Adventist Health Continues Rowena Fire Relief Efforts Through July

Left to Right - Coloumbia Gorge Food Bank Exec. Dir. Breen Goodwin, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, and Adventist Health Columbia Gorge’s Jennifer Zimmerlee Mechelle Gibson and Stefanie Bowen.

From Adventist Health’s Jennifer Zimmerlee:

The Dalles, Ore., July 17, 2025 — Adventist Health Columbia Gorge is continuing to provide relief support to community members and its own team members impacted by the Rowena Fire, which ignited on June 11.

Adventist will continue to distribute relief supplies 2 to 4 p.m. every Wednesday in July, or until they run out.

The relief mobilization began immediately as Adventist Health leaders Cheri McCall, Adventist Health Columbia Gorge human resources leader, connected with Adventist Health Global Missions Director John Schroer and Philanthropy Operations Director Marci Atkinson to start getting donations moved to The Dalles to relieve fire victims.

In partnership with city and county leaders, Adventist joined the Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) response effort, joining city and county leaders to offer support and resources. Hospital Chaplain Wes Welch invited colleagues from Adventist Health Portland to help him visit with fire victims as they received news of loss and tried to process their next steps.

Adventist Health Employees and Volunteers with supplies for Rowena Fire victims.

Thanks to Adventist Health Global Missions and World Vision, a semi-truck with 24 pallets loaded with water, generators, diapers, hygiene kits, toys, cups, and air purifiers arrived in The Dalles on June 21. The Columbia Gorge Food Bank agreed to receive, store, and help distribute the donations, which were unloaded by Adventist Health Columbia Gorge staff members. Supplies were distributed at multiple MARC events, where community members were also joined by Oregon Governor Tina Kotek as she toured the fire-affected areas.

Breen Goodwin, Columbia Gorge Food Bank Executive Director, shared that the food bank and hospital created a useful collaboration.

“We have the team and tools to support behind-the-scenes logistics while Adventist works directly with community members,” she explained. “We are proud to partner with Adventist Health Columbia Gorge on this Rowena Fire community response effort.”

Meanwhile, Adventist Health’s system philanthropy team launched a corporate giving campaign to offer the system’s more than 30,000 employees a way to provide direct support to their Columbia Gorge colleagues impacted by the fire. The program ensures 100% of each donation goes directly to affected employees.

About Adventist Health Columbia Gorge 

Founded in 1901, Adventist Health Columbia Gorge is a network of healthcare facilities serving The Dalles, Oregon, and communities throughout the greater Columbia Gorge. It includes a 49-bed acute care hospital, emergency and immediate care, a cancer center, primary and pediatric care, a range of specialists, and supporting services. The organization employs more than 700 providers, employees, and volunteers. It is part of Adventist Health, a faith-based, nonprofit health system with more than 440 sites of care across the West Coast and Hawaii, offering services that address physical, mental, spiritual, and social aspects of health.