Community connection
"Volunteering provides me with the opportunity to give something back to the community. I feel very fortunate
to have a job at EWEB and I appreciate the support that the community gives to EWEB. This is a way for me to
say thanks while doing something good."
Mike McCann, Hydro License Implementation Project Manager
Since EWEB first opened its doors in 1911, employees have been committed to giving back to the community through
volunteering and public service. From building parks for children to coordinating riverbank cleanups along the
McKenzie River, giving back runs deep in the foundation of the utility. Below are a few examples of some of
the organizations and events that EWEB has participated in recently.
EWEB employees are longtime participants in the United Way's Days of Caring program.
Days of Caring is an annual two-day event that links volunteer work teams with local charitable agencies
to complete much-needed projects such as landscaping, construction, painting, office projects and food delivery.
EWEB employees volunteered to help renovate a formerly run-down house to provide transition housing for
veterans and their families. St. Vincent de Paul purchased the foreclosed home at a
discounted price. EWEB volunteers joined many other area individuals and businesses that donated materials and labor.
EWEB volunteers came together to help transform an empty field at the Pearl Buck Center into a beautiful
playground for pre-school children. Volunteers spread woodchips, worked on landscaping and prepared the area for
concrete to provide a new place for the children of individuals with developmental disabilities to play.
EWEB volunteers raised over $5,000 in 2009 for the Relay for Life, an annual event benefiting the
American Cancer Society. Retired and current employees and families participated in the fight against cancer
by both walking and planning unique fund raising activities including a pancake feed, a coin fundraiser and ice cream sales.
Through the Food for Lane County program, volunteers help prepare and package food for members of our
community in need. The program serves more than one in five Lane County residents through emergency food
assistance, nutrition education, advocacy and self-sufficiency efforts.
Clean-up events
Environmental stewardship is one of EWEB's primary responsibilities as the largest publicly owned
utility in the state of Oregon. In addition to adopting a stretch of bike path behind the EWEB
headquarters building, volunteers frequently host McKenzie River clean-up events to protect and preserve
popular fishing and floating destinations.
The Run to Stay Warm is an EWEB event that raises money for the Customer Care Program, which helps income
eligible customers who are having difficulty paying their utility bills. In 2008, more than 850 runners and
walkers came together to take part in the second annual EWEB Run to Stay Warm. Participants ranged from
6 to 74 years of age and traveled from all over the United States including Hawaii, Alaska, and even New York.
The Customer Care Program helps more than 4,000 households each year.
Water stations
If you've ever been to a city of Eugene event, you've probably seen EWEB volunteers handing out free water
in the utility's cool H2Oasis Booth or at water stations along race routes. Over the years, EWEB volunteers
have participated in the Eugene Marathon, 2008 Olympic Team Trials–Track and Field, Eugene Celebration, Lane
County Fair and Butte to Butte, providing relief to Eugene residents who could use a free, cold cup of water.
We Are Bethel Celebration
EWEB staff participated in the 8th Annual We Are Bethel celebration, held at the City of Eugene's Petersen Barn.
This event brings neighbors in Northwest Eugene together for family-oriented fun while providing direct
access to area service agencies. According to event organizers, about 2,700 people attended the celebration,
which had more than 50 organizations represented this year. The event provides an opportunity to introduce EWEB
to our new neighbors.