Fundraiser for Monroe High School Student a Success

   Gavin Higgins's tragic accident brought a community together.
 
      The Auction to help fund his recovery was held on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. It was at the Monroe High School and manned by concerned friends and family. It included dessert, a silent auction, and a live auction.

       On Jan. 7, Gavin Higgins, 15, was a passenger in a car when his friend lost control of the vehicle and ran into a tree. The impact crushed the drivers' side of the car and both boys had to be extracted from the vehicle. Higgins is now able to breathe on his own and open his eyes for short amounts of time but is still in the intensive care unit.

     "Gavin has a long road ahead of him," said Tom Williams, Higgins's stepfather.

     Many individuals and companies contributed items for the auction. Among them was Dutch Bros., OSU, the Portland Trailblazers, Monroe High School, Wilco, Peterson CAT, and the Corvallis Knights. There were 198 auction items total.

"He and his family are very much loved by everyone in the community," said Kathy Ballard, a volunteer at the event.

The community also supported with large donations made at the door and pledged to sponsor Gavin's 4-H steer.

Members of his sports teams, 4-H, and high-school all came and volunteered or supported.

"I'm so thankful for everyone who's responded," said Jennifer Gamache, coordinator of the fundraiser.

They raised over $33,000 and more than 300 people attended.

"Tonight I'm trying not to cry. They say it takes a village to raise a child and it takes a community to heal it," said Williams.

Many people have changed their Facebook profile pictures to one of Higgins with the caption, "Pray for Gavin" across the top.

The Block 15 restaurant and brewery in Corvallis will also be the site of another fundraiser on Feb. 9. Ten percent of all proceeds will be donated to the Gavin Higgins Recover Fund.

"Gavin is a liked kid," said Williams.


At a Glance:

Published in: Linn Benton Commuter

What: Dessert and Auction Fundraiser

For who: Gavin Higgins

Why: To help his family pay for medical bills and show support.

Where: Monroe High School

Know More: Facebook, Gavin Higgins Recovery Page
 
Next Fundraiser: Block 15 restaurant and brewery, February 9th.

   
   
   

   

LBCC Poultry Project Teaches Students Sustainability

     The LBCC chicken coop is up and running and the chickens are about to enjoy their free-range lifestyle.

       The Poultry Project began in January 2015 as a class learning task for the students in both the Profitable Small Farms Program and the Small Scale Sustainable Livestock Production course.

          According to Instructor Levi Fredrikson, “First and foremost it's a learning opportunity for students to evaluate how to raise poultry sustainably.” The goals are for students to learn:

   *Animal welfare

                       
   *The profitability of the system

                           
   *Land or pasture management

                         
   *Construction of structures and fencing

     The chicken coop is located in the northwest corner of campus, west of the Periwinkle Child Development Center and north of the track.

     Students will take responsibilities ranging from watering to structure management of the chickens and their coop. There are five groups for feeding, watering, egg collection, structure, and pasture management.  Each team has unique objectives like keeping track of how much food is given each day and making sure the coop is cleaned.

     But they've all been encouraged to be innovative. On their first work day they improved the feeder and waterer and filled in low spots of the ground to prepare for expansion of the run. 

    The student leader of this project is Bobby Staneart, who's been involved with it since October. He's responsible for a list of renovations and improvements including but not limited to mowing, moving the doors, mounting laying boxes, ripping up the floor and replacing it with rabbit wire for easy cleaning, raising the coop for deep bedding on the ground, and designing the newest renovation: a large run sectioned into four parts in order to rotate the flock. 

    A large part of the work has been completed,  "The only thing it's missing is the fencing and we're going to be starting on that next week," Staneart said. The fencing will be used to divide the run into four large parts surrounding three sides of the coop, leaving the front open for egg collection without a person having to enter the chicken's area. There will be gates between each section so chickens can have full access to the whole area, or just certain segments. It's the goal to let the chickens free range outside. 

      One of the students on the structure team is Leah Stingley,who brought a portion of the current chickens from her step-sister's home in Washington. They were always pasture raised, and are a menagerie of mixes of the egg-laying breeds.
     
      There are 10 hens and one rooster. “The flocks integrated pretty well. They seem to be getting along," Stingley said. She is also in the process of designing a living roof complete with gutters along the front and sides of the coop to collect rainwater for the birds. This will not only make watering the flock easier, but also ensures that it is available in the dry season.

     The chickens and students are adapting well to their environment and jobs. In just a short time fresh eggs will be available for sale in White Oak Hall, giving everyone a benefit to the labors of the poultry, who in turn benefit from the hard work of the students. 

At a glance:

Where: Northwest corner of campus

Student in Charge: Bobby Staneart

Advising Instructor: Levi Fredrikson