The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

SOAR (Sisters Organization for Activities & Recreation) has created a new way for businesses to support the organization. In its new business partners program, Sisters area businesses give ongoing donations to SOAR that are not restricted to a specific use.

The owner and staff of Community Mortgage Services (CMS), a long-time supporter of SOAR, were thinking along the same lines so they became SOAR’s first business partner. Last week, CMS gave $500 to SOAR. This is the result of CMS’s decision to give $50 for each loan closed in the Sisters area.

The gift from Community Mortgage Services is not restricted to a specific program. CMS did not put any limits on their donation, deciding that SOAR knew best how the money should be used. CMS plans to continue their donating each month hoping that it will provide a stable source of regular funding.

“We loved it. It helps give SOAR an ongoing base of support,” said SOAR’s Executive Director Carrie Ward.

Ward said many donors give to a specific program or give at the end of the year. So unrestricted, ongoing donations are “really great.”

CMS chose SOAR because so many children benefit from SOAR programs. SOAR offers everything from dance and Taekwondo to canoeing and skateboarding.

A CMS representative said the less time SOAR needs to spend raising funds, the more time they will have to focus on other administrative duties and the more money they will have to put back into the building, staff and programs.

“Our hope is that community members will think of the benefits to SOAR when they need financing to purchase a primary or investment home, need to refinance, get a second mortgage, or a half dozen other scenarios in the mortgage world that we can help with,” said Kathy Kemper-Green, Marketing Specialist with Community Mortgage Services.

Ward called CMS “front-runners” and is working to interest more Sisters businesses in the new business partners program.