Catherine Creek Community Center: Updates and Accomplishments
4 minutes ago
5 min read
0
1
0
Advisory Board Update February 2026 Catherine Creek Community Center 667 N Main Street Union, Oregon
Dear Catherine Creek Community Center Members, Partners, and Advisory Board,
As we move further into 2026, the Board of Directors at the Catherine Creek Community Center is pleased to share our latest updates and accomplishments.
Your insight into our local and regional community is vital to the continued success of the Catherine Creek Community Center. Your feedback regarding the following updates and accomplishments ensures that our programs, services, and preservation efforts align with the needs and values of our community.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support. Please provide comments and thoughts to: CCCCenter667@gmail.com
Warm regards,
Friends of the Historic Union Community Hall, Operating the Catherine Creek Community Center
667 N Main Street, Union, Oregon 97883
Compiled by: Cherie Kausler January 15th, 2026
Board of Directors
Donna Beverage now serves as both President and Treasurer.
Geneva Williams continues to lead the Union Food Bank while serving as an active Board Member.
La Von Hall has been diligently collecting historic stories for the Memorial Wall, has provided leadership during the Alumni Breakfast, and has committed to joining the Board of Directors.
Jodi Moore has been active for over two years. She leads the Community Meals program and assists with the Youth Group.
Glennas Orcutt is our newest member of the Board of Directors, and we are excited to bring her aboard!
Cherie Kausler has relocated to Central Oregon but continues to support the organization remotely through grant writing, website management and board participation.
Budget and Financial Overview
Income:
The Parsonage House rental continues to provide sustainable income and is now managed by Eagle Cap Rental Management.
Rental income remains a major funding source.
Fundraisers:
Annual New Year's Event (2025) netted over $400
The spring 2025 Spaghetti Feed brought in over $600.
Fall Potato Feed & Auction: Netted over $1600. Community donations also continue to provide essential support.
Connie Gantz donated several of her Span Family books for sale. The sale of her wonderful local history book has been added to our general fund.
We received a $6,000 General Operation Grant from the Oregon Community Foundation for 2025! This has been an extremely welcome contribution.
Expenses:
Property Insurance is over $9,000 per year. It is easily our largest operational expense.
Loan Payments are approximately $400 per month.
Utilities are consistent in summer months; winter heating can exceed $600/month. We are planning an increase in utilities to match the National trade of a 7% increase
In 2025 Cleaning contractors and program staff have been paid through grant funding.
Estimated Remaining Building Debt:
We managed to pay off our debt to Northeast Oregon Economic Development District in December 2025!! The original loan was $30,000.
Our second loan was originally $50,000, and we currently owe approximately $40,000
Spring 2026 Fundraisers
More information regarding our spring 2026 Auction and Community Feed will be announced shortly.
Website Update
Our website has transitioned to a more cost-effective host and has been updated with new content. Please visit: www.CatherineCreekCommunityCenter.com
Programs and Projects:
Union Food Bank
The Union Food Bank Shed is near completion! Grant funding has been a vital contribution to the project. The project was necessary to address storage and safety concerns. The State of Oregon has seen a 30% increase in visitors in 2024. The project grant funding includes:
Ford Family Foundation – $19,000
Wildhorse Foundation – $1,500
Community Connection of NE Oregon – $8,900
Roundhouse Foundation (cement) – $9,000
Round House Foundation Local Food Grant- $6,000 (for the purchase of food)
Volunteers are needed to complete the project. We need to move four freezers through three doors on one level.
Food Bank visits continue to increase locally and statewide. Volunteers are always needed to pick up, pack, and distribute food. Please consider joining us on the third Friday of each month at 10:00-11:00 to help distribute food to the local community. For more information email ccccenter667@gmail.com. Special thanks to all our amazing Food Bank Volunteers!
Historic Preservation
We are thrilled to announce that the Catherine Creek Community Center has been officially added to the National Register of Historic Places! See the October 30th, 2025 article on Elkhorn Media Group.
Volunteers needed to replace the siding on the north wood stairs leading to the former Pastor's Office and additionally replace the wooden doors to the east side basement.
Youth Programs
The Summer Art Program (funded by the Reser Family Foundation) has been successfully completed. Additionally, the Reser Foundation funded a three-week multi-age music program.
The Youth Group after-school program, funded by the Auzen Foundation, will continue through May 2026.
The Backpack Program provides weekly take-home food to youth
The Home School Art Program continues to operate weekly, during the school year, on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. in partnership with Art Center East
Volunteers will be sought in summer 2026 to continue the Backpack Program as assure the youth have access to take-home food through the summer. All volunteers working with children will be required to complete a Criminal History Check.
Economic Development: Vendor Shows
The Catherine Creek Community Center Board of Directors has been active in mentoring and supporting local organizations working to develop our local economy. The building is available at a reduced fee for individuals and businesses interested in expansions and growth. Email CCCCenter667@gmail.com.
Our wonderful volunteer, Terra led two vendor shows in November and December 2025!!
Senior & Community Meals
The monthly Senior/Community Meals Program continues to thrive with the help of 6–8 volunteers monthly. Our Head Cook, Jodi regularly volunteers over 16 hours monthly to the program.
Meals are served on the second Friday of each month at noon and the Blue Mountaineers perform regularly at these events! All are welcome and the suggested donation for the event is $4.00
Community Meal Sponsorships
We have initiated a Community Meals Sponsorship. Community members can help cover meal costs with a $100 sponsorship. Several sponsors have also been buying meals for all the participants at a cost of $4 per meal. The average number of people who attend Community Meals is 40! Many generous individuals have already contributed.
Memorial Wall and Community History Project
We are always seeking stories and photos about our community and the former Union United Methodist Church! https://communityhistoryproject.blogspot.com/
Alumni Breakfast
The 2025 Alumni Breakfast was a great success, hosted at the Union School District. Proceeds provided two $500 scholarships to the Bobcat Foundation. This event was brought to you by a group of amazing volunteers!!!
Special thanks to all of the individuals, partners, and funders who work to bring services to our rural community!!!