It’s Earth Month, so what better time to spotlight a champion for sustainability in Central Oregon – The Environmental Center. An integral part of our community for the past three decades, The Environmental Center has worked hard to bring education about key environmental issues, as well as provide opportunities for people to engage and take action. Along with many other ongoing programs, the organization is providing… more >
We are pleased to announce that the Bend Foundation has donated $400,000 to various causes in the Central Oregon region. Please see below for the full press release about the grants. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bend Foundation Donates $400,000 to Local Organizations Central Oregon philanthropic organization donates $200,000 to Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity and $200,000 to other organizations aiding in COVID-19 recovery and resilienc Bend, Oregon – 08 March 2021 –… more >
Nonprofit organizations in our community are working overtime during this time of crisis, and we are proud to support many different causes in Central Oregon including The Bethlehem Inn. Homelessness is on the rise locally and nationwide, and many of these people are particularly vulnerable when it comes to health concerns surrounding the pandemic. The Bethlehem Inn, which provides shelter and meals for this population, is taking care when it comes to COVID-19 safety. The Bethlehem… more >
It’s a Central Oregon tradition: work off all that Thanksgiving yumminess with a brisk morning run to raise money for three deserving charities: the Boys and Girls Club of Bend, Girls on the Run of Central Oregon and NeighborImpact. Yes, we’re talking about the “I Like Pie” Run/Walk, typically held around Bend, Oregon’s Old Mill District area. This year, like most things, the format of the event is a bit different, and producer Cascade Lakes Relays and the FootZone… more >
There are so many different organizations working hard to support our community during these difficult times, and nearly all have been forced to cancel their planned fund-raising events. Deschutes Children’s Foundation is one of them, and they’ve come up with a creative alternative to their planned “Ripples” event. Instead, you can join them virtually for a new event, dubbed “Riddles.” Riddles: Creative Community Problem Solving will be held on Wednesday, October 14th. This… more >
It’s not just meetings, cocktail hours and family get-togethers that have gone virtual, many nonprofits in our community are turning online to continue fundraising. But how do you do a 5K race virtually? Central Oregon Symphony has it figured out with their 6th Annual Beat Beethoven’s 5th 5K race. Rather than canceling this fun event, which raises important… more >
Many nonprofit organizations in our Central Oregon community were forced to forego major scheduled fundraising events as the global pandemic unfolded. With restrictions still place statewide, even events that were originally rescheduled have had to be put off even further, or cancelled completely. This is the case with an event we were proud to sponsor: the Latino Community Association’s annual Gala de Oro. Originally planned for April of this year, and… more >
At the start of this month, local nonprofit organization Haelen House was forced to cancel its annual primary educational and awareness building event, the Healing Trauma Conference. Haelen House is dedicated to healing the root cause and effects of trauma, creating health, resilience and wholeness. With May being National Trauma Awareness Month, their planned conference was the perfect way to help people recognize the repercussions of trauma of… more >
Before major gatherings were put on hold due to the global pandemic, many nonprofits in our community had major fundraising events planned. One of those impacted organizations was the Deschutes River Conservancy, which had its annual Riverfeast scheduled for late last month. Brooks Resources had signed on as the title sponsor of this important event, which supports the group’s mission of preserving and ensuring the health of the lifeline of Central Oregon:… more >
The current COVID-19 crisis has affected all aspects of our community, including the rescheduling of major events and activities. For nonprofit organizations in our region, cancelling or revamping their major fundraising events has a dramatic impact on their ability to serve Central Oregon. This month, The Kids Center was planning to host its Healing Hearts Luncheon, of which Brooks Resources was a presenting level sponsor. The Kids Center decided to move the event to a… more >
As always, we are amazed by the solidarity of our Central Oregon community when facing any kind of adversity. The COVID-19 situation is top of mind for most of us, as we adjust to a new, temporary way of life and way of doing business. With all this change comes hardship for area families who have lost their jobs, are at high risk for illness or are even putting themselves in harm’s way to continue working (thanks medical… more >
Did you know that 1 in 5 children and 1 in 8 adults are food insecure in Deschutes County? The Bend Food Project is working to reduce these statistics, and fight hunger in our community. As we enter an uncertain time globally and locally, needs in our community are also likely to rise. The work that Bend Food Project is doing can help. This is something the whole team at Brooks Resources can… more >
Brooks Resources Corporation’s annual calendar has graced the walls of Central Oregon businesses and homes for 4 decades. Featuring beautiful scenes from our region, this year is no exception. For 2020, the real estate development company has chosen to feature Discovery West, the site of a new west Bend neighborhood the company is developing in partnership with the team that developed NorthWest Crossing. The image, taken by local photographer, Mike Houska of Dog Leg Studios,… more >
Charlotte Van Valkenburg shows off the “Chaos Theory” robot earlier this year. Brooks Resources, along with the Education Foundation for Bend-La Pine Schools and the Van Valkenburg family announced today that a memorial fund has been established to honor Charlotte Van Valkenburg, who passed away in a September car accident. The Charlotte Van Valkenburg Memorial Robotics Fund will provide financial assistance to high school robotics teams/clubs/programs throughout Central Oregon. As the head coach of the Summit High School Robotics… more >
Family Access Network (FAN) is unique to central Oregon, located in all public schools in Deschutes County and in Prineville. Working through a dedicated FAN advocate, a child or parent is connected to essential services such as food, shelter, heating, health care, clothing and more. When a child is well-rested and well-fed, they are more likely to attend and stay in school, paving the way for future success. Learn more about a few of the kids and families FAN… more >
BendFilm hosts an annual independent film festival which runs October 10-13, 2019 offering four days of inspiring independent cinema, panels and parties. BendFilm also offers year-round film exhibitions and programs and is the new owner of the Tin Pan Theater. The Festival venues for 2019 are The Oxford, McMenamins – Old St. Francis, Regal Cinemas, The Volcanic Theater, Cascades Theatrical Company, and the historic Tower Theatre. BendFilm heads into this year’s festival celebrating their 16th Anniversary and capturing accolades… more >
We have a special place in our heart for the NorthWest Crossing (NWX) Farmers Market. Founded 11 years ago by the NorthWest Crossing development team as a way to support local business, build community and bring people to the ‘hood, the market has blossomed from a tiny, one-block event to a vibrant destination for hundreds of families and over 120 vendors each week. The NWX Farmers Market happens each Saturday now through September 21 from 10am-2pm… more >
The Family Resource Center provides parents with child–raising strategies that strengthen their children‘s physical, mental and social development. It is the only agency in Central Oregon that offers evidence-based parenting education classes to parents of children of all ages. The Family Resource Center offers classes that help parents and caregivers learn skills that are proven to enhance cognitive, social and emotional development and improve school readiness… more >
I recently attended a workshop designed to discuss the preparedness of Central Oregon for a wildland fire disaster. The big question for the workshop was, “Can Central Oregon become another Paradise?”, referring to the tragedy in Paradise, CA last year from the Camp Fire. Before I attended the workshop, I thought that Bend would never see a tragedy like Paradise, due to our different topography and surrounding landscape. I was wrong. The fire professionals who volunteered their time… more >
High Desert Food & Farm Alliance (HDFFA) supports a thriving food and farm network in Central Oregon and has several programs and projects, two of which we wanted to highlight in our community spotlight this month. HDFFA is expanding farm fresh food through a mobile food pantry—a refrigerated truck called Fresh to You—starting this summer. HDFFA and NeighborImpact linked their financial resources to buy a refrigerated food truck that will offer food pantry items, ready-to-make meal kits and fresh… more >
