Tenacious nonprofits build strong communities
Our community is growing, and it’s growing stronger. No matter the challenge, the people we serve have proven, time and again, just how tenacious and resilient our community can be. OCCU is proud to spotlight some of the nonprofits we have partnered with.
Please join us as we support the important work of our nonprofit partners.
January
Springfield Alliance for Equity and Respect (SAfER): MLK Jr. Celebration – Jan. 15
SAfER is a Community Alliance of Lane County (CALC) program whose mission is to promote human rights, respond when abuses of human dignity occur and urge public institutions to address social justice concerns. One way SAfER brings diversity, equity and inclusion education to schools and community members in the Springfield area is its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. student contest, community march and celebration, of which OCCU is a proud sponsor. Students write speeches in memory and celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy.
February
American Heart Association Kids Heart Challenge
OCCU Foundation is sponsoring two American Heart Association school programs known as the Kids Heart Challenge this month in Roseburg. As a local sponsor and partner of the American Heart Association (AHA), OCCU Foundation is supporting AHA's mission to strengthen the overall health and wellbeing of our community while contributing to the prevention of heart disease and stroke.
Kids Heart Challenge meets the changing needs of today’s youth and educators with a focus on whole-body wellness. Together, we will challenge students to commit to heart-healthy habits like exercising daily, eating more fruits and vegetables and choosing water over soda. AHA will also address the important role mental health plays in overall well-being through activities like loving-kindness meditations, yoga and daily affirmations.
March
Dodge for a Cause – March 2
OCCU is once again sponsoring Relief Nursery's yearly dodgeball tournament, Dodge for a Cause, on Saturday, March 2, at the Kidsports Fieldhouse in Eugene. All proceeds from the tournament help fund an entire year of parenting education at Relief Nursery, providing critical support services to families in our community.
Relief Nursery programs serve over 400 families each month and over 900 families each year in Lane County.
April
22nd Annual Dolores Huerta / Cesar Chavez celebration
The annual Dolores Huerta / Cesar Chavez Celebration honors human rights leaders Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez. The event is hosted by Springfield Public Schools with the Springfield Alliance for Equity and Respect (SAfER). OCCU is a proud supporter of the event and has funded the Huerta/Chavez Celebration for more than 10 years.
Eugene Marathon 5k and Kids Duck Dash
OCCU is proud to partner with the Eugene Marathon again this year to bring the Eugene 5K and Kids Duck Dash to our community.
May
United Way BookFest
According to United Way of Lane County, 60% of Lane County third graders are not reading proficiently. In response, United Way is teaming up with the Early Childhood Hub of Lane County, and Connected Lane County to host BookFest, a community-wide program to K-2 students build their home libraries, maintain reading gains over the summer and help them improve their reading scores.
