Boys and Girls Club
The Boys and Girls Club of Western Lane County is suffering from a decrease in funding from the state, but CEO Vanessa Buss said that while the expected monies were cut back, summer programs went forward, but at a cost.
“We were able to get through our summer program, we did have to charge families, you know, three times more than we would have done if we would have gotten summer program funding.”
The club provides daily care for children and teens, but also has educational programs that help students. She says the shortfall in monies was not unique to Florence but affected all agencies like the Boys and Girls club across the state.
“So there was a lot of programs that either didn’t exist or they had to cut back on the folks they could serve or they just shut everything down.”
The club depends on grants and on local support to operate. They are currently working on their gala that will be on October 7th. Buss says it is crucial that their efforts are successful. State money was about $200,000 dollars. A recent review of the state’s finances show a significant increase in funds than previously thought. Buss says they have a legislative group that continues to bring their voice to the table with hopes that some money could still be allocated.
Chamber Directory
The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce is putting together their Visitors guide and Membership directory. Bettina Hannigan, president and CEO of the Chamber says this year the guide will get a new look and there is a new plan for increasing the reach of the publication. The chamber is planning on dispersing 32 thousand copies of the guide from Seattle to San Francisco. The publication will be in booklet form rather than a magazine format. Businesses and organizations can contact the chamber for more information.
Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness Planned
The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and the past two years two women have organized a walk in Newport that raised over $45,000 dollars for cancer patients in Lincoln County. Jeanette Campagna and Sonia Graham organized the walk and want to bring it to Florence. They have organized the CoastBusters Walk for Breast Cancer in Florence which will take place on October 7th. both women are breast cancer survivors and hope to increase awareness and raise funds in what they hope will become an annual event. Funds raised through the walk will stay local and benefit breast cancer patients through the Oregon Cancer Foundation.
Three Buttes Fire
The Three Buttes fire continues to burn northeast of Florence. ODF reports today that they will be turning the operation over to local control as there has not been any significant increases in fire activity. Personnel has decreased to 129 firefighters and the local Type 3 command will assume responsibility for the fire beginning tomorrow (Saturday) morning.
