HERMISTON, Ore.-Community groups, schools, nonprofits, and individuals working to make a positive difference in Umatilla County were recognized at Amazon’s Community Fund Celebration at the Hermiston Community Center on July 16.
“Having a neighbor, partner, and friend like Amazon has been incredible for the whole county,” said Umatilla County Commissioner Dan Dorran. “Amazon very quietly understands, respects, rewards, and responds to the needs of Umatilla County.”
The Amazon Eastern Oregon Community Fund provides grants, ranging from $500 to $10,000, in support of local community groups, schools, nonprofits, and individuals whose projects are working for positive change in communities where Amazon operates.
Managed in partnership with the non-profit organization ChangeX, the fund awards grants across themes including education, sustainability, health and wellbeing, STEM, culture and heritage, and hunger.
“This funding goes directly into the hands of people who make this community great, it’s grassroots, local, and driven by you,” said AWS Operations Leader Jordan Richards. “These recipients saw a need and stepped up. Thank you for what you do for the community.”
This funding cycle, Amazon awarded a total of $350,000 to 53 organizations and individual projects in Morrow and Umatilla Counties.
One of the many organizations recognized was Sweet Potato’s Closet, a Hermiston-based nonprofit that provides essential items, resources and support to foster families and at-risk youth.
“Amazon has done an incredible job of giving back,” said Jessie Miller, Founder and Director of Sweet Potato’s Closet. “They have given us several grants, and it continues to have a long-term impact on our community. It really speaks to the type of organization Amazon is striving to be by giving back to their local communities.”
With its grant, Sweet Potato’s Closet filled totes with household goods and delivered them to 87 foster families in Umatilla and Morrow Counties and was also able to upgrade its technology to serve more families and pursue additional grant opportunities.
Umatilla County Amazon Community Fund grant recipients
- Adan User
- Altrusa International of Pendleton
- Athena-Weston School District Land Lab
- Austin Erickson
- Bio-Waste Technologies, LLC
- Community Development Partnership
- Eastern Oregon First-Responders Chaplain Association
- Eastern Oregon Women’s Business Lab
- Felony Records Hub
- First Nations Veterinary
- Hand & Feet, Inc
- Hermiston High School
- Hermiston Kiwanis Club
- Hermiston Parks and Recreation
- Hermiston Rotary Club
- Hiroko Yoshinaga
- Knights of Pythias
- Loriah Sorensen
- Marilyn Anderson
- Nixyaawii Community School
- Oregon Washington Health Network
- Pendleton Artisan Network
- Pioneer Relief Nursery
- Scouting America Troop 700-First Presbyterian Church of Pendleton
- Anthony Hospital Foundation
- Sweet Potato’s Closet
- The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
- Thomas Vannice
- Thought Bubblez, Inc
- Umatilla County Historical Society
- Umatilla County Master Gardeners Association
- Umatilla Morrow County Head Start
- Umatilla School District
Applications for the next round of Amazon Community Fund grants are currently open. The deadline for applying is September 4.
More information on the Amazon Community Fund and the application process is available online.
