FAN honors long-time contributors

Theresa Slavkovsky and Dawn Cooper of Sisters Family Access Network (FAN) recognized two pairs of long-time FAN volunteers/contributors at last week's meeting of the Sisters School Board.

"We would like to honor four of our long-term volunteers for their outstanding and charitable to our Sisters community," said Slavkovsky.

The first honorees were Wayne and Luann Danforth. In spring of 2002 these recent retirees and new Crossroads residents heard about a Columbia Sportswear program that allowed non-profits to pick up returns, damaged and remaindered clothing at the shipyard in Portland at no charge. Many of the items had never been used.

For the past 11 years, the Danforths, with the help of some friends, have been repairing, sorting and packing these items for distribution by FAN to families in need.

Since the beginning of this program, some 6,000 warm winter coats have been distributed: That is 550 coats per year that were picked up, repaired, washed and sorted.

"We honor you as generous, thoughtful, and kind heroes in our community," said Cooper.

Meanwhile, in 2001 Jack Berry from the Sisters VFW Post requested help from FAN to support the VFW's program for delivering firewood to the elderly and veterans in the Sisters area. Several local groups stepped in to help at that time, but were soon overwhelmed by the task.

In 2005, Roger and Dixie Fairfield made a connection to FAN through the men's program at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration. They were interested in volunteering. They took on the firewood program. Since then, Roger and Dixie and a number of recruited friends have spent their retirement cutting, splitting, stacking and delivering firewood to many in need in Sisters Country.

The Fairfields have also developed a partnership with the Deschutes County Juvenile Department to allow supervised kids to work in the woodlot in the summer to stack and load wood.

To date the Fairfields and their friends have delivered about 265 cords of wood, or about 33 cords of wood per season.

"Warming on the order of 825 people in the last eight years," said Cooper, "Roger and Dixie are incredible, thoughtful and kind superheroes, and we thank you."

FAN advocates help families connect to and navigate the often confusing social service system. Contributions are always welcome.