Needing help this year?

If you or someone you know needs holiday assistance, please contact Compassion in Action Clackamas County. They match up those with needs with those who wish to help. To sign up for assistance, you must apply between October 15 and December 5, 2012; please be prepared to supply the last four digits of a valid social security number for all members of the household. Applications are available at Department of Human Services offices throughout the county.

Opportunities for Giving in the Oregon City Area

There are many tangible ways for you to make a difference in our Oregon City community. Individuals, families, churches, and businesses can easily contribute money, time and other resources.

A Heroes Wish
No Soldier Left Behind will be collecting donations to provide veteran families with the whole Christmas package (Trees, Gifts & Santa) each year! To support the program and join them during the event please contact Rick Collier at 503-305-8049 or at rcollier@no-soldier-left-behind.org.

Annual Wreath Sale
October through November 17, Pioneer Community Center, 615 5th Street
Order a fresh holiday wreath and support the Pioneer Center’s many senior and disabled programs. 22” diameter wreaths are $17. Call 503–657–8287 to place your order.

Beavercreek Lions Club have collected items for local families in need for 25 years and help 120 families. To donate, drop non-perishable food and/or unwrapped toys in the decorated barrels that are located at all schools within the Oregon City School District. There is also a toy drop box at BCT on Henrici Rd. For more information, call 503-342-6699.

Christmas 9-1-1
The Oregon City Police Department in conjunction will local churches and several local businesses are collecting new, unwrapped toys (children ages 0-17) and gift wrapping supplies. They will also need volunteers on December 13 to help with the gift wrapping. Click here to download a flyer with more information.

Clackamas Women’s Services offers shelter and care to local survivors of domestic violence. The best way to support these families is to purchase gift cards allowing these moms to purchase gifts for their children. Otherwise donate cash or unwrapped gifts like warm robes for moms and toys for kids. There are opportunities to adopt a family, too. Call 503-722-2366 x102 or visit www.cwsor.org

Compassion in Action Clackamas County matches members of the community, service organizations and companies who contribute their time and resources, providing holiday food boxes & toys, with families and/or individuals in need. Go to www.ciacc.org for easy ways to donate to this effort! Contact CiACC at 503-632-0562.

Fill a Stocking, Fill a Heart is a local non-profit organization assisting over 20 agencies in Clackamas County by providing their neediest clients with a filled stocking during the holidays. Explore ways to help at www.fillastocking.org or checks may be written to FASFAH and sent to PO Box 1255, Oregon City.

Gleaners of Clackamas County is hosting a Christmas Party for the Kids later this month. Based on the number of families they serve, they are in need of 500 - 1500 wrapped candy for pinatas, goody bags, etc. They would also greatly appreciate novelty toys for the kids. Please drop your donations by the Gleaners of Clackamas County headquarters at 13821 Fir Street, Oregon City, or you may drop your donations at the Chamber office. All donations should be in by Monday, December 17. Questions? Contact 503-655-8740.

Giving Trees can be found at schools, churches, restaurants and other local businesses. Select a tag with a child’s gift info, deliver the gift(s) back to that location and the gift will be delivered to the child’s home.

H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Eat) is an emergency food network sponsored by five Oregon City church sites. Food or cash donations are always needed. To donate money, send a check to: Alice Hayden, H.O.P.E. Treasurer, c/o First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 1718, Oregon City. www.hopefoodpantry.com

Love INC is a network of local churches working together to help our communities poor. They connect people with resources and provide clothing, donated furniture, bicycles and household items. Volunteers help with home maintenance/ repair, budget counseling, and more. www.clackamasloveinc.org

Operation Santa Claus
A program of Clackamas Fire District #1. Fire district volunteers and employees lead Santa’s fire engine parade down neighborhood streets to collect toys and non-perishable food items for holiday baskets for needy families. Visit www.clackamasfire.com for parade schedule.

Oregon City Elks put together 500+ Christmas Baskets each year containing canned goods, dry goods, fresh vegetables, and a large turkey – everything needed for a wonderful Christmas dinner. Donate items via collection barrels at area schools Oct to Nov. Cash donations can be sent to: Oregon City Elks Lodge #1189, Attn: Christmas Baskets, 610 McLoughlin Blvd., Oregon City.

Parrott Creek Child & Family Services, a Clackamas County nonprofit, is dedicated to giving at-risk youth the tools, skills, and emotional support they need to change, make better choices and live up to their potential. Parrott Creek residential programs serve teen boys ages 14-18 and is home to 25 boys at any given time, 365 days a year—24 hours a day. For many of the youth who come to live at Parrott Creek Ranch, the holidays season can be a very stressful and lonely time. Parrott Creek invites you to help make these holidays special for the boys we serve at our residential campus. The wish list for the holidays is available on their website. You can also make a monetary contribution by visiting www.pcreek.org. For questions or more information, please contact Linda Winnett, Executive Director, 503-722-4110.

The Santa Caper is a holiday project of the Oregon City Pioneer Center to provide a festive gift bag for senior citizens and other community members that attend their Christmas luncheon. This year, the luncheon will be on Friday, December 21, from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. They anticipate serving a special holiday meal to about 100 people with live entertainment and a visit from Santa Claus to hand out all the special gift bags. They are asking for donations of small items that could be included in the gift bags. Gift cards ($5 or $10) would work the best, but ornaments or small gift or food items, would also work. They would like to receive donations by Friday, December 14th. You may drop off your donations at the Pioneer Center, 615 5th Street or call to arrange a pickup. Your name or your company’s name will be listed in the Pioneer Center’s bi-monthly newsletter and in the City’s “Trail News” as a thank you for your generosity. For more information, please call 503-722-3781 or email cmet@orcity.org.