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During the summer of 2020, we are creating a Little Hands Can digital space where we can continue to connect children with service opportunities safely. During Phase 2 of the reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic, some of our community members will be comfortable venturing out to participate and serve in the community on a more social level, while others may be more comfortable serving from home. Because the nature of our City Stewards in-person service projects are very social and we typically serve in close quarters with children who have a difficult time with social distancing, we have decided to postpone our in-person events for the summer and hope to resume them again in the fall.

For those of you most comfortable with serving our community from home, our Kindness Kits are available on our website . You can access those kits here.

For those of you interested in serving in person in the community or are seeking more summer service opportunities for your children, we have compiled a list of organizations we work with regularly that are welcoming families to serve this summer. Please use the information below to reach out to their volunteer coordinators. We will update this list as often as possible to reflect the opportunities available to you in Eugene/Springfield.

Connect Your Family with Eugene/Springfield Service Opportunities:

  1. Friends of Hendricks Park:

    • Volunteer Coordinator: Christina Bentrup

    • Contact Information: 541.510.4636 or CBentrup@eugene-or.gov

    • Hendricks Park will be hosting work parties throughout the summer with staggered start times and safety policies in place to allow for social distancing.

    • Sign-up ahead of time is required, so please reach out to Christina for more details.

  2. Bags of Love:

    • The Bags of Love warehouse is still limiting the number of volunteers in the warehouse, but they are accepting donations. As more agencies reopen and bag requests increase, they are in particular need of some key items. Can you help?

      • Summer-weight pajamas for all sizes

      • Small infant toys (rattles, teething rings, etc.)

      • Small packs of baby wipes

      • Baby wash for infants

    • If you'd like to make a donation outside of their operating hours, please get in touch with the office at 541-357-4957 or info@bagsofloveinc.org and they'll arrange to have someone meet you at a more convenient time. 

  3. Run For A Cause with Eclectic Edge’s Virtual Summer Solstice Stroll:

    • Help to raise money for a great cause. The purpose of this virtual run is to raise money for local organizations that support youth and families. When you sign up, choose from one of the following charities that your run will benefit: 

    • Proceeds from this event will go directly to your chosen charity.

    • LOCATION Anywhere! Trail, road, cross country style – your choice. Preferably outdoors, but your treadmill works, too.

    • TIME: Complete your chosen distance of a Half Marathon, 10K or 5K anytime between Thursday, June 18 and Sunday, June 21

    • DISTANCES: Half Marathon, 10K, 5K

  4. Refugee Resettlement Coalition of Lane County:

    • Contact: Becky Schenck

    • Contact Information: beckyschenck@yahoo.com

    • We often compile school kits and deliver them to Becky. To participate in this project to help the RRCLC, see the directions for sewing bags and compiling school kits HERE.

    • Reach out to her to ask how you can help as a family in other ways as well.

  5. Grassroots Garden:

    • Contact: Merry Bradley

    • Contact Information: merrybradley@yahoo.com

    • We work with Grassroots Garden year-round and they love having families work together in the garden. Please reach out to Merry to see if they are accepting family volunteers this summer and to set up a date/time to volunteer. This is always a positive experience that makes a huge impact! There are many child-friendly projects they have available.

  6. Greenhill Humane Society:

  • Right now Greenhill is in high need of dog and especially cat food donations. They do not care what brand the food is as long as it is in it’s proper bag and is not expired more than 6 months. Greenhill will take open food as well! All donations can be dropped off at Greenhill

  • LOCATION : 88530 Green Hill Road Eugene, OR 97402

  • TIME : Food donations can be delivered 7 days a week from 11 am - 6:00 pm

7. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Springfield, Oregon:

  • In order to keep their current operating costs down RMHC is asking our community for donations of:
    * Laundry detergent pods 🧺
    * Dish detergent pods 🧼
    * Small Dawn bottles🧴
    * Cases of water bottles🚰
    * To-go food containers (the brown ones that fold in the center)🥡
    All donations can be dropped off at:

  • LOCATION: Ronald McDonald House Charities
    116 St. Joseph Place
    Springfield, OR 97477. 

8. Willamalane Park and Recreation District:

  • Exciting news! Willamalane is reopening their volunteer program with trailkeeper opportunities that will make a big impact on our community. Volunteers will be doing activities such as:

    *Picking up litter

    *Clearing and maintaining trail corridors

    *Monitoring for vandalism

    *Reporting unsafe situations to our parks staff                                                 

    If you adore your local trail, this is a great way to connect more deeply. Find the sign up link here: https://willamalane.galaxydigital.com/need/index?agency_id=81145

9. FOOD for Lane County:

  • There are a lot of ways to support FOOD for Lane County right now. Here are a few:

    *👩‍🍳 Participate in their Chef's Night In! Dine Around Town event

    *🍷Buy Chefs' Pour 2014 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, all proceeds go to FFLC!

    *🥪 Donate food to help the FFLC's Summer Food Program for children

    *📀 Buy local music and all proceeds go to support FFLC's Dining Room

  • 🥫 Check out their Facebook Page for details on all these great events!

10. Coached Parent-Child Program at the University of Oregon