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Swedemom Center of Giving
and MacHub
Passionate about making a difference in the financial stability of charitable organizations
What We’re Up To
Christmas Trees With the Lions Club
This past December we were once again able to partner with the McMinnville Lions Club to share some holiday spirit to a few struggling families. While the Lions Club provided the Christmas trees, we were able to provide ornaments, garland, and lights to decorate them with. Thanks to your donations these families could forget about their troubles for a time and enjoy the magic of the holidays. We're grateful to be a part of a community that cares and supports each other however they are able.
Chamber Greeters
Sweet Meet at McMinnville Greeters
MacHub has joined the ranks of many other valued and community-driven businesses and organizations in the weekly event known as Greeters. What is Greeters? It is a weekly gathering of local groups within McMinnville that work together sharing connections and resources, giving a helping hand to every neighbor.
MacHub’s representatives had enjoyed their first meeting at Serendipity Ice Cream on 3rd Street and not only because they received an ice cream breakfast. They were met with a large gathering of innovators, inventors, and dream makers. Those who make up McMinnville came together to say who they are and why they choose to better the world around them. After hearing the announcements from the owners of Serendipity, the Simpson Family, about how they are growing and what they want to offer the community, which you can learn more about here, we heard shout-outs that highlighted people and organizations with their good deeds and support for those in our community.
Being able to be a part of something defined as togetherness is what MacHub strives to be. As we attend future meetings, MacHub hopes to one day host a Greeters meeting and hopefully, we can top ice cream and waffles.
Partner Spotlight
On January 27th we were able to make our first drop with our new truck to a YCAP client! The story of this truck truly shows our message of sustainability. This truck was abandoned in a field and no one was sure what to do with it. Our good friend, Jeb Bladine, suggested we see if we could fix it up to use as our new delivery truck. With the help of Dan Davison of Davison Auto Parts and a few angel mechanics, we were able to get donated parts and labor to assist us in the restoration process. After some time, fixing, patience, fixing again, and support from the community, this truck is now safe and approved for pick-ups and drop-offs of donations to those in need! We believe in redeeming stuff, giving it a new home and a new purpose, while keeping unnecessary items out of the landfill. We're grateful to our community that helps keep our mission going. A special thank you to Dan Davison, Oregon Lithoprint, and those angel mechanics!
Get To Know Our Team
Julie Miller is currently a board member for Swedemom Center of Giving. She has come in with open arms to support our team and was generous enough to share about herself and her history with our organization. She is currently living in Minnesota and is working on writing a book and advocating for textile recycling to encourage more informed consumerism. We are blessed and grateful for her participation and support in our mission. Thank you, Julie!
How did you get involved with Swedemom Center of Giving?
I initially became involved with Swedemom through partnerships with the McMinnville WORKS summer internship program. At the time I was working for Willamette Workforce Partnership and later YCAP. Later, as a Career Services faculty member at Chemeketa Community College (YVC campus in McMinnville) I helped establish the industry-driven Chemeketa WORKS internship program (a community-based workforce development program). I coordinated several internships with our students and the amazing team at Swedemom/MacHub. Our students were involved in a variety of positions so I had the opportunity to learn more about the organization and its impact in the community. Also, I was honored to have the amazing Cami Nyquist on our advisory board!
What does your role with the organization entail?
I am currently a Board Member. I am focused on researching textile sustainability efforts. How can we keep the lesser value textile donations out of landfills? Are there some materials that can be converted into other materials for various industries (i.e. construction, manufacturing, etc.)? McMinnville is a robust Advanced Manufacturing region so there could be some interesting partnerships to pilot with more research.
What makes you stay with us or what is your favorite part of the organization?
Several reasons. Swedemom is very community-focused and knows how to leverage partnerships and build value for local non-profits. The circular economy efforts also speak to me. I think it would be an excellent model to replicate in other regions. I've also witnessed impressive growth with the organization related to outreach efforts, partnerships, and internal structuring. The embedded workforce development opportunities in a supportive environment have been life changing for many participants.
Can you tell me a little bit about your textile recycling or anything about the book you are writing?
This is a huge passion area for me, in a full circle sort of way. My original degree was in Textiles and then I went into Education so I guess I'm marrying the two nowadays in my current projects. I write about textile awareness (through the back door) and try to engage future creatives in discovering more about this industry because we are in desperate need of innovation and informed consumerism. There seems to be a major disconnect between the clothes we wear and our understanding of their impact on the environment, labor, and human health. I want to create awareness about where clothes come from, similar to the movement of knowing where your food comes from. The textile industry has a huge amount of waste both on the designing/manufacturing end and ultimately the consumer end with fast fashion and the amount of textile waste in landfills. There's huge recognition out there about brands and fashion influencers but lack of knowledge of materials and the real cost of manufacturing. I wish to create interest about textiles, not in a preachy way but by building curiosity. There are plenty of craft/sewing books out there. I'm more interested in a fictional format (middle grade/young adult fiction) where the main character needs textile knowledge to solve a mystery. I also would like to do more experiential workshops with youth around fibers through organizations like 4-H, local Art outreach, and Textile Centers.
And you're currently in Minnesota is that right? What is your favorite thing to do there?
Yes, we moved back to Minnesota in 2020 of all times to better support aging parents. I do miss McMinnville, our home in Dundee, and the proximity to the coast. Interestingly enough, we ended up remodeling a lake cabin about a mile from the farm I grew up on in Scandia, MN, which just so happens to be the first Swedish immigrant settlement in Minnesota going back to the 1850's. I'm definitely rediscovering my hometown at a different time in my life. One thing I'm loving about being back to this area are the numerous lakes and the St. Croix River. I really enjoy kayaking and swimming during our precious summer months.
Click the button below to learn more about how you can volunteer and share your knowledge with us. Thank you for your support.
We are always in need of financial support. If you feel called, click the button below to donate to our cause of bringing light to the McMinnville and surrounding communities. Thank you for your support!
A Division of Swedemom Center of Giving (501c3)
Winter Sales With MacHub!
Find everything you need to keep cozy this winter and so much more! You can find fantastic deals every day, shop for a local cause, and help the planet with MacHub! Through our partnership with Swedemom, we have an online shopping platform that makes it easy and safe to browse our stock of furniture, collectibles, décor, and more.
Mark your calendars in February, March, and April for MacHub's Online Auctions! With a wide variety of items and prices, there is surely something for everyone!
Registration is FREE and there is currently NO BUYER PREMIUM.
MacHub's Next Pre-loved and Useable Items Online Auction:
Bidding begins at 8:00 AM on February 3rd and begins closing on February 8th at 4:00 PM.
To view our catalog, click the button below to go to the HiBid auction site. Be sure to check back often! New lots are being added every day!
Looking for an opportunity to volunteer or share your skills? Wednesdays are volunteer days at MacHub! We invite you to join our volunteer base to help serve our community and have fun while doing it! We are always looking for people to help, especially those who have knowledge with specific products. If you'd like to participate or learn more about our volunteer opportunities, please visit our website below or email us at volunteers@machub.org for more information!
Every day is Earth Day at MacHub! We strive to give unused items new homes to keep them out of the landfill. Consider participating in our next auction from February 3-8 and help support us in our efforts!
Help ensure the future of our organization!
If you appreciate what we are doing, we welcome your financial support. Donate today through Swedemom Center of Giving or email for more information at donations@machub.org.
You can help spread the word about Swedemom Center of Giving and MacHub! Share this newsletter with your networks and be sure to like and follow us on social media. Thank you for your support!