John Wittwer
Board Member
The Sweet Home Community Foundation has received more than $5,600 in direct, individual cash donations over the last three months.
Police Chief Robert Burford, president of the Foundation?s Board of Directors, noted that, ?People in Sweet Home are beginning to recognize the benefits of giving where you live. As people get more familiar with and support the Community Foundation, they see that many individual contributors together can directly improve the quality of life in their own community.?
According to a report from Max Thompson, who serves as the Community Foundation?s treasurer, nearly 50 individual donors contributed to the Community Foundation?s first-ever direct mail fundraising campaign. ?We really appreciate each person who responded to our direct mail campaign,? Thompson said. ?Those contributions will enable the Foundation to continue its successful community grant program and we have not yet even conducted a major fundraising drive.?
Thompson also pointed out that many federal, city and school district employees make monthly contributions to the Foundation through voluntary payroll deduction programs. The Foundation also receives substantial charitable financial support from the Sweet Home Economic Development Group from profits of The Oregon Jamboree.
Chief Burford stated that the Community Foundation has met some short- and long-term charitable goals. ?Although the Community Foundation is still a relatively new organization, through the generosity of many individuals, we have established what ultimately will be a strong endowment of support for charitable activities in Sweet Home and we have been able to provide current funding for many worthwhile charitable projects. But much remains to be done.?
Tracii Hickman, the Foundation?s volunteer Grant Coordinator, reported that the Foundation has received 11 requests for support of charitable projects during the Foundation?s current community grant cycle.
?Last year,? Hickman said, ?we were able to provide grants totaling approximately $14,000, which was about one-third of the eligible requests. This year, we hope to meet much more of the current need.?
Last year?s grants from the Foundation helped provide fresh fruits and vegetables for hundreds of local families who face hunger on a daily basis, a warm coat or new shoes for 49 needy school children, support for a proven extra-curricular grade school reading program, computer equipment to preserve and share Sweet Home?s rich historical heritage and a mechanical lift for handicapped swimmers to have safe access to the community pool for therapy, fitness and recreation.
The Foundation will announce recipients of this year?s community grants at the Sweet Home Business Breakfast on March 25.
?Again,? Chief Burford concluded, ?in behalf of our community, members of the Foundation?s Board extend their deepest thanks to all who have joined us in this long-term effort to improve the quality of life in Sweet Home.?
Additional information about the Sweet Home Community Foundation is available at or by writing to the Foundation at P.O. Box 447, Sweet Home, OR 97386-0447.