Critical call for blood, platelet donors
The American Red Cross urges donors to give blood or platelets now to reinforce the blood supply as much as possible before the summer winds down. Type O blood donors and those giving platelets are especially needed to help keep hospital shelves stocked through August.
Donors remain critically needed to support the Red Cross delivery of vital blood products, which are in demand around-the-clock as hospitals work to save lives this summer. When fewer people answer the call to donate, the blood supply can quickly shrink. Help safeguard necessary care for patients − book a time to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Those who come to give Aug. 1-31 will get a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email.
UPCOMING BLOOD DRIVES
AUG. 1: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Reynolds Electric and Plumbing, 2950 Chad Drive, Eugene.
AUG. 2: Noon-5 p.m., Faith Center, 1410 W. 13th Ave., Eugene.
AUG. 3: 9 a.m -2 p.m., Pursue Fitness, 555 W. Centennial Blvd., Springfield.
AUG. 5: 11 a.m. -4 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Presidents Street, 1155 Presidents St.
AUG. 8: 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Holiday Inn Express, 2117 Franklin Blvd., Glenwood.
AUG. 12: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Starbucks Springfield, 3348 Gateway St.
AUG. 13: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Central Lutheran Church, 1857 Potter St., Eugene.
AUG. 14: 1 p.m. -6 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints River Road, 3132 River Road, Eugene.
New clinic coming to Cottage Grove: Super Saturday Kids Health Clinic is Saturday
Community Health Centers of Lane County (CHCLC) will mark the 2024 National Health Center Week, Aug. 4-10, with a Super Saturday Kids Health Clinic on Saturday, Aug. 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Delta Oaks Clinic, located at 1022 Green Acres Road in Eugene.
The event, in partnership with Trillium, PacificSource and others, will feature well care exams, immunizations, sports physicals for children ages 3 and up, integrated oral health services, integrated behavioral health services, gently used clothing and sports equipment giveaway, a drawing for gift baskets, snacks, and activities. It is by appointment only, and interested families can 541-682-3550 to schedule.
To address the disparity of affordable, holistic healthcare in rural areas, CHCLC in partnership with Lane Community College (LCC), South Lane School District, and others will be opening this September its first rural clinic, the South Lane Clinic in Cottage Grove.
This clinic will afford residents of the greater Cottage Grove area with all the quality services they’ve come to expect from the CHCLC, as well as an on-site medical training program through LCC, all in their community.
The South Lane Clinic will expand the CHCLC clinic footprint to nine total clinics.
“As a member of our Federally Qualified Health Center board, I’ve seen first-hand the vital role our Community Health Centers of Lane County play in improving the health of their patient population, which include some of our most vulnerable community members,” said Pat Farr, Lane County Commissioner and board chair. “In turn, by achieving better health for those 25,000 individuals, we make a direct and positive impact on the quality of life for all Lane County residents.
According to the CHCLC, its health experts look beyond medical charts to address the factors that may cause poor health, such as poverty, homelessness, substance use, mental illness, access to nutritious food, and unemployment. The CHCLC collaborates with hospitals, local and state governments, social, health and business organizations to improve health outcomes for people who are medically vulnerable.
Volunteers sought for advisory committee on new option for in-home services
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) seeks volunteers to join an advisory committee to help develop a new option for in-home services. This option will be called Agency with Choice and will launch in 2026.
Through Agency with Choice, older adults and people with disabilities who receive Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports may choose to work with a new type of agency to hire a direct-care worker. This new type of agency will help individuals hire an in-home care provider, complete all the required paperwork, train the provider and pay them.
Planning for the 2026 launch of Agency with Choice is underway. To support planning efforts, the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities is seeking volunteers to join the Consumer Advisory Committee on Agency with Choice to help guide the creation of the program. This committee will include individuals who receive Medicaid in-home services and will meet virtually every month.
ODHS is looking for volunteers who:
• Currently receive Medicaid in-home services from a homecare worker, personal care attendant, or in-home care agency or have received these services in the past;
• Are older adults or adults with a physical disability or behavioral health need;
• Understand the value and potential benefits of in-home services;
• Have reliable internet or phone service for virtual meetings (no travel necessary);
• Will actively participate in discussions and provide feedback; and
• Will be able to consider the needs of all people who receive in-home help.
As many as 15 people will be selected for the committee to represent all parts of the state. People who are interested in joining may apply at: forms.office.com/g/JjW1hd5viY.
Applications must be submitted by Aug. 5 to be considered for membership in the committee. More info: [email protected]. Learn more about Agency with Choice, please see the “initiatives and outreach” section at oregon.gov.
Pleasant Hill grad writes book on parents’ struggle to help child
Searching for answers in his own life, former Green Beret James Baumann was inspired to write his recently published bookm “Hope For Parents With Addicted Loved Ones” (Volume I).
