BOARDMAN, Ore.-Several community groups, organizations, nonprofits, and individuals working to make a difference in Morrow County were recognized at Amazon’s Community Fund Celebration at the SAGE Center on July 15.
“We’re here to recognize great people and projects,” said Ben Harvey, Amazon Community Engagement Manager for Eastern Oregon. “Those celebrated today should be proud, their projects stood out, they identified a need, and their commitment clearly impacted the community.”
Now in its fifth year, the Amazon Eastern Oregon Community Fund provides grants, ranging from $500 to $10,000 in support of projects working for positive change in the communities Amazon is a part of.
“We’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand through the Amazon Community Fund and the ChangeX program that these aren’t just grants; they’re opportunities for local people to take an idea that benefits their neighbors and turn it into something real,” said Torrie Griggs, CEO of the Boardman Chamber of Commerce. “Whether it’s creating more opportunities for youth, supporting our seniors, improving public spaces, or bringing people together through community projects, these investments have made a difference.”
According to Amazon, over 200 projects focused on education, sustainability, health and wellbeing, STEM, culture and heritage, hunger relief, and more have been funded in Umatilla and Morrow Counties since the Community Fund began.
This year, grant recipients in Morrow County included the Boardman Farmer’s Market, Inland Northwest Musicians, Lexington Fire and Rescue, the SAGE Center, and many more.
For Inland Northwest Musicians, a regional orchestra and chorale, the funding will help them continue to share their joy of music by bringing performances to small communities across Northeast Oregon.
“We’re proponents of the idea that we must help ourselves and others,” said R. Lee Friese, with INW. “This funding allows us to go and serve the community.”
Morrow County Amazon Community Fund grant recipients
- Boardman Farmer’s Market
- Boardman Park and Recreation District
- Heppner Day Care, Inc
- Heppner Veterans Day Celebration/Jean Collins
- Ina Abercrombie
- Inland Northwest Musicians
- Irrigon Junior/Senior High School
- L-APS, Inc. (Learning, Living and Loving After/Along With Programs)
- Lexington Fire and Rescue
- Morrow County Health District
- Morrow Discovery Center
- Neiffer Ranch
- Riverside Business Department
- Riverside Junior/Senior High School
- Sage Center
- Sagebrush Theater Project
- Sam Boardman Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization
- South Morrow County Seniors Matter (SMCSM)
- Students Without Limits
Submissions are currently open for the next round of Amazon Community Fund grants. The deadline for applying is September 4.
More information on the Amazon Community Fund and the application process is available online.
