Message from the State Deputy on the Wildfires

Brothers,

We were all worried about COVID-19 then the wildfire hits.  This has been a very tough month for our Brothers, Families, Catholic Communities, and fellow Oregonians. With the current situation of the forest & grass fires destroying homes, businesses, and with at least nine people have died in these wildfires burning in Detroit, Gates, Indaha, Lyons, Mehana, Mill City, Sublimity, Aumsville, Silverton, Mt. Angel, Salem, Diamond Lake, Illinois Valley, Ashland, Phoenix, Talent, Medford, Eagle Point, Glide, Oregon City, Molalla, Colton, Forest Grove, Henry Hagg Lake,  Roy, McKenzie in Springfield/Eugene area, Mapleton, Lincoln City, and Otis.    All councils and members need to be prepared to help our communities in these cities. Please read any of the information coming in from the Executive Secretary Stephen Radel or calls from the State Officers during the next two to four months. I am currently working with the Supreme Office and Territorial Growth Director Bob Kish and they have been extremely helpful in navigating me to help obtain information on how to get help to those areas hit the hardest.  Many thanks to the State Officers Francis Mohr, Sid Thiel, Steve Steele, Tom Radel, Ken Anderson, District Deputies and Grand Knights for their help in finding out how our councils and districts are doing and how many brothers and their families are affected.

 

If you would like to donate to help the members and fellow Oregonians who were displaced and affected by these fires. Please send your checks to Oregon State K of C Charities, c/o State Secretary Sid Thiel, 17180 SW Smith Ave #83, Sherwood, OR 97140.  100% of your charitable contribution will go directly to those affected areas of the wildfires and note that your donation is tax deductible.  Please note on the check that the contribution you are making is for the Oregon wildfire.

 

If you would like to help serve or donate supplies, please send these items to the following locations.  Please contact everyone noted below prior to doing so to coordinate any help you want to provide.

 

Jackson County - Medford K of C Hall, 772 Black Oak Dr., Medford, OR 97504

Contact – Joe Scheacher (District Deputy #9) - 541-282-4208

Marion County – Anthony Hall, 11758 Sublimity Rd. SE, Sublimity, OR 97385

Contact - Ed Deihl (Grand Knight Council #2439) - 503-510-3415

 

Lane County – United Way of Lane County, 3171 Gateway Loop, Springfield, OR 97477

Contact - Thomas Price (Financial Secretary Council #17442) – 541-554-2581

 

Clackamas County - will be announced very soon.

 

Lincoln County - will be announced very soon.

 

These locations need the following items: personal protection equipment’s, gloves, water, food, toiletries, blankets, clothing, sleeping bags, air mattresses or cots, socks, men’s, women's clothing’s any size, undershirts underwear, feminine hygiene supplies, white tank tops (underwear type), coats, and tents (2-man, 4-man or whatever size).

 

We can overcome these obstacles of COVID-19 and Wildfires if we work together and continue to do the work that the Knights of Columbus in Oregon do. Wear the emblem of the order proudly and let us help our communities and show the State of Oregon the Knights of Columbus will never Leave No Member or Neighbor Behind.

 

Let us pray for some rain or snow to help stop the spread of these wildfire and let us all pray for all the firefighters & volunteers who are risking their lives.  May God give them extra strength and keep them safe.

 

Vivat Jesus,

Ronald Boyce

Ronald Boyce, State Deputy