Donations for Thanksgiving Meal Bags for a local Elementary School are due November 9th

Posted on November 6, 2025 by Gary Haliski

Reminder – Just three days left.

This Thanksgiving, the Santa Clara Community Organization (SCCO) is partnering again with St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church to support families in our community. Together, we are assembling 12 Thanksgiving meal bags for families at a local elementary school, ensuring they can enjoy a festive and comforting holiday meal.

Each meal bag will include shelf-stable items to serve a family of six, along with a grocery gift card to help purchase fresh ingredients. Turkeys for each bag are being donated by our generous friends at St. Matthew’s. Bags will be distributed on Friday, November 21, and Monday, November 24. 

How You Can Help

Neighbors and community members who wish to support this effort can make a tax-deductible donation. Your contribution will help cover the cost of meal items and gift cards for the families.

To donate:

  • Make checks payable to: Eugene Neighbors, Inc.
  • Memo line: SCCO Thanksgiving Meals
  • Mailing Address: 1250 Irvington Dr. Eugene, OR 97404
  • Deadline to contribute: November 9th

If you are interested in donating or have questions, please contact Terri Reed at tannereed@gmail.com.

Every dollar makes a difference. Thank you for helping us share the spirit of Thanksgiving with our neighbors!

Posted in General Interest, Houseless & Rest Stops | Leave a comment

Thursday, November 6th SCCO meeting reminder – Laurel Hill Center’s 54 unit housing development

Posted on November 4, 2025 by Gary Haliski

Thursday, November 6
7:00 PM
3280 River Road (Messiah Lutheran Church)
Online on Google Meets:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/afq-hgqq-ctc
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 218-301-2948‬ PIN: ‪895 118 056‬#

Main topic: A guest presentation by Laurel Hill Center, a mental health services and housing provider, will be featured at our November 6th SCCO meeting.   They are preparing to build a 54-unit housing development off River Road near Hunsaker and would like to engage the community in their process.

There will also be an update to the fundraiser for a memorial bench for Carleen Riley, a major advocate for the River Road area. To learn more about the fundraiser, see our website article.

Posted in Land Use Planning, SCCO Meetings | 5 Comments

November 6 SCCO Meeting – Discussion about Laurel Hill Center’s 54 unit housing development

Posted on October 28, 2025 by Gary Haliski

A guest presentation by Laurel Hill Center, a mental health services and housing provider, will be featured at our November 6th SCCO meeting.   They are preparing to build a 54-unit housing development off River Road near Hunsaker and would like to engage the community in their process.

SCCO November monthly meeting
Thursday, November 6: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/afq-hgqq-ctc
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 218-301-2948‬ PIN: ‪895 118 056‬#
Or attend in person: 3280 River Road (Messiah Lutheran Church)

Posted in SCCO Meetings | Leave a comment

Santa Clara Community Organization & St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church team up for Thanksgiving Meals

Posted on October 28, 2025 by Gary Haliski

This Thanksgiving, the Santa Clara Community Organization (SCCO) is partnering again with St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church to support families in our community. Together, we are assembling 12 Thanksgiving meal bags for families at a local elementary school, ensuring they can enjoy a festive and comforting holiday meal.

Each meal bag will include shelf-stable items to serve a family of six, along with a grocery gift card to help purchase fresh ingredients. Turkeys for each bag are being donated by our generous friends at St. Matthew’s. Bags will be distributed Friday, November 21 and Monday, November 24. 

How You Can Help

Neighbors and community members who wish to support this effort can make a tax-deductible donation. Your contribution will help cover the cost of meal items and gift cards for the families.

To donate:

  • Make checks payable to: Eugene Neighbors, Inc.
  • Memo line: SCCO Thanksgiving Meals
  • Mailing Address: 1250 Irvington Dr. Eugene, OR 97404
  • Deadline to contribute: November 9th

If you are interested in donating or have questions, please contact Terri Reed at tannereed@gmail.com.

Every dollar makes a difference. Thank you for helping us share the spirit of Thanksgiving with our neighbors!

Posted in General Interest, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Fundraiser for Public Memorial for Carleen Riley

Posted on October 24, 2025 by Gary Haliski

Many of you knew Carleen Riley of the River Road Community Organization (RRCO) and the work she did to improve the River Road area and Eugene in general. RRCO is creating a public memorial to honor Carleen and is seeking donations.

From the RRCO:

Dear Friends of Carleen Reilly,

Good news! We are now on a short path toward the creation of a public memorial to honor
Carleen and her lifetime of work for the good of our community. The City of Eugene is
providing a site on the river for a beautiful, permanent bench and plaque to honor Carleen
and her tireless work for the common good. In all her activities, Carleen inspired,
mentored and empowered others for public service.

Now we have the opportunity to permanently memorialize her legacy. The City has given us a short timeline to raise the necessary funds. Our goal is $10,000 by year-end to cover the bench and plaque. We hope you will contribute to make this memorial a reality.
You can donate in two ways:

  1. Donate online through Go Fund Me, using this link: https://gofund.me/406737262
    Note: Once you specify your donation, you can move the “tip” number to zero, or
    enter a custom tip.
  2. Send a check. If you would like a tax-deductible receipt or wish to donate directly,
    send a check to Eugene Neighbors Inc (or ENI) and include RRCO/Carleen’s Bench
    in the memo line. Mail to:

    EUGENE NEIGHBORS INC
    PO Box 44 Eugene, OR 97440

    We all miss Carleen’s presence and contributions to our community and see this memorial as a fitting and lasting tribute to a true civic hero

    If you have any questions, please contact one of us listed below.

    Friends of Carleen,
    Jolene Siemsen, jolenesiemsen@gmail.com
    Teresa Damron, teresadamron@gmail.com
    Hillary Kittleson, hillarykittleson@msn.com
    Susan Kittleson, susankittleson36@gmail.com
    Michele O’Leary, micheleoleary25@gmail.com
    And Pat Reilly, patreilly6@gmail.com
    3. Screenshot
Posted in General Interest | Leave a comment