Volunteering pays off

First Federal’s simple Community Rewards program has resulted in $20,000 in contributions to local nonprofit organizations, according to First Federal President and CEO Rocky Wade.

He told me that the formula is easy: For every hour a customer volunteers with a Yamhill County nonprofit, First Federal contributes $2 to the organization.

In just four months First Federal customers submitted 10,000 volunteer hours, earning $20,000 for the 46 local organizations that participated this year. Customers tracked their volunteer hours on time cards, which were submitted by the organizations on a monthly basis. The program remained open until the 10,000th volunteer hour was submitted, at which point all funds were distributed to participating groups.

Because nonprofits have different needs at different times, the program will be rotated throughout the year, Wade said.
This year eight organizations reached the $1,000 per organization limit, maximizing the funding potential through the program, Wade said. “We have received a lot of positive comments — not only from the volunteers but from the nonprofits. It’s a win-win situation,” he said.

Details on how much local organizations earned through the program are available at www.FirstFedWeb.com; click on Community Matters.

First Federal established a formal community giving program to support local nonprofit organizations in 1999. Since then, First Federal has donated more than $1.2 million to organizations in Yamhill County. In addition to Community Rewards, donations are made through the Customer Ballot, Scholarship and Community Grant programs, as well as through numerous local organization and event sponsorships. First Federal also hosts annual Shred Day events and a community wide Volunteer Fair.

Providence Health & Services hired Maya Abels as executive director for Providence Newberg Health Foundation, the fundraising arm of Providence Newberg Medical Center.

Abels worked for Aurora Health Care in Milwaukee, Wis., as its director for major gifts. She replaces Shari Scales, who left Providence in April after eight years as executive director of the hospital’s foundation.

Through her leadership at Aurora Health Care, Abels designed and managed the first Aurora Board of Directors Campaign that raised $2 million. Other work supported building successful major gift programs across the system.

She also worked extensively for Oregon State University Foundation, where she was the director of development for the college of science for 11 years. She raised funds for scholarships and fellowships, endowed positions and science equipment, including three successful Keck Foundation grants, and a myriad of other programs.

Abels said she’s looking forward to working for an outstanding health system with a commitment to patient care and an active foundation board. “I’m eager to get to know the community, develop relationships, and generate enthusiasm and support so that the hospital continues to provide state-of-the-art facilities, equipment and services,” Abels said.

Abels grew up in Highland Park, Ill. She attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s in social work. She and her husband, Stewart Holmes, live in Newberg. They enjoy long-distance cycling and mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, gardening and other outdoor activities.  

Correction. The web address for Western Oregon Waste is www.westernoregon waste.com. It was reported incorrectly in last Saturday’s business section.

Leadership Mac, formerly known as the Community Leadership Development Program, is accepting applications for its 22nd year. More than 400 past, current, and future community leaders have participated in the program. Leadership Mac meets one day a month from September through June. Sessions focus on topics such as teamwork and trust, education,

government, business and industry, travel and tourism, and leadership and culture, combine to fulfill the mission of the program: “Developing Leaders, Building Community, and Making Connections.”

Tuition is $550 and covers all meals, refreshments, class materials and travel. Payment plans are available. The first class is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 9. Call the chamber at 503-472-6196.

British-born glass artist Danielle Blade will sign and discuss her work from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 16, in the Dapper Frog, 110 S.W. Seventh St. in Dundee. During the past 15 years, she and creative partner Stephen Gartner have developed their art into a form with the earthiness of pottery or stone and the luster of crystal. Their Gartner-Blade Glass recently put them on the cover of the highly regarded World Art Glass Quarterly.

For more information, call 1-503-965-0085 or visit the website at www.Dapper Frog.com.

The Delphian School was awarded the 2009 Best of Sheridan Award in the boarding schools category of the U.S. Commerce Association.

The program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Information was gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA award focused on quality, not quantity. Winners were determined on the information gathered both internally by the USCA as well as data as data provided by third parties.

The board of directors of Schnitzer Steel Industries, parent company of Cascade Steel Rolling Mills in McMinnville, declared a cash dividend of .017 cents per common share, payable on Aug. 31, to shareholders of record on Aug. 17. Schnitzer has paid a dividend every quarter since going public in November 1993.

Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. is one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of recycled ferrous metal products in the United States. With an annual production capacity of nearly 800,000 tons, the company’s steel manufacturing business produces finished steel products, including rebar, wire rod and other specialty products.

Caravan Coffee Roastery of Newberg hosted the recent Home Coffee Roasting Festival featuring 13 home roasters. Roasting was done on various equipment from a small converted air popper roasting 2 ounces of beans, a skillet and wooden spoon, and larger commercial and homemade units. 

Samples of roasted coffee had been submitted by each roaster and were judged by three certified graders using standard cupping protocol. Numbers were tallied in the blind cupping. Winners were: Fred Shipley, Newberg, first; Curtis Byers, Salem, second and Dick Van Noord, Newberg, third.

Donations were accepted in support of the Children’s Music Program in Campos Altos, Brazil, birthplace of one of the official judges, Bruno Souza.  Caravan Coffee has partnered with the Newberg, Tigard and Campos Altos Rotary Clubs to continue to raise money to support the project.

The school aids disadvantaged and troubled children through the teaching of music and morals, and also provides a meal during the day.