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News Release

10-14-26 Commissioners Celebrate Community Service Month And Make A Difference Day In Douglas County (Photo) - 10/14/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 14, 2026 

 

Commissioners Celebrate Community Service Month and Make a Difference Day in Douglas County

 

            (Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice, and Tim Freeman issued a proclamation today at the Weekly Business Meeting calling upon all citizens of Douglas County to observe October as Community Service Month and Make a Difference Day, which is celebrated every year on the fourth Saturday of October.  The proclamation was presented by Commissioner Boice, on behalf of the Board and acknowledged that “Since 1992 October has been widely recognized as Community Service Month, celebrating the spirit of volunteerism, grassroots involvement, and the countless individuals who give their time, talents, and resources to strengthen communities across the nation.  National Make a Difference Day, also observed annually on the fourth Saturday of October, brings people together through volunteer service and community projects that address local needs and create positive, lasting impacts.”  A copy of the video presentation can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.

 

            “Today, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners recognize October as Community Service Month and Saturday, October 24, 2026, as Make a Difference Day in Douglas County.  Our proclamation celebrates the individuals, families, businesses, schools, civic organizations, and community groups who give their time and talents to help others. Their volunteer efforts strengthen our communities, support our neighbors, and remind us that even small acts of kindness can make a lasting difference.  We encourage everyone to find a way to get involved and make a difference right here in Douglas County,” stated Board Chair, Commissioner Tom Kress.

 

            Commissioners honored the work being done by our local Make a Difference Day campaign committee, their community partners, volunteers, and project sites.  Make a Difference Day – Douglas County will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, and marks the fifth annual day of service in Douglas County.  Since 1992, Make A Difference Day has been recognized in October as a national holiday dedicated to volunteering.  It is the largest National Day of Community Service in the United States and is a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors.  In Douglas County, several non-profit organizations, area businesses, and faith-based community groups came together with the hope of revitalizing the spirit of volunteerism in Douglas County. This year they have secured 15 project sites with over 300 volunteers needed to serve.  Commissioner Boice presented Make a Difference Day proclamation certificates to the Make a Difference Day – Douglas County Committee Chair Jerry Medlar, as well as attending planning committee members, service groups, support agencies, volunteers, and project location site representatives.  In addition to Jerry, those honored in attendance today included: Valerie Munyon, Jane Maritz, Julia Anselmo, Chelsea Duncan, Ken Madison, Captain Richard Mabie, Natasha Fischer, Bonnie Winterstein, Russ Winterstein, Autumn O’Donnell, Tammy Rucker, Dee Jay, Christina Rammage, Melissa Owens, Joshua Sturholm, Cyn Demers, Tracy David, Shane Russell, Scott Beery, and Nicole Johnson.

 

“I sincerely appreciate all that you and your organizations do.  You literally do – Make a Difference!   This project was brought to my attention several years ago by Tim Juett and some folks that recognized the importance of volunteerism throughout our community.  They recognized that we have a fair amount of that activity going on already and wanted to organize a way to recognize those efforts but also to match the volunteer spirit with projects in the community that needed to be done.  This group was born out of that brilliant idea a few years ago.  It is our pleasure to have you all here today to recognize and thank you for all that you do,” commented Commissioner Boice.

 

2026 Make a Difference Day – Douglas County Planning Committee Members: Jerry Medler-Chair; Tim Juett-Former Chair/Founder; Bonnie Winterstein-JustServe.org; Chelsea Duncan-Roseburg School District; Julia Anselmo–UCAN; Rebecca Warren–Thrive Umpqua; Jane Maritz–Sunrise Enterprises; Ken Madison-Community Member; Billie Maddux–Kiwanis of Roseburg; Tracie Maddux-Kiwanis of Roseburg; Shane Russell-Community Member; Madonna Escoto-Greater Douglas United Way; Edith Dye-Mabie-Salvation Army; and Richard Mabie–Salvation Army.

 

2025 Make a Difference Day – Douglas County Project Locations & Project Lead: HIV Alliance (Dane Zahne); Family Search Center/LDS Church (Mike Schofield); Umpqua Valley Habitat for Humanity (Scott Beery); Sleep in Heavenly Peace/Lowes (Dee Jay); Green Elementary (Tammy Rasmussen); Saving Grace Humane Society (Valerie Munyon & Joshua Sturholm); Fremont Middle School (Meghan Pirtle); Festival of Lights/Roseburg Rotary (Amy Taylor); City of Reedsport Parks/Beautification Committee (Dr. Ian Coe); Roseburg VA Medical Center (Traci Palmer); Sunrise Enterprises (Jane Maritz); The Paw Patch/Glide Elementary (Tammy Rucker); City of Roseburg Parks & Recreation (Tracy David); Triple Oak Vineyard LLC (Betty Tamm/Geoff Faraghan); and Phoenix School of Roseburg (Joy Whitcomb).

