Thanks to our generous donors, the 2025 Central Oregon Gives Campaign will provide new clothes for 75 local children in need during our upcoming Operation School Bell shopping event. Children select items that fit and reflect their personal style, fostering dignity, confidence, and a sense of belonging. The benefits extend well beyond physical comfort, new clothes nurture emotional well-being, boost self-esteem, improve school attendance, and inspire success in and out of the classroom.

Working with the care facilities, volunteers gathered personalized gift requests—from warm socks and blankets to books and keepsakes—bringing comfort and joy to each recipient. On December 16, the festive “Secret Santa Squad” delivered  405 wrapped gifts to Medicaid patients, ensuring seniors felt remembered and cared for during the holidays.

Now in its third decade, this tradition continues to remind seniors that they are valued members of the community.

Assistance League of Bend and Pine Tavern once again partnered to serve a complimentary breakfast to local foster families. “This is one of the very few programs in Central Oregon that treats the whole foster family, not just the foster child,” said Dana Barron, event organizer. “It is a heartwarming experience to see the joy on the children’s faces when they meet Santa.”

Reservations filled quickly and the event sold out again this year. The general public can participate after the foster family reservations are filled and proceeds from the breakfast help fund the event for the foster families. 

This event has become a much-anticipated and beloved tradition in Bend, with some families returning year after year—like the Hopp family, who have taken part for over 30 years (pictured here).

The benefits extend well beyond physical comfort. New clothes nurture emotional well-being, boost self-esteem, improve school attendance, and inspire success in and out of the classroom.

This year’s event was held on Sunday, October 5, at the Redmond High School. Assistance League members distributed free handmade knitted hats, rice and lavender heat packs, and “knitted knocker” breast prostheses to cancer patients and survivors. They will also took orders for comfort shawls.

“We’re thrilled to support Heaven Can Wait, our members volunteer hundreds of hours throughout the year knitting and crocheting hats, ‘knockers’ and comfort shawls in support of cancer patients. A cancer diagnosis is devastating, and so many of the women we meet are so upbeat and encouraging. We are honored to participate again this year,” said Carol Hastings, Hats and More Committee Chair.

Since its inception, Assistance League of Bend’s Hats and More program has supplied thousands of hats, “knitted knockers,” and comfort shawls to the infusion centers at St. Charles and Summit Health and participants at the annual Heaven Can Wait event. Assistance League members and community volunteers meet to handcraft each item locally.

For more information contact Renata Beck at programs@assistanceleaguebend.org

While Bella Brides has long carried prom gowns alongside their wedding dresses, their local shop is now focusing exclusively on bridal wear. Owner Charlene Burzynski explained the decision to donate:

          “We chose Cinderella’s Closet because we wanted people to be able to enjoy these at no cost. They’re gorgeous dresses, and I just think it would hurt my heart a little bit to give them to Goodwill. I would rather see them here, in             this community, and have our girls be able to use them for next prom season.”

Cinderella’s Closet offers Deschutes County high school students the chance to borrow from a vast selection of hundreds of new and gently used formal dresses, shoes, and accessories for school dances—all free of charge. The program ensures that financial barriers don’t prevent students from attending these special events.

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Assistance League of Bend’s Emergency Clothing Bundles offer immediate comfort and dignity. These bundles contain new clothing essentials to sustain a child during their first 24 hours in care. Each bundle includes a complete outfit, socks, underwear, pajamas, and seasonally appropriate clothes for local weather.

Jill Rutherford of Every Child Central Oregon shared:

“We are deeply grateful for our continued partnership with the Assistance League of Bend. The generous support in providing new, 24-hour clothing bundles ensures that Deschutes County youth entering foster care are met with dignity, comfort, and care from day one. These bundles, filled with essential items like pajamas, undergarments, and a full day’s worth of clothing, make a meaningful difference during an uncertain time. Partnerships like this help us ensure every child feels seen, valued, and supported from the moment they enter care.”

Assistance League of Bend recently delivered 36 bundles, bringing the total to 102 Emergency Clothing Bundles donated this year.

Together with Every Child Central Oregon and in partnership with the Department of Human Services, we remain committed to the flourishing of every child—because every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported.

One visitor shared, “I feel like a princess!”

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, our volunteers collected 250 new dresses and 50 pairs of new shoes ahead of the season, bringing our collection to over 700 dresses for students to borrow.

At Cinderella’s Closet, we believe every student deserves the chance to attend prom with confidence and joy — no matter their circumstances. Thank you to everyone who helped make this season unforgettable!

During the after-school cooking sessions, students participated in a hands-on learning experience, mastering basic culinary techniques alongside essential lessons in kitchen safety and nutrition. The program emphasized the importance of healthy eating habits, with students gaining insights into what constitutes a balanced diet while honing practical skills like knife handling and table setting.

Over the course of four weeks, these aspiring chefs explored a variety of cuisines, including a class on traditional Chinese dishes like fried rice and wonton soup, among others. From chopping and slicing to sautéing and seasoning, each lesson combined culinary education with cultural awareness. One young participant even shared that his favorite part was chopping onions!

To help reinforce healthy eating practices beyond the classroom, each student was gifted a cookbook filled with recipes from the program, complete with valuable tips on food safety and mindful consumption.