Deschutes Childrens Foundation Blog
The Creation of Becky Johnson Community Center
December 1st, 2009
I have been a DCF board member for 12 years. I had a specific goal when I first agreed to join the board. I am a long time resident of Redmond and was involved in other boards within that community. It was apparent to me that the most needy individuals within the Redmond community, and those with the least amount of resources to access services they needed, had to drive or find a ride to Bend to access services. There was no consistent place in Redmond for them to go. I knew there was interest on the part of the Foundation to expand to other communities and felt it would be beneficial to have a Redmond representative on the board to urge them in that direction.
Once on the board, it was an incredible experience. Before 18 months, we had a design and a plan. The ultimate outcome was the Becky Johnson Community Center in Redmond. It is a beautiful facility with programs and services for children and families. The array of services is broad, representing both Deschutes County services such as WIC and the Health Department, and early childhood services! Families now come to one place and can receive both services and referral information. It has been so rewarding to work with the foundation and to now see 4 community campuses! I have loved the work and feel that we have really lived up to the mission of the foundation!
–Kathy Emerson, Board Member
What is a Board Member?
November 17th, 2009
Young people might ask: “Why should I be on a Non-Profit Board? It sounds boring and I would rather be doing ‘hands on’ work.” Well, there are lots of reasons. I have been on many Boards over the 23 years of my legal career. As a lawyer, it seems almost expected that I should serve on boards. I have also, done “hands on” community work too. I think both are important for the community and for our own personal development as a caring and productive member of society.
However, I think that one of the roles of a Board is to reflect the broad spectrum of the community we serve. We need the perspective and creative ideas of our younger generation. I think I have learned much from both ends of the age continuum. I think we can all learn from people from different backgrounds and perspectives. Besides, it is fun and rewarding to do good public work.
To those of you just starting your working life, I challenge you to be involved. Pick a board and volunteer! You will not regret it.
–Sharon Smith, Deschutes Children’s Foundation Board Member
Deschutes Children's Foundation Staff Reflections
November 4th, 2009
As we move into a new phase of leadership at Deschutes Children’s Foundation, the staff would like to say a few words about Jan Eggleston and what we are looking forward to with our new director, Kim McNamer.
I will sincerely miss working with Jan. She has taught me so much in the time that I’ve been with the organization and has been a great leader. I’m really looking forward to learning from Kim, as I know that she has so much to share with Deschutes Children’s Foundation. I am excited about a new adventure with Kim guiding our organization to great things. I know that we will all make Jan proud of us in what we accomplish together.
–Heather Crawley, Administrative Assistant
I look forward to taking what I have learned from Jan’s years of expertise of DCF events and combining them with Kim’s fresh ideas. I think this will put an exciting twist on the DCF traditions!
–Erica Poulos, Event and Development Coordinator
I look forward to meeting Kim and her many talents. I’m sure this will be a smooth transition for all of us even though Jan is leaving big shoes to fill. In my years at DCF I have learned that “change is good” from Jan herself. Welcome Kim – a great team has chosen you and we look forward to new ventures.
–Dona Curtis, Facility Manager, Becky Johnson Community Center
It’s been such a pleasure learning about Deschutes Children’s Foundation, and what Jan has accomplished in her years with the program. I look forward to getting to know Kim, and I am excited to hear her plans and ideas for the future of DCF! Welcome, Kim!
–Tracie Kirzy, Facility Manager, East Bend Campus
I am sad Jan is leaving, but I know she is going to enjoy her retirement. I will miss her very much. On the other hand, I am looking forward to the future with Kim at the forefront. I’m sure our future will be very bright and long-lasting. Welcome Kim!
–Sharon VanWormer, Facility Manager, La Pine Community Campus
Working with Jan has been an adventure and a privilege. Jan’s vision for the foundation has always been her driving force and she has brought the organization thru some exciting and challenging times. I wish her well as she faces new experiences. We’ll miss her much but rest assured she’s leaving us in good hands.
