Projects
THE CAUSE PROJECTS
2002 – PRESENT
2008 - Present **The Heart Campaign (I Heart)
The Cause partners with local churches to organize and coordinate community-wide outreach events. Drawing in multiple local churches and hundreds of volunteers, the events build a sense of community, meet the needs of local residents, encourage non-profit organizations, and demonstrate genuine compassion to the communities they touch. To date, over 20 communities throughout Oregon and Washington have been impacted.
2008 **Christmas Gifts for orphans of King’s Kids Village,Nairobi, Kenya (PP*)
In the fall of 2008, we provided Christmas gift bags for the 35 children of King’s Kids Village, Nairobi, Kenya. People from the community donated funds to purchase items for the children, and some shopped and donated filled bags. The Cause shipped the gifts to Kenya in time for Christmas. The children each received toys, books, treats and t-shirts.
2008 **A Day in the Park (PP*)
In May of 2008, The Cause worked with 20 young people from a local youth group to plan a day in the park for a large number of local, underprivileged children. The middle- and high-school volunteers played games with the younger children, offered face painting, snacks and drinks, and spent quality time interacting.
2007 **A Night for the Children (PP*)
In October of 2007, The Cause sponsored an art event to benefit the 160 children of Osanidde Village on Bussi Island, Lake Victoria, Uganda. Working with one of our partners recently returned from Uganda, we printed and framed dozens of photographs of the children and auctioned them to the community to assist in the construction of a school for the children. The evening included live music from a professional jazz band.
2005 - Present **Craft Sales
The Cause has purchased products from several countries to support indigenous artisans. We then sell the products to raise awareness of the plight of these people in developing countries. We have purchased necklaces from orphans in Uganda, purses made by women rescued from slavery in Cambodia, and hammocks from Mayan women in Mexico.
2003 - Present **Long-term partnering (LP*)
Over the past six years, The Cause has been privileged to participate in the process of short-term volunteers becoming long-term. We partner with people interested in continuing the work they have begun, whether in their local community or in a foreign country. We work side-by-side with them, offering counsel and practical help through public awareness, fund-raisers and administration. We also partner with small, independent ministries, already established, who can benefit from our involvement.
2003 - Present **Short-term ministry teams (PP*)
From its inception, The Cause has actively encouraged people to participate in short-term ministry trips. We have sponsored youth and adults on journeys to over 27 countries of the world. We have led various teams, and continue to support participants in many ways. We provide editing for fund-raising letters, help with fund-raisers, provide travel connections, immunization information and consult on cultural issues. We also connect participants with our long-term partners (see below) for the most effective, impacting journey possible.
2003 **Wrapped-in-Love Quilt Project (PP*)
Wrapped-in-Love was born of a desire to involve the local community in a global project. Volunteers in the community visited public and private elementary schools, and enlisted approximately 600 grade-school children in hand-decorating quilt squares. These squares, with beautiful drawings and personal messages, were incorporated into 135 twin-size quilts, sewn by quilters throughout the state of Oregon. The quilts were then designated for a specific child or “Mama” and hand-delivered to Otino-Waa Village in northern Uganda by a Cause team of nine volunteers.
2002 - Present Launching of After School Buddies (LP*)
The Cause partnered with Charlene Schulz of Bend, Oregon to launch After School Buddies (ASB), an after school mentoring program. The focus of ASB is to mentor high school and college-age students who in turn guide elementary and middle-school children. The programs, which have expanded from one elementary school to 5 elementary and 2 middle-school programs, include homework tutoring, snacks, play time and positive role modeling. In addition, ASB has expanded to include a week-long summer day camp impacting dozens of youth and children. The Cause has continued to support the work of ASB, and has provided volunteers and administrative support.
2002-03 Assisted in establishment of Otino-Waa Village (Launching Project*)
From August 2002 until a second visit to Uganda in August of 2003, The Cause was actively involved with the establishment of Otino-Waa Village. Through those twelve months, we worked to create media to highlight the plight of the children caught in the maelstrom of civil conflict and the AIDS epidemic. A video of the children plus sponsorship brochures were created, and we traveled throughout the Northwest raising awareness and sponsorships for the children. By August of 2003, acreage had been purchased and in the fall, the children moved into new homes built by volunteers, many of whom were affiliated with The Cause.
2002 **Gift Drive and Delivery to orphans of Otino-WaaVillage, Northern Uganda (PP*)
Prior to our first visit to Uganda to meet the children of Otino-Waa Village (known as Golgotha Children’s Village at the time), The Cause, using donated funds, collected and assembled gift bags for the 79 orphans. These included gender specific toys (i.e. dolls for girls, toy cars for boys), coloring books, crayons, paper, pencils and candy. In addition, we purchased necessities in country: soap and soap dishes, towels, and buckets with lids for carrying water and bathing. Upon arrival, we discovered there were many more than 79 children, and were able to give gifts to approximately 135 children and youth.
2001-2002 **Freely Give Backpack Campaign (Portal Project*)
Launched in November of 2001 and continuing through February of 2002, the Freely Give Campaign was a community-wide effort spearheaded by a 16-year-old high school junior. The Cause partnered with Keri Schulz to fill nearly 700 donated backpacks with food, socks, gloves, hats, and toiletry items. The filled backpacks, along with coats and blankets, were distributed throughout Central Oregon during the coldest winter months. Many local people volunteered, including dozens of young people. Two local high schools and a private school held drives to help, delivering car loads of backpacks and supplies to be used for the project. Monetary donations from the community amounted to thousands of dollars, and Wal-Mart was the official collection site for approximately 500 donated winter coats. The project was featured in the local newspaper and on television.
** Portal Project (PP) – A project that is entry level for involvement, and may be initiated by the Cause or by an individual with support of The Cause
* Launching Project (LP) – A project that involves the Cause at a primary level, leading to an independently led project or ministry
** Repeatable projects
To learn more about our partners click here
