Salem-News.com Volunteer articles

4x4 Enthusiasts Combine Recreation and Lifesaving Skills to Help Others (SLIDESHOW)

Every once in a while, things line up just right for the benefit of all.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Earlier this month I went to Sandy, Oregon area with my friend Noah Patraw, one of those guys that loves driving a 4x4 and you know, there are many like him out there.

And then there are those that love to drive 4x4's and use this skill and love for the terrain to assist the community in searching for and rescuing people.

Homes Sought for Rescued Horses

The horses’ former owner pled guilty to multiple counts of animal neglect, first degree theft, and tampering with physical evidence

(SALEM, Ore.) - Six horses rescued from neglect by Willamette Humane Society (WHS) over the summer are now available for adoption.


The adoptable horses were seized from the Early Rise Ranch in July due to starvation and neglect. For the past four months, these horses (and more than 20 others removed from the Ranch) have been in foster care with WHS undergoing treatment and rehabilitation.

Oregonians `Give Back` in Record Numbers (AUDIO)

One-third of Oregonians do some form of volunteer work.

(PORTLAND, Ore. ONS) - The unemployment rate in Oregon may be high, but so is the rate of volunteerism. In the last year, about one million Oregonians contributed more than 120 million hours of their time for charitable and community service projects.

In this economy, you might assume people would pass up working for free, to look for paying jobs, but Bandana Shreftha, director of community engagement for AARP Oregon, says that hasn't been the case.

Report Finds `Alarming` Rise in Global Hunger

Financial crisis and gender inequality worsen malnutrition.

(NEW YORK) - Underscoring the warning issued by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Program that hunger is worsening around the world, the 2009 Global Hunger Index (GHI) records “alarming” levels of hunger and malnutrition in 29 countries.

Released 14 October, the GHI is published each year by the international humanitarian agency Concern Worldwide, the German NGO Welt Hunger Hilfe, and the International Food Policy Research Institute.

Salem-News.com Newscast for Friday (VIDEO)

Recorded live Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. in our Downtown, Oregon news studios.

(SALEM, Ore.) - In tonight's news, Police investigate a serious crash on Turner Road that injured a Eugene Woman, in the same set of curves that saw a recent fatal crash. And an Israeli peace activist visits Salem from Jerusalem, to talk about solutions for Mideast peace.

Bonnie King will have the weekend weather forecast, and we'll introduce you to a team of local ghosthunters who are on the trail of some interesting and hard to explain events in some of Oregon's lonelier locations.

Young American Volunteers Abroad Request `Not to Come Home`

With youth unemployment at an all time high, extended volunteering option may prove a valuable option.

(NEW YORK) - A number of volunteers on work placements with Projects Abroad to Third World countries such as Shanghai in China, Accra in Ghana, Sivikasi in India, Chisinau in Moldova, Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia have requested “not to come home“ from their work placements.

For the first time since being established in 1991, Projects Abroad have received a number of requests from young people in the field wanting to extend their trips, some indefinitely.

I Would Walk 500 Miles for PTSD- Would You? (VIDEO)

Veterans will have a chance in September to walk in support of PTSD education.

(SALEM, Ore.) - I admit that when we first decided to produce an hour long documentary on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, I thought it would be so widely supported that the actual production would be a piece of cake. I was wrong.

Companies that make literally billions off the wars overseas, won't so much as return a call to this producer. So I have another, much better idea. I am going to march 500 miles with fellow veterans to raise support for this important program.

War and PTSD: A Discussion Regarding the Documentary (VIDEO)

Viewers learn more about our upcoming documentary that will help countless thousands of U.S. combat vets.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The first time we produced a television documentary the project was for Oregon Public Broadcasting, the year was 1993, and the subject was the story of the sole survivor of the WWII B-17 bomber crash on Cape Lookout in Oregon.

Now we are engaged in the production of a documentary about a huge subject: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This is a condition experienced by people who survive any range of traumatic events, and combat heads the list of reasons that people end up living with PTSD.

Salem Comes Together to Raise $95,000 for Babies

March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.

(SALEM, Ore.) - It was the best feel-good moment of the week in Salem when hundreds of residents joined together in support of the smallest members of Salem —babies—by participating in March for Babies to benefit March of Dimes.

"Thanks to everyone who came out in support of babies. Together we've raised $95,000 so that one day all babies will be born healthy," said Greg Goodwin, CEO of Kuni Automotive and 2009 March for Babies Chair.

Law Enforcement for Youth Announces Two Project Grants

A group comprised mostly of off-duty cops announces more help for the community.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Recent grants announced by Law Enforcement for Youth in Salem will be awarded to Sprague High School and Striking Out Meth in Marion County.

Steve Polanski with Law Enforcement for Youth says the grants will help in a number of areas. The group often gets involved in projects that help local kids including the restoration of the Chemawa Indian School athletic field.