FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Every Child Central Oregon Kicks Off National Foster Care Awareness Month  Fundraiser Activities, Including Summer Shoe Drive for Local Youth

‘Sole’ purpose? Collecting 400 pairs of new shoes to meet Central Oregon Need

REDMOND, Ore., May 5, 2021 — Last year, approximately 400 youth within Crook, Jefferson and Deschutes Counties, as well as The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, spent at least one night in foster care. Expecting numbers to exceed that 2021 figure, Every Child Central Oregon (ECCO) is asking people region-wide to donate new shoes, which will go directly to kids impacted by foster care.

“An essential need for all children, new, quality shoes immediately give youth in foster care some hope—they feel cared for and supported,” says Melissa Williams, director of ECCO, a regional nonprofit that mobilizes community to help address Central Oregon’s foster care challenges.

ECCO has kicked off the drive and other fundraising activities this May, timing it to coincide with National Foster Care Awareness Month. Local businesses throughout Central Oregon have stepped up to help.

“As a trusted community bank and partner, we understand the importance of supporting our children and championing efforts like the Shoe Drive for Every Child Central Oregon,” said Jamie Rockafellor, Retail Hub Manager for First Interstate Bank in Redmond. “We are humbled and honored to participate in this impactful event. Hats-off to all the volunteers and staff with the Shoe Drive working to support and celebrate children in our community.”

The shoe collection bins, placed at 11 First Interstate Banks throughout the region, plus other businesses, are located as follows:

Redmond: Proust Coffee (235 SW 6th Street); SCP Redmond Hotel (521 SW 6th Street);

First Interstate Bank (154 SW 6th Street)

Bend: Elite Medi Spa/Drew Family Dentistry (same building, 2215 NW Shevlin Park Road, Ste 100); The Haven Co-working Space, (1001 SW Disk Drive); Thump Coffee, (25 NW Minnesota Ave. and 549 NW York Drive, Ste 200); and six First Interstate Bank locations (1700 NE 3rd Street, 1100 NW Wall Street, 2630 NE Hwy 20, 200 SW Century Drive, 61250 S HWY 97, and 1070 NW Bond Street)