Volunteers Lauded
An Oregon woman who helps people with their taxes has won a prestigious award for volunteers. A-A-R-P Oregon has awarded the 2022 Andrus Award for Community Service to Kathy Goeddel, a volunteer who has worked with the A-A-R-P Tax-Aide program for three decades. The program helps people with low incomes and older Oregonians prepare their tax returns for free each year. Michael Schultz is state volunteer president for A-A-R-P Oregon.
“Having met Kathy on several occasions, I’ve just been very impressed with how she motivates people by her example as a lead volunteer, and she’s always the first to step forward to get things done.”
About 43-percent of Oregonians volunteer, according to AmeriCorps (“-core”), which is the third highest rate in the country. The annual value of Oregonians’ volunteer service is estimated at four-point-two billion dollars. Schultz says he’s worked in the nonprofit sector and knows volunteers are a critical piece of their work.
“Volunteers are the authentic voice of what we’re trying to achieve with our mission and vision. They have the stories to tell that staff can’t tell but the volunteer can tell.”
The Andrus Award for Community Service is named after A-A-R-P founder, Doctor Ethel Percy Andrus.
Holiday Gas Prices
Ahead of the Christmas Holiday AAA Oregon is reporting that gas prices continue to fall around the country and around Oregon. Prices for regular gas are 15 cents cheaper than this time last year. Gas Prices for Oregon are still way above the national average at $3.98 a gallon but are still projected to be lower by the weekend. Here in the Florence area prices are averaging $3.75 a gallon with local prices as low at $3.70 and as high as $3.89.
Learn and Burn
Saturday Western Lane Fire and EMS had a burn and learn on the north side of town. The event burned a structure at 87637 highway 101. The training lasted for about 8 hours. Onlookers caught video of the burn as smoke billowed through the trees. Deputy Chief Matt House said things went well on Saturday with the majority of the focus on scene management with incident command management system.
City Meeting Cancelled
The City of Florence had one meeting scheduled for this week. EMAC was slated to meet tomorrow at 6pm, but that meeting was cancelled. City offices will be open all this week but will close on the 26th in observance of the Christmas Holiday.
Solstice Lantern Walk
Wednesday will signify the longest night of the year, to celebrate it there is a planned Lantern walk. The walk will begin at the Bridgeport market at the port parking lot gathering will begin at 4:45 and the walk will start at 5. This is the 5th annual Solstice Lantern Walk organized by the Serene Abundance Studio Space. Lanterns, glow sticks, lighted toys and flashlights are welcome.