Sunriver residents: Dedicated to contributing to their community
Greek philosopher Aristotle said, “What is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good.”
Sunriver community members are actively engaged in assisting a wide variety of organizations. There is a sincere spirit of giving back to benefit people in the Sunriver area. Volunteers are always needed, so if you live here full-time or a few months a year, reach out to one of the nonprofit organizations to see how you can lend a hand. Many organizations also host fundraising events, open to everyone and another way you can make a difference in the Sunriver community.
Care & Share
Care & Share provides nourishing food to about 200 low-income families in South Deschutes County on the last Friday of every month. Volunteers are needed to pick up food at various retail outlets, pack the donated food in boxes and help load clients’ cars.
Madeline Bednarek, 541-593-3653
Central Oregon Trail Alliance – SoDeCo Chapter
The SoDeCo Chapter of the Central Oregon Trail Alliance builds and maintains mountain bike trails in South Deschutes County. The group collaborates with landowners to promote sustainable trails and advocates for recreational trails throughout Central Oregon.
cotamtb.com
La Pine Community Kitchen
The La Pine Community Kitchen provides assistance to community members who are experiencing hunger and a lack of resources. Volunteers help distribute free food, clothing and other resources.
lapinecommunitykitchen.org
La Pine Sunriver Habitat for Humanity
The La Pine-Sunriver Habitat for Humanity seeks volunteers to help build homes for lower income families and to work at the ReStore with all the proceeds going to home construction.
habitatlapinesunriver.org
Second Tern Thrift Store
One of the largest groups of volunteers in Sunriver works at the Second Tern Thrift Store, located in Spring River Plaza. This expansive second-hand store sells a huge array of pre-owned merchandise with the proceeds going to the Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory.
secondtern.com
SMART Reading
Enjoy working with kids? The SMART Reading program invites adult volunteers to read to children from Three Rivers School, located in the Business Park, one or two days a week.
smartreading.org
St. Vincent de Paul
The St. Vincent de Paul in La Pine helps low-income individuals and families with food, utility bills and prescription medicine. People of all faiths work and volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul’s Retail Thrift Store in La Pine.
lapinesvdp.org
Sunriver Area Chamber of Commerce
Sunriver Police Department – Citizens Patrol
The Sunriver Police Department’s Citizens Patrol utilizes volunteers to help keep the community safe by assisting with traffic control during events and patrolling the community.
sunriverpd.org
Upper Deschutes River Communities
The mission of the Upper Deschutes River Communities (UDRC) is to enable neighborhoods along the area’s rivers to work together to resolve natural resources issues. Volunteer activities include an annual river cleanup, hazardous fuels reduction projects and promoting Firewise Communities.
udrc.org
Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory
Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory (SNCO) serves more than 5,000 students each year with educational programs that advance scientific literacy and nurture STEM skills. Volunteers give educational presentations, assist with classes, greet visitors, assist behind the scenes by feeding and caring for the ambassador animals and provide raptor rehabilitation.
At the Oregon Observatory, volunteers give astronomy presentations and help with rocketry classes. In partnership with SNCO and the Sunriver Owners Association, Project Ponderosa is an award-winning educational and environmental program founded by Sunriver resident and retired life science teacher Lee Stevenson. Volunteers plant and care for the trees at the local nursery and help present educational programs.
snco.org