UCP Board Update – December 2025

The board’s been working on some really cool things this month, and I wanted to catch everyone up on where we’re headed.

The Grace Gulick Community Track is Moving Forward

This is the big news. In October, the school board signed off on the Memorandum of Understanding for the Grace Gulick Community Track. We’re now the fiscal sponsor for the project, which means UCP is helping make it real.

Annie Johnson is chairing the Track Committee, with support from Gail Kimberling, Mike Ludin, Kyle Davis, Peter Davis, Cindy Thayer, Debi Lorence, Ed Morell, Kerstin Morell, Jenny Gulick, and Pam from UCP. These folks are genuinely excited about honoring Grace and building something the whole community can use.

Here’s what’s coming: In January, they’re sending out a fundraising letter to landowners across the Pine Valley School District. If that’s you, watch your mailbox. The letter asks if you’d be willing to support the track. Your contribution, whatever it looks like, helps make this happen.

The Track Committee meets every second Wednesday at 5:30 at the Lions Club. You’re welcome to show up if you want to see what’s taking shape. They’re also working with Michael Bergmann, an experienced community project coach recommended by the Oregon Community Foundation, to reach out to people beyond our area who might want to help.

The Grace Gulick Community Track Website

You Can Give Online Now

We launched GiveButter, our new online donation platform. You can use it to support any UCP project, and it makes giving easier with lots of payment options. You can donate through Venmo, PayPal, and other methods. Updates and integration with the UCP website are ongoing, so check back as we get everything set up. Of course, we still take checks. If you prefer giving online, GiveButter makes it simple and secure.

The Village Fund Keeps Supporting Families

Since April 2020, the Village Fund has been there for people in our community who hit a rough patch and need emergency help. It can help with a big bill or an unanticipated emergency. This year we got four new applications. Three got approved to move forward. That’s the kind of quiet work that doesn’t always make headlines, but it’s real and it matters.

If you know someone who could use this kind of support, applications are available at the Post Office or the Library. You can also speak to a Village Fund Committee member for details. Don’t hesitate to apply. The committee includes Sara Artley, Gail Kimberling, Millicent Simpson, Paula Simpson, and Shelley Wilson.

Main Street’s Getting Some Attention

The PV2050 committee handed off the track work to us and is focusing on other priorities. The Main Street Committee is still going strong. They meet the last Monday of the month at 5 p.m. at the Lions.

They’re working on beautifying our downtown with flagpole flower boxes, hanging baskets, and other projects. They’re also supporting our local businesses. There’s real momentum there. If you have ideas or you want to volunteer, these meetings are welcoming.

Firewise Wrapped Up

The Community Wildfire Risk Reduction grant that’s been funding cleanup work in our area finished up in October. That work removed tires, garbage, and metal recycling from the track area. It’s all about making the place safer and better looking. A final report goes to the state in March, but the heavy lifting is done. Visit the Firewise site

This is one of those things where grants exist if you know where to look. UCP helps figure out where those are and how to make them happen for our community.

Approved Grants

This month the board approved grants for two community spaces.

The Pine Valley Community Gym received a grant to help with insurance and rent. The Ice Skating Rink received a grant to cover a new liner. These kinds of investments help keep our community spaces available and working for everyone who uses them. Sign Up for a Membership today!

UCP awards grants all year round. If you have a project that fits our mission, give us a call. We’re always looking for ways to support all kinds of community goods.

Dark Skies Over Halfway is Hosting Conversations

The Dark Skies Over Halfway group is working on an outdoor lighting ordinance for the City of Halfway. Before that goes to the city, they want to have some conversations with the community about light pollution and why it matters.

Watch for public meetings in February, April, and June where we’ll talk about light pollution, what it means for our night sky, and how it affects both humans and wildlife. Better lighting practices help protect our environment and our health. Tom Nash is running the committee, with Rachel Cairns, Pam, Michel Ross, Sally Robaugh, Tyson Froemke, Liz, and Julie Tucker. Come if you’re interested in learning more.

Mentor Match Finished Strong

The Mentor Match program wrapped up its grant with the Ford Family Foundation. It connected local teens with business mentors who could guide them through starting and running their own businesses. It’s quiet work, but important. The kind of thing that helps shape opportunity for kids in our area.

What’s Keeping Us Busy Right Now

We’re focused on a few things: getting the track fundraising going and getting real support from our community, moving our digital stuff over to Google Workspace and updating the website (it’s taking longer than we’d like, but it’s happening), and making sure the Village Fund keeps doing what it does while keeping Main Street momentum going.

How You Can Jump In

If you want to be part of this, here’s where to show up: Give a gift through Give Butter. Show up at the Track Committee every second Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Lions Club. Join the Main Street Committee the last Monday of the month at 5 p.m. at the Lions. Come to the Dark Sky meetings in February, April, or June. If you or someone you know needs help, reach out to the Village Fund. And tell us what you think and what you’d like to see.

United Community Partners is really just us. The people who live here and believe this place is worth showing up for. Thank you for being that person.

Questions? Want to help? Reach out to any UCP board member or check our website.  Everyone’s welcome.