Eugene Weekly : Give Guide : 12.23.10

 

the procrastinator’s gift guide 

Eugene B. Good
our annual give guide
by Paula Hoemann and Suzi Steffen

Hey peeps! We’ve compacted the Give Guide so you’ve got a tiny bit of info about each organization. Really, they’re all good. We mean that. All very good, and all very much in need of your year-end donations. Give well, do good, save money at tax time —  it’s practically a theme song for Eugene.

FOOD FOR LANE COUNTY

You might think that FOOD for Lane County, which has many a fundraiser and supporter in the community, has plenty of food in its banks — but times are desperate in Oregon and in Lane County, where large percentages of families live with food insecurity. Giving to FFLC helps your neighbors and friends in need, and even a small monetary donation goes a long way. Visit www.foodforlanecounty.org or call 343-2822.

WHITE BIRD

For sheer volume of opportunities provided, it’s hard to beat White Bird. The institution provides support and services to low-income individuals and families and responds to more than 60,000 service requests annually. During winter, they are eager for cold weather wear, toiletry items, backpacks, boots and blankets for the homeless. To donate, to volunteer or for more information, visit www.whitebirdclinic.org or call 342-8255.

LOOKING GLASS

Each year Looking Glass serves more than 7,000 of Lane County’s at-risk youth and families, offering a wide variety of support and resources including a counseling program, an outpatient substance abuse program for youth 20 and under, a 24-hour crisis intervention and emergency shelter for youth 11-17, transitional and independent services for homeless youth 16-21 and much more. Call 686-2688 or visit www.lookingglass.us for more information/donation/volunteer opportunities.

WOMENSPACE

Working to end domestic violence by empowering women and children and changing community standards, Womenspace offers peer counseling, support groups and training as well as shelter in a safe place for any woman who is dealing with issues of domestic and/or sexual violence. Call 485-8232 or visit www.enddomesticviolence.org to donate or learn more, and fan them on Facebook for updated info as well.

SEXUAL ASSAULT SUPPORT SERVICES

SASS, Sexual Assault Support Services, provides community education and outreach, advocacy and support for survivors of sexual assault, abuse or harassment. SASS offers bilingual support groups for all ages for both male and female survivors of abuse and operates a 24-hour crisis and support line and a drop in center open 9 am to 4 pm weekdays. Call 484-9791 or visit www.sass-lane.org to donate, to volunteer or for more information.

AMIGOS

The dedicated staff makes Amigos one of your best nonprofit donation bets. Formerly known as Amigos de los Sobrevivientes, Amigos was originally created to assist Latin American families who came to the U.S. after having experienced political violence and torture. Through education and advocacy Amigos works to protect the human rights of immigrants — ensuring their protection, security, just treatment and inclusion in U.S. society. Call 746-6022 or visit www.amigosmsc.org for more information.

COMMITTED PARTNERS FOR YOUTH

By matching caring volunteer adults with at-risk youth for mentoring, Committed Partners for Youth connects kids with their community, focusing on positive reinforcement, trust building and achievement of goals through one-on-one outings and group adventures in the community. Volunteers can mentor or offer support in other ways, and donations are welcome. Visit www.committedpartners.org or call 344-0833.

KIDSPORTS

Right, Kidsports doesn’t serve kids in desperate need — except that kids (and adults) desperately need to get outside and find some physical exercise they enjoy. Executive Director Bev Smith told us in an email that the point of Kidsports is to teach kids to “have fun, play together and feel good about moving their bodies.” More info at www.kidsports.org or 683-2374.

SPONSORS

Nobody gives you a job and a house when get out of prison … except for Sponsors, which helps homeless, indigent former prisoners figure out how to fit back into the community, clean and sober, employed or in school and meeting parole conditions. Go to www.sponsorsinc.org or call 485-8341 for more info on donation possibilities.