Baumann spent time on and off in the Willamette Valley and received his GED from Pleasant Hill High School’s program in 1981. Shortly after, he enlisted in the Army and became a part of Special Forces.
Although Baumann is open with the fact that he worked through his issues with drugs, it was his son’s addiction struggles that prompted him to try to become an expert on the matter. At 6 years old his son was mauled by a dog and was prescribed Oxycontin throughout the long surgery process on his face.
“By the time his face was repaired he had become addicted,” Baumann said. To try to understand his own experiences Baumann acquired a Masters in Human Service Counseling Addiction and Recovery from Liberty University. He wanted his book to take a different tone than he had typically heard.
“It needed to come across not as a professional talking down to someone, but as two dear friends that hold each other in high esteem with mutual respect and can just simply talk openly and honestly about what is going on,” Baumann said.
He uses themes and stories he learned from his experience of being a pastor and chaplain that counsels.
But he said that most importantly the book has a message of hope, “peace, and love for hurting people regardless of their faith tradition.”
— Tatum Stuart
LTD ahead of ADA milestone
SPRINGFIELD — Last Friday, July 26 marked 34 years since the American Disability Act (ADA) was passed, which was the first piece of legislation in the world to protect people with disabilities.
But did you know, five years before it was an ADA requirement, Lane Transit District (LTD) in 1985 was the first transit district in the country to feature a fully wheelchair-accessible vehicle fleet?
“To this day, many organizations and people with disabilities have chosen to call the Eugene Springfield area home because of a widespread commitment to accessibility which includes public transit,” said John Ahlen, LTD’s mobility services manager. “Lane Transit District made the decision to move toward a fully accessible fleet, due to testimony of those within the disability community and a strong commitment by LTD leadership.”
LTD was founded in 1970, originally with 18 buses and two vans and has since expanded its fleet to include 111 buses, while also maintaining its commitment to serving the disabled community. LTD offers other accessibility services including a curb to curb service called RideSource and a half-fare program for riders that meet disability requirements.
LTD releases a newsletter every month called Bus Talk with updated information on routes and operations.
— Samantha Sobel
Library hosts Tribally influenced music event
SPRINGFIELD — Vendors from the Native American Arts & Crafts Market will be set up at the Springfield Public Library, outside in the Fountain Plaza, from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Wednesday Aug. 7. The event will also include Hip Hop, spoken word poetry, music with call and response, live drums, keyboard, and saxophone, all influenced by Indigenous culture. Additionally, free lunches will be available for children ages 1-18 at 11:30 a.m.
– Ember Holman
Time capsule needs contents
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is prepping for its 100th anniversary — in 2049 — by calling on community members to participate in its time capsule, which will be opened during its centennial.
This year, the Chamber celebrates its 75th year anniversary, acknowledging their partnerships with local enterprises. The businesses that have been along for the ride all 75 years include: The City of Springfield, Safeway Inc. (Pioneer Parkway), US Bank, Oldham Crane Service Inc., Jones & Roth CPAs and Business Advisors, Hexion Inc., RG Media Company, Weyerhaeuser Company.
The capsule will include intriguing items, photos, and thoughtful letters from members of the Chamber and local businesses.
John Garbett, the director of the Springfield Chamber said, “We want to honor our past, celebrate our present, and inspire our future.”
the Chamber calls out to members of the community to make their mark on the project and contribute an item that helps paint a picture of Springfield. You can submit a time capsule item submission form online on the Springfield Chamber website.
Messages, photos, and items will be collected throughout the summer, and a Fall Open House ceremony will be held at the Chamber Depot in Oct. 2025 to finalize the capsule’s contents.
— Samantha Sobel
Applications open to request an Oregon Heritage Mentor
■ Oregon Heritage MentorCorps applications for the 2024-25 Mentor Year are open. If your organization needs free technical assistance in work planning, prioritization, collections management, disaster planning, policy creation or updates, grant applications, and more, available. Apply by Aug. 15 at:
oregon.gov/oprd/OH/pages/mentorcorps.aspx
‘Tourism Cares’ Request for grant proposals
■ Tourism Cares will be issuing grants from their Impact Travel Fund, funded by their members. The grants will be directed to tourism-related social enterprise/community-level businesses within the Willamette Valley. The total amount available, which can be spread over 1-3 grants, is between $10,000-$15,000. Apply by Aug. 30. For more information, contact John Sutherland.
Travel Lane County receives national recognition
Travel Lane County was awarded the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program designation by Destinations International in recognition of the organization’s commitment to industry excellence and meeting the industry standard for performance and accountability of destination organizations around the world.
“Travel Lane County achieved DMAP certification in 2018 and maintaining this accreditation illustrates that our employees live out the organization’s values each day,” said Kari Westlund, TLC president/CEO. “Along with the staff, the Travel Lane County Board of Directors is active and engaged in ensuring we focus on our mission and vision to make the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region a premier visitor destination. We are proud to be recognized … once again.”