–Yvonne Dahl, Bookkeeper
A Great Day of Golf for Deschutes Children's Foundation
October 27th, 2009A Great Day of Golf for Deschutes Children’s Foundation
by Bev Wagner
Monday, October 12th – got a phone call from Carin bright and early this morning: “Are we really still going to play golf today?!!?” I looked outside, checked my thermometer, got another cup of coffee. I have always had a ‘golf rule’. I don’t play if it is over 90 degrees or under 55. If I was ever going to break my rule it had better be for a good cause!
So I broke out my longjohns, earmuffs, t-neck, vest, wool socks, mittens and two jackets and headed to Bend Golf and Country Club. Today was the “Chip-In FORE Kids Golf Tournament. I wasn’t about to wimp out now. I knew that all the proceeds would go to the Deschutes Children’s Foundation programs to support non-profits in Central Oregon. This was indeed ‘a good cause’.
Ok ~ so it never got over about 44 degrees all day. But the sun did pop out which warmed us a bit since our team was dressed in black. Hey, it didn’t rain or snow and Thank You, Thank You for the hand-warmers! (One tough guy showed up dressed in SHORTS and I sold him one of my warmers behind his buddies’ backs).
I have supported the work of the Deschutes Children’s Foundation for several years now and have been amazed at the dedication of the staff and volunteers who always put on such wonderful events. They work hard to get the word out and this golf tournament was so much fun! It was well planned so that everyone could enjoy the day regardless of their golfing ability. We played a ’scramble’ format complete with ‘mulligans’ , Hole-In-One Prize opportunities and exciting challenges..
These people did nothing but feed us all the way around the course! Amazing that even if we had a bad score on a hole, we had something yummy to look forward at the next. Great vendors supplied everything from hot & spicy pumpkin soup to cupcakes to BBQ’d pork. Everyone was having so much fun. We were getting a bit cold but heard a rumor that on our next hole Bendistillery was serving lemondrops! Hello – now we’re talking! Amazingly, we had 4 good drives on that hole. In fact, I thought I had long drive for women (until we realized that I was in the wrong fairway).
Everyone on our team got to make a contribution – good drive, great chip shot or a long putt. I think Jennifer forgot to use her ‘mulligan’ (not that that would have put us in contention ). The competition got fierce and close in the end and then three lucky guys won the raffle to compete for the million dollar hole-in-one. Exciting, but no winner this time. After a fun day on the course we came inside to catered hors d’oeuvres and Deschutes Brewery beers. And boy, were there lots of raffle prizes! I may have had a better chance to win if I had remembered to put my ticket stubs in the drawings!!
Great day for an even greater cause ~ Is it too early to secure my spot for next year I wonder?
What I'll miss about Deschutes Children's Foundation
October 26th, 2009
What I’ll miss about Deschutes Children’s Foundation
by Jan Eggleston, outgoing Executive Director
Deschutes Children’s Foundation has been a huge part of my life for many years. Here are some of the things I will miss as I dodder off into retirement.
- The incredibly dedicated people, board and staff, who make the organization run.
- The staffs of our resident programs who are so good at helping children and families to be healthier and more productive.
- The amazing nonprofit sector that does so much for our community.
- Our donors, and philanthropists generally, who make all this work possible.
- Our vendors who often give in-kind contributions of goods or services that are equally valuable to cash, but perhaps not as visible.
- People who attend our events and make them worthwhile and fun.
- Program clients who are stressed out and searching for help.
- Building and remodeling buildings.
- Finding ways to fit as many compatible programs as possible into too-small facilities.
- Helping build partnerships among nonprofits and between the sector and businesses.
- Networking with others who care passionately about nonprofit work.
It has been my extreme pleasure to help facilitate the very important work of all our resident programs and other partners over these past 15 years. Please welcome Kim with open arms, and, everyone, keep up the GOOD WORK! –Jan
Just Getting Started!
October 20th, 2009Hello, and thank you for visiting our new blog site. We have just begun this new adventure so please stay tuned for future blogs. It will be worth the wait! Thank you!
