Feb 2024 | Page 9

Pamplin Media Group February 2024 9

Thank you for a year of generosity

Food bank attracts volunteers , donations

By JEAN BRAULT Charbonneau resident

Happy New Year ! Best wishes to the Charbonneau community from all of the food bank volunteers . And once again our thanks to those upwards of 175 residents who generously contributed to the food bank ( Wilsonville Community Sharing ) throughout 2023 .

For the first 11 months of the year your contributions amounted to $ 7,165 and 4,813 pounds of food , paper and hygiene products . In our February write up we provide the final 2023 numbers .

These are not just statistics or numbers . They are very needed humane contributions , which fulfill basic needs to members of our Wilsonville community . They also provide emotional and psychological security to otherwise stressful situations .

For the month of January , the food bank ’ s most needed items are baby wipes , deodorant and laundry pods . As always , however , any contribution in-kind or funds is greatly appreciated , and “ one can or item ” times each and every one of us makes a big difference . The drop-off time will be 8:30 a . m . to 1 p . m . Wednesday Jan . 24 at our usual place in the CCC Activity Center .

January is the month of “ new resolutions .” To those of you who generously contributed to this endeavor , please renew your commitment . And to those who , due to other commitments or circumstances , were not able to donate in 2023 , please consider placing the food bank among your candidates for 2024 . We started from scratch in January 2023 . How wonderful if we could double the numbers of donors and contributions in 2024 ! Again , happy New Year !

Boys & Girls Aid

By MARGIE WIESENTHAL

Get your tickets for ‘ The Dinner ’

The Dinner

The Charbonneau Cypress Branch of Boys & Girls Aid will have The Dinner and silent auction on March 16 at the

WIESENTHAL Willamette Valley

Country Club . This will sell out quickly . So when you get your invitation , respond immediately . We want to see you there . Tickets can be purchased online at www . cypressonline . org .

A story of love

When Annie was 12 she looked at all the families she saw coming out of the theaters and plays in Portland and wondered how they could look so happy . She had lived in a car with her mother . When her mother died she was left to wander the streets because she couldn ’ t drive . The car was too full of stuff for her to live in it anymore .

Annie was taken to a Boys & Girls

COURTEST PHOTO : BOYS & GIRLS AID

Don ’ t miss your chance to get tickets for ‘ The Dinner .’

Aid house where she was fed , clothed and after several weeks was placed in a foster care family . One day she woke up to see an envelope on her pillow . “ What is this ?” She asked . “ Well ,” said her foster mom , “ it ’ s a Valentine card .” She thought for a moment and said , “ What ’ s a Valentine card ?” Her mom said , “ Open it .” So she did and the card told her that her foster family loved her . She had not even known about Valentine cards . Her mom said with a hug , “ This is Valentine ’ s Day and we love you .” “ Even my bratty brother ?” “ Yep , we all do .” Feb . 14 , Valentine ’ s Day , is my brother ’ s birthday . I am among the very fortunate people that have a good and loving family . You may be too , or not so much . Many families are torn apart and need to start over . Annie ’ s was not even a family . It was just her . She didn ’ t love herself . What was there to love about her ? Evidently the foster family saw something in her that was OK enough to love . In time she would learn to like and even love herself . Annie did not break out in song : “ The sun will come out tomorrow !” But she did feel happy and cared for thanks to her foster care family and Boys & Girls Aid .

My neighbors were foster parents for two years and still keep in touch with their foster child , who is now a happy grandmother . Their care for her changed their lives and her life . I have an idea that many of you reading this have a similar story about someone you know .

FOR MORE INFORMATION Boys and Girls Aid : � www . boysandgirlsaid . org Charbonneau Cypress Branch : � www . cypressonline . org

Winter Isn ’ t Over Yet

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