilted and awarded as a thank you for veterans’ services, sacrifices and honor during war.
Working year-round, group members provide a new quilt every other month in an honor ceremony that includes a presentation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a blessing. Invites are sent to loved ones to join while they are honored. A total of 262 quilts have been given to residents over the last five years.
“I had no idea, when I met them at the grand opening of this building, how much love they would share over our campus,” Eddy said.