PROVIDING NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
Tom Donohue, CEO of the U.S. Chamber, Provides Updates on National Business Community in Chamber of Medford & Jackson County Forum
Boise Cascade Wood Products Matching Gift Raises More Than $267,000 to Support the Community
October 1, 2020 | Medford, OR | Press Release B oise Cascade Wood Products matching donation to ACCESS of $100,000 raises a total of $267,136 to support Jackson County during these unprecedented times. On September 22nd, Boise Cascade announced they would match all donations made to ACCESS up to $100,000 in support of its mission to provide food, housing, energy assistance, and basic needs to the Jackson County community. Within one week, their generous matching donation inspired more than 430 people and businesses to make donations totaling $167,136 in addition to Boise Cascade’s $100,000 gift. The campaign raised well over one- quarter of a million dollars to help our community recover from the devasting fires and the impacts of COVID. “We are grateful for Boise Cascade’s generosity and their ongoing commitment to supporting our community. We could not meet the overwhelming need without philanthropic, corporate leaders like Boise Cascade,” says Carlea Langston, Interim Co-Executive Director for ACCESS. “We were heartened and humbled by the outpouring of support we received. Boise Cascade’s matching donation was an inspiration to so many in our community to help their neighbors who have lost so much,” adds Kellie Battaglia, Development Director for ACCESS. Battaglia continues, “We are very proud and lucky to be a part of this giving community.” Since 1976, ACCESS has been Jackson County’s Community Action Agency and Regional Food Bank. In 2019, ACCESS served more than 52,000 people, which is 1 in every 4 residents. With the recent COVID crisis and devasting fires, ACCESS has seen the need for food and housing assistance increase by as much as 80% at times.
October 20, 2020 | By Rebecca Scott | RJS Writing Service T he Chamber of Medford & Jackson County kicked off a new Forum season with a virtual discussion featuring Tom Donohue, Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The presentation was done in a Q&A style, with Brad Hicks, President and CEO of the Chamber of Medford & Jackson County, asking the questions. Donohue began by looking back 101 years ago when the country faced another pandemic — the Spanish flu. “That pandemic also forced businesses to adapt and change how they do things, which is what we have to do now.” However, Donohue noted that today, the United States is facing a confluence of events in addition to a global pandemic, including economic struggles, social unrest and wildfires. “Chambers of Commerce try to help each other recover during challenging times,” Donohue explained. “Overcoming these issues will take collaboration from a united business community. The partnerships we have across the country are why we will come out of this crisis even stronger than before.” Hicks said the U.S. Chamber of Commerce represents a broad swath of industries and asked Donohue to expand on what the state of the economy currently looks like. According to Donohue, the hope was to have a V-shaped recovery where things initially went down, but then shot up again. Instead, it has been more K-shaped, where one side goes up and the other goes down. “But more businesses are coming back and we’re hopeful for the future.” Hicks then stated a common misconception is that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce only represents large companies, and asked for more information on how they help small businesses. “There are millions and millions of small businesses,” said Donohue, noting these companies are often dependent on larger businesses for contract work. “We’ve done a lot of work on behalf of small and large businesses, including helping them navigate the Paycheck Protection Program when it arrived, and pressing Congress on what to do next.” Navigating away from business for a moment, Hicks said many people’s thoughts are also focused on the upcoming general election.
Tom Donohue, CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Donohue said that after we go through the machinations, some people will be elected, and others re-elected. “As citizens, we need to do everything we can to support that process.” Additionally, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is investing money, time, resources and brain power into the Senate races in order to maintain a diverse political balance. Returning to the economic struggles caused by the pandemic, Hicks asked when things would return to normal for people and businesses. Donohue believed it may take longer than people hope, even when a vaccine becomes available. In the interim, he encouraged everyone to wear masks, practice social distancing and regular hand washing, because these techniques will make a dramatic impact. “We need to do everything we can to help each other and not cast blame.” In closing, Donohue explained that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to rallying businesses of all sizes to help their country and each other. “There are two things which make the U.S. Chamber of Commerce strong,” said Donohue. “We can do many things at one time, and we study and research. Because when things need to get done, we do it. We get dressed on the way to the prom if we have to.” n
These funds will help Jackson County residents recover from the recent devasting fires, economic and health impacts of COVID-19, and allow ACCESS to help those in need moving forward. To donate, go to www.accesshelps.org/donate or call 541-779-6691.
ABOUT ACCESS ACCESS provides food, warmth, shelter, and other essential services to Jackson County’s low- income children, families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. As the Community Action Agency of Jackson County, Oregon, ACCESS has helped residents break the cycle of poverty since 1976. Last year, 52,497 people received assistance from ACCESS’s broad continuum of services, including obtaining safe, affordable housing, rental assistance, utility assistance, weatherization, free loaned durable medical equipment, and healthy food.
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The Business Review | October 2020
October 2020 | The Business Review
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