Clackamas Emergency Services Foundation Makes Two Donations To Philanthropic Organizations

OREGON CITY, OR — The Clackamas Emergency Services Foundation made two donations totaling $7,000 this month to two philanthropic organizations whose missions are simply to help others.

To Meg's Moments, a Canby-based non-profit, the Foundation gave $3,000 to purchase life jackets. And to the Pioneer Pantry at Oregon City High School, the Foundation gave $4,000. Both donations will go toward assisting the organizations continue their respective missions.

Meg's Moments was created to honor the life of Meagan O'Meara Clark, a 26-year-old woman who drowned while out rafting the Clackamas River on July 5, 2013. According to the family, Clark might have lived if she'd been wearing a life jacket on the fateful day she was drug under whirlpool-like water. So to honor her life and help prevent any similar tragedies in the future, Meg's Moments has given away life jackets every year to anyone who needs one.

According to Clackamas Fire District #1 spokesman Steve Hoffeditz, Meg's Moments will continue to give away life jackets "in loving memory of our beautiful daughter, Megan O'Meara Clark," Brinda Doyle, Clark's mom and founder of Meg's Moments, said in a statement. Meg's Moments does not "want any other family to experience the pain from the loss of a loved one when it can be prevented by simply wearing a life jacket. Life jackets save lives," she said.

Beginning at 10 a.m. July 1 at Barton Park, 19009 S.E. Barton Park Rd. in Boring, Meg's Moments and the Clackamas Fire District's Station 8 Water Rescue Team will distribute the life jackets and provide water and boating safety tips, as well as education on the importance of wearing a life preserver.

The annual event sees hundreds of people receive life jackets, which are purchased with donated funds from the Clackamas community and beyond, including the Clackamas Emergency Services Foundation. Last year, Hoffeditz said, more than 500 life jackets were given out in just a few hours.

The Pioneer Pantry at Oregon City High School provides food for homeless and students who are otherwise food insecure by offering backpacks of food for the weekend, with two breakfasts and lunches, and one bigger meal with protein, fruit, two juices, snacks, and treats, Hoffeditz said.

The Foundation's $4,000 donation will toward the pantry's overall goal of $29,700, which could support the pantry for the 2017-2018 school year.

For more information on the Pioneer Pantry, call Renee Elting at 971-563-6737, or email nohungerinoc@orecity.k12.or.us.

Photo Courtesy: Clackamas Fire District #1, "Meg's Moments accepting the check at Station 8. From left to right: Captain Jason Ellison; Firefighter Josh Tyler; Firefighter Dustin Mauck; Foundation President Don Trotter; Meg's Moments Rob O'Meara, Brinda Doyle, and Chelsey Harp; Chief Fred Charlton, and Apparatus Operator David Elle."