 

“Thank you, Commissioners, for your continuing support of Make a Difference Day – it’s great!  Make a Difference Day Douglas County is about helping the community to be a better place to live, through working together as citizens.  We appreciate everybody that helps – all organizations and all the people that come out and help.  It does make a difference even if you only donate three hours of your time,”  remarked Jerry Medler, 2026 Make a Difference Day – Douglas County Committee Chair. 

 

Make a Difference Day – Douglas County is still in need of volunteers for October 24, 2026, for the 15 project locations!  The Commissioners invite our residents to sign up and join the cause as they celebrate the spirit of volunteerism and make improvements in our county. For more information or to sign up to volunteer visit their website at: https://makeadifferenceday.org/ or call (541) 492-3523 or email info@makeadifferenceday.org. 

 

“Thank you, Commissioners, for this incredible honor to stand here today and accept this proclamation on behalf of Lowe’s and Sleep in Heavenly Peace.  We are deeply humbled.  When you look around Douglas County it is easy to see that not every child goes to sleep safe, warm and secure.  There is a silent hidden crisis going on behind closed doors – child bed lessness.  Sleep in Heavenly Peace started because one man refused to look the other way.  Today that single bed project has grown into an international movement with hundreds of chapters.  And today, Douglas County is officially part of that story. When we deliver a bed, we aren’t just delivering wood and a mattress, we are delivering hope, security and a message to that child that their community cares about them.  Your proclamation is a beautiful milestone, but our work is far from over.  As long as there is a child sleeping on a floor, a couch or a pile of blankets, we have a job to do.  We accept this honor today not as a reflection of what we have doe, but as a promise of what we will continue to do,” stated Dee Jay, Sleep in Heavenly Peace – Umpqua Valley.     

 

The proclamation presented today is a reminder and encouragement for our residents to volunteer in our community with service projects that make Douglas County a better place to live, work and play.

 

###

 

Media Contact:     Tamara Howell, Lead Public Information Officer | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.us

 

Proclamation and Photo Collage Attached. Photos © K.Rodriguez/Douglas County. 

Attached Media Files: MDD-Month-Community-Service-Proclamation.png, 2026-MDD-Proclamation-Signed.jpg,

10-14-26 Commissioners Celebrate Community Service Month And Make A Difference Day In Douglas County (Photo) - 10/14/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 14, 2026 

 

Commissioners Celebrate Community Service Month and Make a Difference Day in Douglas County

 

            (Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice, and Tim Freeman issued a proclamation today at the Weekly Business Meeting calling upon all citizens of Douglas County to observe October as Community Service Month and Make a Difference Day, which is celebrated every year on the fourth Saturday of October.  The proclamation was presented by Commissioner Boice, on behalf of the Board and acknowledged that “Since 1992 October has been widely recognized as Community Service Month, celebrating the spirit of volunteerism, grassroots involvement, and the countless individuals who give their time, talents, and resources to strengthen communities across the nation.  National Make a Difference Day, also observed annually on the fourth Saturday of October, brings people together through volunteer service and community projects that address local needs and create positive, lasting impacts.”  A copy of the video presentation can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.

 

            “Today, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners recognize October as Community Service Month and Saturday, October 24, 2026, as Make a Difference Day in Douglas County.  Our proclamation celebrates the individuals, families, businesses, schools, civic organizations, and community groups who give their time and talents to help others. Their volunteer efforts strengthen our communities, support our neighbors, and remind us that even small acts of kindness can make a lasting difference.  We encourage everyone to find a way to get involved and make a difference right here in Douglas County,” stated Board Chair, Commissioner Tom Kress.

 

            Commissioners honored the work being done by our local Make a Difference Day campaign committee, their community partners, volunteers, and project sites.  Make a Difference Day – Douglas County will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, and marks the fifth annual day of service in Douglas County.  Since 1992, Make A Difference Day has been recognized in October as a national holiday dedicated to volunteering.  It is the largest National Day of Community Service in the United States and is a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors.  In Douglas County, several non-profit organizations, area businesses, and faith-based community groups came together with the hope of revitalizing the spirit of volunteerism in Douglas County. This year they have secured 15 project sites with over 300 volunteers needed to serve.  Commissioner Boice presented Make a Difference Day proclamation certificates to the Make a Difference Day – Douglas County Committee Chair Jerry Medlar, as well as attending planning committee members, service groups, support agencies, volunteers, and project location site representatives.  In addition to Jerry, those honored in attendance today included: Valerie Munyon, Jane Maritz, Julia Anselmo, Chelsea Duncan, Ken Madison, Captain Richard Mabie, Natasha Fischer, Bonnie Winterstein, Russ Winterstein, Autumn O’Donnell, Tammy Rucker, Dee Jay, Christina Rammage, Melissa Owens, Joshua Sturholm, Cyn Demers, Tracy David, Shane Russell, Scott Beery, and Nicole Johnson.

