Final donations delivered from Wildfire Service Project

Monday marked the official end for deliveries of donations to those affected by the Oregon wildfires. Over the past few weeks, members of the Lake Oswego came together to help neighboring communities by donating toys, food, personal hygiene items, new clothing, diapers, etc.

Various businesses opened their doors to be official drop-off points for Kiwanis collection bins. These locations include: Safeway, McCulloch Insurance Agency, dba, Farmers Insurance, Lake Oswego Fire Station, Lake Oswego Library, and Lake Oswego City Hall.

Members of Kiwanis visited these various donation sites, and then delivered the supplies for sorting and temporary storage at Rapid Response Bio-Clean in Portland. Rapid Response also donated the use of an 18ft Isuzu box truck to deliver supplies to an evacuation site and a relief organization.

In addition to the local Lake Oswego Community, various nearby Kiwanis Clubs also helped collect supplies to help our clubs cause. Clubs from Tigard, Tualatin, Hillsboro, Washington County, and Ross Island; set up donation drop-off points, and delivered the supplies to the Rapid Response Bio-Clean Warehouse.

Various trips were made to the Evacuation Relief Center in Estacada. Coordination on a rotating list of needed supplies was made possible by the assistance of Estacada Community Watch. As their needs dwindled, we identified a different organization who helps young single parents, and is a referral source for those who call 211. This organization, “The Madonna Center for Life”, had their supplies depleted due to COVID-19 and the Riverside Fire. We made multiple trips to this organization, and rebuilt their supply inventory that should last until the end of December.

On Monday, October 5th, Joyce Handa was able to meet directly with a mother and two small girls who evacuated during the wildfires. According to Handa, through the incredile generosity of neighboring communities, we helped make a meaningful impact. “It was a touching experience to witness firsthand, the joy of giving to children affected by the wildfires, and hearing laughter and excitement during this unexpectedly tragic event in our state.” said Handa.