Church of the Transfiguration gives $16,000

Sisters Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration is distributing $16,000 to local non-profit organizations.

"This year's distribution has set a new record for the church's annual outreach program, well above last year's contributions of $13,500," church officials stated.

Funds were raised in August at the church's annual country fair and art sale. All of the proceeds raised from these events are filtered back into the community through the church's donations to local agencies.

"The art sale was a little disappointing this year, although we've heard from several art galleries that they're not doing all that well this year either. We know from our history that some venues are up and some are down and it just changes year to year," said Frank Guthrie, Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration's Outreach Committee Chairman. "Our silent auction was very good this year, in part because we put more emphasis on it and in part because we had some very, very nice donations...."

Organizations receiving funds this year are: the Arts Discovery Program at Sisters Middle School, $1,000; Bend's Bethlehem Inn, $500; Saving Grace (formerly Central Oregon Battering and Rape Alliance - COBRA), $1,000; Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, $1,000; Medical Teams International Mobile Dental Van through FAN (Family Access Network), $300; Family Access Network, (FAN ), $1,300; Family Christmas Food Vouchers, (a program through the the church that provides four $50 food vouchers to local families in need), $200.

Other donations include: Sisters Habitat for Humanity, $1,000; Healthy Beginnings, $300; Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of Central Oregon (IVC), $1,500; NeighborImpact, Emergency Services, $1,000; Neighbor-Impact, Head Start, $2,000; Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank, $1,100; Sisters SMART (Start Making A Reader Today), $500; SOAR, (Sisters Organization for Activities and Recreation), $1,000; Sisters Senior Council Feasibility Study, $400; TFC, (Together For Children), $1,200; Women's Resource Center, $700 (pledge).

According to Guthrie the outreach committee added two new agencies to its group of recipients this year. For the first time the church is providing funding to the Sisters Senior Council. The committee also approved funding for the Women's Resource Center.

Guthrie cautioned that the funding for this organization is in the form of a pledge.

"It basically says: 'If you fulfill your plan to come to the Sisters area..., we pledge the $700 that you say it will cost.' Through the funding the Women's Resource Center will bring a six-week course to Sisters in February or March. The course will provide education through training and life skills to help women navigate through life's changes. "Five specific low-income women have been identified, people who can't pay for the class, and that's who we're hoping to help," said Guthrie.

Each agency supported by the church's outreach program has a champion who serves as an advocate for the cause.

"There needs to be somebody who will step up and say: 'I believe in this cause, and I will make the connections necessary. I will fill out an information form, and I will come to the meetings and try to make a sale to the team that this is a worthwhile cause,'" said Guthrie.

During its 12-year history Sisters Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration's Country Fair and Art Show have generated more than $75,000 to support community outreach projects.

For additional information about the church's outreach program contact Guthrie through the church at 549-7087.