 

“I sincerely appreciate all that you and your organizations do.  You literally do – Make a Difference!   This project was brought to my attention several years ago by Tim Juett and some folks that recognized the importance of volunteerism throughout our community.  They recognized that we have a fair amount of that activity going on already and wanted to organize a way to recognize those efforts but also to match the volunteer spirit with projects in the community that needed to be done.  This group was born out of that brilliant idea a few years ago.  It is our pleasure to have you all here today to recognize and thank you for all that you do,” commented Commissioner Boice.

 

2026 Make a Difference Day – Douglas County Planning Committee Members: Jerry Medler-Chair; Tim Juett-Former Chair/Founder; Bonnie Winterstein-JustServe.org; Chelsea Duncan-Roseburg School District; Julia Anselmo–UCAN; Rebecca Warren–Thrive Umpqua; Jane Maritz–Sunrise Enterprises; Ken Madison-Community Member; Billie Maddux–Kiwanis of Roseburg; Tracie Maddux-Kiwanis of Roseburg; Shane Russell-Community Member; Madonna Escoto-Greater Douglas United Way; Edith Dye-Mabie-Salvation Army; and Richard Mabie–Salvation Army.

 

2025 Make a Difference Day – Douglas County Project Locations & Project Lead: HIV Alliance (Dane Zahne); Family Search Center/LDS Church (Mike Schofield); Umpqua Valley Habitat for Humanity (Scott Beery); Sleep in Heavenly Peace/Lowes (Dee Jay); Green Elementary (Tammy Rasmussen); Saving Grace Humane Society (Valerie Munyon & Joshua Sturholm); Fremont Middle School (Meghan Pirtle); Festival of Lights/Roseburg Rotary (Amy Taylor); City of Reedsport Parks/Beautification Committee (Dr. Ian Coe); Roseburg VA Medical Center (Traci Palmer); Sunrise Enterprises (Jane Maritz); The Paw Patch/Glide Elementary (Tammy Rucker); City of Roseburg Parks & Recreation (Tracy David); Triple Oak Vineyard LLC (Betty Tamm/Geoff Faraghan); and Phoenix School of Roseburg (Joy Whitcomb).

 

“Thank you, Commissioners, for your continuing support of Make a Difference Day – it’s great!  Make a Difference Day Douglas County is about helping the community to be a better place to live, through working together as citizens.  We appreciate everybody that helps – all organizations and all the people that come out and help.  It does make a difference even if you only donate three hours of your time,”  remarked Jerry Medler, 2026 Make a Difference Day – Douglas County Committee Chair. 

 

Make a Difference Day – Douglas County is still in need of volunteers for October 24, 2026, for the 15 project locations!  The Commissioners invite our residents to sign up and join the cause as they celebrate the spirit of volunteerism and make improvements in our county. For more information or to sign up to volunteer visit their website at: https://makeadifferenceday.org/ or call (541) 492-3523 or email info@makeadifferenceday.org. 

 

“Thank you, Commissioners, for this incredible honor to stand here today and accept this proclamation on behalf of Lowe’s and Sleep in Heavenly Peace.  We are deeply humbled.  When you look around Douglas County it is easy to see that not every child goes to sleep safe, warm and secure.  There is a silent hidden crisis going on behind closed doors – child bed lessness.  Sleep in Heavenly Peace started because one man refused to look the other way.  Today that single bed project has grown into an international movement with hundreds of chapters.  And today, Douglas County is officially part of that story. When we deliver a bed, we aren’t just delivering wood and a mattress, we are delivering hope, security and a message to that child that their community cares about them.  Your proclamation is a beautiful milestone, but our work is far from over.  As long as there is a child sleeping on a floor, a couch or a pile of blankets, we have a job to do.  We accept this honor today not as a reflection of what we have doe, but as a promise of what we will continue to do,” stated Dee Jay, Sleep in Heavenly Peace – Umpqua Valley.     

 

The proclamation presented today is a reminder and encouragement for our residents to volunteer in our community with service projects that make Douglas County a better place to live, work and play.

 

###

 

Media Contact:     Tamara Howell, Lead Public Information Officer | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.us

 

Proclamation and Photo Collage Attached. Photos © K.Rodriguez/Douglas County. 

Attached Media Files: MDD-Month-Community-Service-Proclamation.png, 2026-MDD-Proclamation-Signed.jpg,