The Gift of Time

It was a cold, rainy morning. About 50 volunteers from all over the area gathered in Churchill Forest in Beaverton, wearing a large variety of rain-ready boots, hats, and coats. It was clear we were going to get wet…and muddy!

The hosts of this volunteer event were Friends of Trees and Clean Water Services, two local organizations who protect and maintain local flora and waterways. The purpose of the event, from the Friends of Trees website, was: to restore the Churchill Forest natural area to a diverse and healthy riparian forest and ephemeral wetland. This project is situated at the headwaters of Summer Creek and, while the vast majority of the watershed is developed with roads, homes, and strip malls, the stream itself runs through a well-established vegetated corridor thanks to the work of Clean Water Services and area residents. This project will help to protect the uppermost section of the watershed by planting a wide variety of native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.

In this season of giving, one beautiful gift to offer is the gift of time. A huge thank you to Jillian M. and her family for braving the mud and rain to offer their gift of time last Saturday. I can guarantee the three of them were not this clean by the end of their volunteer session!

If you participated in a family-friendly way to give the gift of time this season that you think others would also enjoy, please pass it along. To me, it is always most joyful to serve alongside friends!

How Is the Pixie Project Using Their Power For Good?

How is the Pixie Project Using Their Power For Good? Written by the 2nd Grade

The Pixie Project gives animals food, care, and water. They also give them a nice home and if they are hurt they give them surgery. They train them. They exercise them by walking them and giving them a chance to run and play. They get pets from other shelters who might not have enough room and they take careful attention to treat them kindly.

They make a video of the pets and it shows how the animal is and how it acts so that people will like them and then people will get interested and then adopt them. When people come to see the animals, they meet someone from The Pixie Project and that person can let them have a play date and get to know the animal.

What Do They Believe?

The Pixie Project believes that all animals need homes. They try to find nice people to take animals who need homes. They help find a good-fit home for the animals there. They believe that all animals should have care and exercise and good food. They believe animals can give humans their love and their respect.

How Can We Help?

We think you can make treats for dogs and cats to put in your Giving Chapel bag. Here is a recipe. This can help the pets by giving them food and helps them exercise because they want the treat! Treats show pets that they did a good job and it shows that they can have nice food and be taken care of. You can put pet supplies like Kong dog or cat toys, tennis balls, or nylon leashes in your Giving Chapel bag. You can talk to your family about whether adopting a pet from the Pixie Project is right for your family.