The last two weeks of the year is a time when a lot of people are making donations to support the organizations whose work they value. And this year, Oregon Wild is once again honored to be in the Willamette Week’s annual Give!Guide along with 149 other amazing non-profits who make Oregon such an amazing place.

You already know how much we care about protecting Oregon’s wildlands, wildlife, and waters. But with so many great groups to choose from (and you really can’t go wrong supporting any of them), here are some of the other Give!Guide organizations that Oregon Wild staff are supporting with their personal year-end giving.

Danielle Moser, Wildlife Program Coordinator:

For someone who has lived abroad and immersed myself in a culture and community that is completely unfamiliar, I have tremendous respect and empathy for immigrants and refugees trying to navigate life in America. IRCO, the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization, is the premier non-profit working to help those families who are transitioning to a new way of life. Through community services, job placement, education, and more, IRCO ensures that our community's new arrivals are equipped and supported as they adjust to a new culture. 

I first became aware of IRCO when I was looking for a way to use my skills in Swahili to help youth from East Africa. While volunteering with the Africa House, I was able to see firsthand the love, attention, and empathy that all of the staff embody, and was really inspired. There is a deep sense of compassion at this organization, which is why I have chosen to donate to them through this year’s Give!Guide. I want to see IRCO continue to do remarkable things to help those from around the world feel welcomed and part of the Portland community.

If you feel similarly, please donate here. 

Jamie Dawson, Membership Manager:

Like many folks, I constantly find myself wondering about the next generation of environmentalists. I have a multitude of concerns, but they could be summarized as: Will they spend enough time not looking at screens to know a degraded ecosystem when they see it? To know the difference between an egret and a Sandhill Crane? Will they ever see a true old growth forest?

Will they even care about any of this? 

Lucky for me, the questions that keep me up at night have a clear answer: Ecology in Classrooms and Outdoors (ECO). I gave to ECO through the 2017 Give!Guide because I feel that they provide an essential service to our kids. By bringing outdoor and experiential learning into our schools, they are ensuring that the next generation of conservationists are getting a head start. 

At the end of the day, there is always hope in the next generation, and I am grateful to ECO for the work they do. You can donate to ECO today by clicking here.