May 29, 2025 2:50 a.m.

Nonprofit organizations in southern Oregon and the southern Willamette Valley are receiving a boost due to grants from the Oregon Community Foundation.

A release said the foundation has distributed new funding to groups making progress on housing, childcare, hunger, substance abuse, arts and culture and more. Over $920,000 is being invested into the work of 35 organizations.

The list includes the Camas Valley Rural Fire District. The district is planning to build a new 40 foot by 40-foot sub-station near the intersection of Wildcat Road and Upper Camas Road. The building will include three garage bays and space to house four emergency vehicles. No tax dollars will be used for the construction of the sub-station. It Is being funded entirely through grants, donated materials, and community support. The grant funding includes $23,500 from the Tom and Carol Williams Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, and $6,500 from the Kenneth and Mary Lou Genther Fund of the same organization.

Roseburg Forest Products and DR Johnson Lumber have donated materials to help with construction. Information from the fire district said the new sub-station will help in many ways including reduced response times. Over 50 percent of its volunteers live near the proposed sub-station.

More information about the Camas Valley Rural Fire District is at: https://www.camasvalleyfire.org/

Details about the Oregon Community Foundation are at: https://oregoncf.org/