Charbonneau Villager Newspaper August 2020 | Page 11

August 2020 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER 11 Boys & Girls Aid By ZOE NIKLAS Savoring recent success stories The first day I started living with my foster family, I recognized it as my life’s turning point. Every moment of that spe- NIKLAS cial day is clearly etched in my soul. Walking home from my first day at school was a wonder. The sky was so clear I could see for miles and everything seemed so detailed, as to be etched. I could see every leaf in the trees I passed. The air was crisp and I savored the smell of freedom. No longer would I have to suffer at the hands of my crazed parents, I had a new life. A new chance. At Boys & Girls Aid, this emotion is what we try to share with our foster children. To have them savor the freedom of a new life, a new start; to no longer be afraid of violence, hunger and abandonment. Our children find their freedom in dedicated, trained and supported foster parents. This June, Boys & Girls Aid was delighted to celebrate five program youths who graduated from high school. Just 35% of Oregon teens who have spent time in foster care graduate from high school. These intrepid five graduated during a global pandemic, no less! We celebrate the achievement of these young people and we wish them the best of luck in their next endeavor! Boys & Girls Aid exists to provide resources and support for children in foster care, creating lifelong connections and allowing them to savor the happy and celebratory moments in life. To this end, the Cypress Branch of Boys & Girls Aid are savoring our success of the Crab and Rib Virtual Auction where we raised the funds needed to keep Boys & Girls Aid giving new lives and new chances. During this time of COVID-19, it is difficult to structure our regular meetings and luncheons, so we are having our meetings in webinar format. This new venue will help us further the goals of the Cypress Branch and keep our membership safe. Board sessions are now being held via Zoom. Because of COVID-19, we had to cancel our rescheduled annual fundraiser and change it to a virtual event. For the past several months, dozens of gift baskets and amazing donations of getaway packages, dining gift cards, sports memorabilia, amazing art and so much more were stored away until we could decide whether to go live. We chose not to cancel altogether and so items were posted online for bid. The event took place with advance review from July 18-25 and we are heartened by the results which will be announced in next month’s Villager article and at our September luncheon webinar. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we will be inviting our members to meet by Zoom for the foreseeable future. Members are encouraged to socialize within small groups and to view together the webinars on their big screen TV or any smart device. Suzann Huntington, president of Boys & Girls Aid, is our featured speaker in September. Huntington will speak on how Boys & Girls has survived through COVID-19 and she will announce the results of the online auction in July. Members will receive alerts via email in August. Future speakers will be announced in our next month’s article. If you want to hear more about our upcoming luncheon-alternative webinars, please contact Megan Bos at 503-542-2345 or [email protected]. LIST WITH LISA THERE’S A DIFFERENCE 7047 SW IRONWOOD CT $565,000 RESIDENTIAL 3 BEDS 2.1 BATHS 2,566 SQFT 20152747 Stately traditional w/ 3 bedrooms + bonus/4th bed. Grand entry w/curved staircase. Updated kitchen w/granite counters, newer SS appl, gas range and nook. Family room w/fireplace and french door connecting to living room. Formal dining room, extensive hardwoods. Spacious master w/alcove. Walk-in closet w/ org, walk in tile shower, skylights. 2 add’l bedrooms, bath, lrg bonus upstairs. All major items are newer inc: furnace, A/C, H2O htr, roof, paint. Yard has paver patio, H2O feature, corner lot. In an effort to protect our clients and community, only private showings with sanitary precautions are permitted. Please contact us for showing instructions. CHARBONNEAU TEAM Lisa Willett Broker, Licensed in Oregon Phone: [phone] Mark Willett Unlicensed Assistant to Lisa Willett Phone: [phone] OF EVERY 4 TRANSACTIONS were closed with a Hasson Agent in 2019 31840 SW Charbonneau Dr. Suite B