ANIMAL RESCUE GROUPS

Lane County would love to have no-kill animal shelters, and one way to help that happen is to fund spay/neuter services for the animals already alive. Willamette Animal Guild has prevented the births of many unwanted animals since opening in January, 2008. You can help WAG provide low-cost spay/neuter services by donating at www.wagwag.org and find more info at 345-3566. The City of Eugene Spay and Neuter Clinic does just what it says and provides low-cost shots as well. It’s located inside of LCAS, but isn’t part of it; donate separately to help keep cats and dogs from taking over the planet. http://wkly.ws/2f or 682-3643.

Animals waiting for their “forever home” often hang out at Greenhill Humane Society, where volunteers help walk, feed and take care of many furry small creatures. To donate or volunteer, head to www.green-hill.org or call 689-1503.

More beautiful cats and dogs live in hope at Lane County Animal Services, where valiant efforts have transformed the shelter into a nearly no-kill space. Visit http://wkly.ws/1zor call 682-3645 for more info.

Don’t forget Pro-Bone-O, which helps provide care and food for pets of homeless people (www.proboneo.org or 607-8089); S.A.R.A., which provides dog and cat rescue services, helps get lost/homeless animals into safe homes and supports its mission with the thrift store S.A.R.A.’s Treasures (www.sarasavesanimals.org or 607-8892); Save the Pets, which is doing a smart thing by taking shelter pets out in the community where people can see them (www.savethepets.net or 683-7387); and Luv-A-Bull, which does much more than serve as an ambassador for pitties (www.luvabullpitbullrescue.com).

CASCADES RAPTOR CENTER

If you haven’t been to the Cascades Raptor Center yet, you’re really missing out. There’s nothing like the intensity of an up-close encounter with a raptor. The center provides care for injured raptors along with educational opportunities like classroom visits and field trips. For more info, go to www.eraptors.org or call 485-1320.

KINDTREE PRODUCTIONS –“AUTISM ROCKS”

KindTree Productions – “Autism Rocks” is a local grassroots nonprofit serving and celebrating the autism community. Its vision seeks acceptance and opportunity in recreation, education and art for people with autism. KindTree also runs a unique summer autism camp/retreat for people and families with autism. Visit www.kindtree.org or find them on Facebook for more info.

ARTS STATEWIDE

Using our state’s unique Oregon Cultural Trust (www.culturaltrust.org), you can give to arts organizations like local theaters, museums, symphonies and other arts programs and reduce your state taxes. Consider treating your community and yourself to year-end cheer in the midst of the gradually lengthening days. Learn more at http://wkly.ws/2f

ARTS UMBRELLA

Working collaboratively with public schools and other arts education agencies, Arts Umbrella offers educational and performance opportunities in music, dance and theater for students of all backgrounds. Visit www.artsumbrellausa.org or call 484-0473.

LANE ARTS COUNCIL

Lane Arts Council provides a ton of support for local writers, musicians and performing and visual artists, not to mention young’uns and First Friday Art Walk-ers. www.lanearts.org or 485-2278.

BRING RECYCLING

Dedicated to sustainability, BRING Recycling educates the public about how to live well without waste. Its Planet Improvement Center in Glenwood combines a resale outlet for used building materials with a hands-on learning center. Call 746-3023 or visit www.bringrecycling.org to donate or learn more.

CASCADIA WILDLANDS PROJECT

We live deep in the midst of the Cascadia Bioregion, defined as the forested region stretching from northern California to southeastern Alaska. The Cascadia Wildlands Project is devoted to protecting the ecological integrity of this region. Call 434-1463 or visit www.cascwild.org to donate or volunteer or for more information.

PREDATOR DEFENSE 

Wait, predators need defending? Heck yeah. Those animals that can scare people in the night (and that some humans have tried to eliminate with poisons and weapons) remain vital parts of the ecosystem that sustains us, and they need other humans working to help them survive. Find out more at www.predatordefense.org or 937-4261.