Holiday Message from House Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich

December 15, 2023 – House Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich: Happy Holidays

We have entered into one of my favorite times of the year. The holiday season marks a time on many calendars from communities around the world where we come together and celebrate what is most important: family, friends, and our communities.

As I look back over the last year, I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve you in the legislature. I have served my country and my communities for most of my life in one form or another, but the ability to be your voice in Salem truly is a special one.

As we take on the challenges that our state faces, I am reminded that while there is a lot to be thankful for and celebrate, there is still a lot of work to be done. While I work for you in Salem, there are thousands who dedicate their lives here at home to helping our most needy and vulnerable. Their charitable and hard work is awe-inspiring and critical to providing services to our community.

Along with our wonderful charities, our local businesses form the backbone of our economic stability. Mom-and-pop shops carry on the story of our communities and provide us with unique experiences. They are what help make this part of the state so very special.

I know the holidays can be a stressful time for many. As we gather in our homes this year, let’s take a moment and appreciate all that we can be thankful for. Let’s find an opportunity to help those in need and support our local heroes. From my family to yours, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season.

Season of Giving

The holiday season is a time of giving, and what better way to give back to your community than by donating to local charities here in the district? Make a difference and help those who have dedicated themselves to helping our community. Donating to local charities is a great way to support those in need and positively impact your community. Whether you choose to donate money, time, or resources, your contribution can make a real difference in the lives of others.

There are many local charities in Oregon that could use your support during the holiday season. From food banks to homeless shelters to animal rescue organizations, there are countless ways to get involved and make a difference. With so many people helping our communities, it would be nearly impossible to put them all in a newsletter effectively. The Department of Justice has a neat search tool to help you find charities from around the state. Feel free to use the tool here and find something near and dear to your heart this holiday season. Below is a small list of organizations to get you thinking about places you frequent or might want to help!

Ansons Bike Buddies
Arts in Education of the Gorge
Columbia Gorge CASA
Columbia Gorge Humane Society
Columbia Gorge Pregnancy Resource Centers
Eastside Theater Company
FISH Food Bank
Hoodland Farmers Market
The Dalles Farmers Market
United Way of the Columbia Gorge
Veterans Care Centers of Oregon

These are just a few of the many organizations that help our people daily. So, this year, consider making a donation of time or money to a local charity and help make the holiday season a little brighter for those in need.

Agency Updates

A big part of our responsibilities as a legislative office is to be advocates on behalf of our constituents when it comes to challenges with our state agencies. To that end, one of the agencies we hear the most about is the Unemployment office. We received some information regarding increased hold times, as well as some resources available to help alleviate the stress of these increased hold times. The department also shared with us a document outlining what adjudication means when it comes to a UI claim. You can find the “Hold Times” resource here and the “Adjudication” document at this link. The holiday season can be stressful for many families, especially those struggling with economic insecurity. Make sure you are setting yourself up for success and using all the tools at your disposal. As always, if you have any problems, feel free to reach out to the office.

The Department of Revenue also shared with us some information regarding the Oregon Kids Credit! It’s a tax credit created in 2023 that allows up to $1,000 to be claimed per child. It is only available to families with $30,000 or less in annual income. If you find yourself qualifying for it, make sure to keep it in mind when preparing your taxes this upcoming year!

While not an agency, it is an entity that works hard for Oregonians daily. Oregon Business and Industry recently sent the office some information regarding a great opportunity they have for middle school-aged children interested in civics and civic engagement. The Oregon Civics Bee is an annual competition where the participants can compete for up to a $1,000 cash prize! The state finalist advances to the national competition with prizes worth more than $50,000. A great activity for those middle schoolers home for break! There is a flyer in English and one in Spanish with more information.

Shop close to home

The holiday season is upon us. It is a time to show those we care about that we care about them. There are many ways to care, but a common one is gift-giving. A small token of our appreciation for those in our lives who make every day just a little bit better. For many, it can be as simple as a phone call to someone you haven’t talked to in a while. Others might pour their love into a meal or a card. And still for many, the opportunity to go out and get something special for our loved ones is one that we do not miss. While online shopping and big box stores may seem like the easiest and most convenient options, it’s important to remember the benefits of shopping locally. By shopping local, you can support your community and the small businesses that have struggled ever since the Pandemic first shut down our country.

Buying locally is a great way to keep money in our community. When you shop at a local business, you’re supporting our local economy, which in turn supports the community as a whole. Our businesses often hire locally, and they tend to source their products locally, which creates a ripple effect that can benefit everyone. These are our neighbors, our friends. More importantly, they are our sense of community.

Shopping locally helps to preserve the uniqueness of our community. Local businesses add personality and charm to our town or city, and they often offer products or services that you can’t find anywhere else. By patronizing our mom-and-pop shops, we help preserve our communal identity for years to come.

So this year, when putting together your Christmas list and going out to get your gifts, make sure to consider your local options first. While it may be tempting to go for convenience and shop online or at big box stores, it’s important to remember the value of shopping locally during this time of year. Grab a gift card for a local restaurant. Take a local drink to that office holiday party or family get-together instead of one of those out-of-state ones. Plan a day at our local museums or historic downtowns with any family that might be coming into town and show them all our community has to offer.

For a list of local businesses, feel free to visit the Chamber of Commerce pages for Hood River, The Dalles, and Sandy, respectively. They are a wonderful resource for all your local business needs!

As always, my office welcomes your feedback, questions, and comments on anything you see here or in the district. Please send me a note at Rep.JeffHelfrich@oregonlegislature.gov or call 503-986-1452.