The show does go on, for the sake of Egan Warming Center. For nine years, the
Eugene Caldera Songwriting Tribe, nearly two dozen strong, has convened at Tsunami Books in Eugene to play a benefit for the St. Vincent de Paul program that provides overnight shelter for the homeless on cold nights. It’s always been a popular benefit. This year, because of COVID, two prerecorded hour-long virtual watch parties have been set up where the musicians from Beth Wood and John Shipe to Julia O’Reilly, who also produced the shows will perform from their homes or from socially distanced locales. There may even be haiku performances. They have been known to happen at this benefit. Mark your calendars, because the show must go on.
Credit Wendy Machalicek
While Marcy Hellman prepared lessons for Veteran’s Day this year, the weather turned cold enough for Egan Warming Center to activate its services. This led to discussions about unhoused veterans. And how Egan Warming Center’s namesake, Major Thomas Egan, was found frozen to death 12 years ago on Eugene’s streets.
To help, the class sent a letter to school families asking donations be dropped off when they pick up supplies for online learning.
Second grader Lola Schultz, who contributed a significant amount to the letter, shared how participating makes her feel.
The ponchos are military grade and are large enough to cover a grown man wearing a backpack. It also has grommets so it can be spread out and pitched like a tent. Juniper has chosen to donate the Cosmic pattern so they’ll look nice and be easily recognizable.