United Way Gives $104K to 27 Local Non-Profits; Announces Outstanding Volunteers of the Year
Community Partners pose for a photo on the stage at the Best Western Inn in Hood River, OR. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
By Cole Goodwin
Hood River, OR July 26, 2023— On Monday July 24, United Way of the Columbia Gorge presented $104,000 to 27 non-profit organizations which do life changing work in the Columbia Gorge Community and announced the winners of the Outstanding Volunteer of Year awards.
City of Hood River Mayor, and United Way President Paul Blackburn MC’d the event.
Paul Blackburn and Caroline Grew stand next to a poster listing the organizations which received funding from United Way.
The list reads:
Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP)
Columbia Gorge Food Bank
Helping Hands Against Violence
Columbia Gorge CASA
Skamania County Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
SafeSpace Children's Advocacy Center of the Gorge
The Dalles Community Backpack Program
Klickitat Senior Services
CultureSeed
The Dalles Meals on Wheels
FISH Food Bank
The Dalles Farmers Market
Youth Empowerment Program
Six Rivers Dispute Resolution Center
Hood River Valley Adult Center
Community Meals Inc.
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum/Gorge Ecology Outdoors (GEO)
Hood River County Christmas Project
Hood River County Prevention Department
New Hope Farms Inc.
Play Frontier
Books for Kids Wasco
Keeping Kids Involved in Developmental Sports LLC
BackPacks 4 Kids
Books for Kids Columbia Gorge
SMART Reading
Cascade Pacific Council Boy Scouts of America/Goldendale Troop
Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Columbia Gorge CASA receiving their check from United Way. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
In addition to handing out checks at the event, United Way recognized two volunteers for their dedication, commitment, and extraordinary service to their communities. Recipients of the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award went to Tina Nakake and Bruce Holmson.
Pictured: Bruce Holmson, Paul Blackburn and Tina Nakake. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Tina Nakake was nominated for the award by the youth she has served at CultureSeed in recognition of her outstanding work as a facilitator of youth peer circles, transportation to events, and outings, and much more.
“She is overflowing in her generosity whether through her time, her patience, her ability to be a steady container for youth voices,” said Blackburn at the event. “Youth love her and have handpicked her as their trusted adult. Thank you so much Tina.”
“I feel very honored to be involved with CultureSeed,” said Nakake, “I know it’s still a little bit off the radar, but it is a phenomenal program working to really support youth, get them outside and do really amazing things to help them with their mental health and grow as leaders. It's phenomenal. Colton has created quite the amazing group of people. I feel honored to be a part of it. I really do.”
Blackburn called the second Volunteer of the Year a “Quiet leader in the community.”
Bruce Holmson has been in the Hood River Christmas Project for over 30 years. He will retire from this board position in 2024 but plans to stay active. He started volunteering in the early 1990s, packing food boxes and became the food coordinator and then stepped up to chair the board.
“He always leads with compassion, even after the project's official days before Christmas, he can be found helping families who did not register are in need, delivering food boxes and toys to Parkdale, Odell, or Cascade locks,” said Blackburn.
“Our community is just amazing. They really have our backs and support us and because of them we are able to do what we do,” said Holmson.
The Hood River Christmas Project will be celebrating 100 years of service to the community this Christmas.
