September 2025

Summer was a blitz full of fun adventures, quality time spent outdoors, and meaningful educational activities. As school begins and the chill of fall air sets in,  I am reminded how your generosity and support make this year-round enrichment and intentional 1:1 time possible. Because of your support, Friends are able to provide 3-4 hours a week of direct support to every youth in our program throughout every season of the year.

Warmly, Amanda Squibb

The Pacific Power Foundation awards more than $300,000 in grants to expand access to STEM education across the communities it serves. In the most recent grant cycle, Friends of the Children–Klamath Basin was honored to be selected as a recipient, receiving $3,500 to support our ongoing youth mentoring. Thank you, Pacific Power, for helping power the next generation of STEM leaders!

Capstone Accounting and Tax traded in their computers and cubicles for dirt and digging! Their team joined us for our Clubhouse Clean-Up Day, helping prepare the grounds for a summer full of outdoor fun. We’re so grateful they rolled up their sleeves, got their hands dirty, and gave us a jump start to the season!

The Klamath County Association of Realtors gave back in a big way! They elected to support youth mentoring in the Basin by donating proceeds from their Spring Into Your Dream Home, Tour of Homes event to Friends of the Children–Klamath Basin. Every dollar donated stays right here in our community! Don’t miss their upcoming Color Run on September 13th at Steen Sports Park!

Asana Yoga & Ayurveda partnered with Friends of the Children–Klamath Basin as the beneficiary of a portion of donations from their Yoga in the Park series throughout June! Each week, yogis gathered at Moore Park for a refreshing Vinyasa flow, connecting with both community and nature. Thank you, Asana Yoga & Ayurveda, for choosing Friends!

Mountain Valley Gardens generously donated time and materials for our Ambassador Plant Sale at Friend Raiser this year—more than doubling both the size and revenue from last year! They went even further by designating Friends of the Children as their charitable organization of choice for a weekend, donating a portion of all sales to support youth mentoring in our community. Thank you, Mountain Valley Gardens, for being such a generous friend and neighbor!

I scream! You scream! We all scream for Sugar Pine ice cream! Sugar Pine Treats helped make our summer a little sweeter. Our team received a 'buy one get one free' all season long. Every time a Friend visited with a program youth, free ice cream was scooped up. We all loved indulging in their sweet generosity. Thanks, Sugar Pine Treats!

Friends of the Children–Klamath Basin is excited to welcome Jen Nelson to our team! Jen joins us as our new Education Coordinator and part-time mentor. With years of classroom experience across multiple grade levels and subjects, including Language Arts, Social Studies, and History, she brings a deep passion for literacy and storytelling. Jen believes that building lasting connections is the foundation for both individual success and a thriving community. We are thrilled to have her as part of our Friends family!

Every other Saturday since April, our program youth have had the privilege of learning from Grandma Felicia, who has generously shared her knowledge of Native heritage and traditions. Together, they have created tulle ducks and dolls, practiced beading, crafted clappers, and even begun working on moccasins. Youth also explored the land through gathering herbs, picking huckleberries, and learning about natural methods of water purification. These hands-on lessons not only teach cultural practices but also deepen connections to history, community, and the natural world. We are so grateful to Grandma Felicia for sharing her wisdom and helping our youth grow in both skill and understanding.

At the end of May, community members gathered at Mike's Fieldhouse to celebrate 25 years of youth mentoring in the Klamath Basin at Friend Raiser 2025. The evening featured delicious Bite of the Basin style tastings from local favorites, a fast-paced auction, our biggest and best plant sale yet, and the most competitive Dessert Dash to date. A program participant parent inspired us all with her story of hope and success, reminding guests of the life-changing impact of one-to-one, long-term mentoring. Friend Raiser 2025 was our most successful event ever, made possible by our generous sponsors, donors, food vendors, volunteers, board, and, most importantly, our incredible community. Thank you, Klamath Falls, for showing up and celebrating with us!

Earlier this year, Friends of the Children teamed up with Simone Biles and premium pet food brand Nulo for the Paws For A Cause campaign to raise funds supporting youth and their pets. The campaign made a real impact across Oregon and Washington. Last month, Friends of the Children Klamath Falls youth proudly wore their new shirts, shared Nulo treats, and snuggled some adoptable four-legged friends at Klamath County Public Health's 'Mutts and Butts' event , where several pets even found their forever homes. Together, Nulo Pet Food, Simone Biles, Friends of the Children- Klamath Basin, and Friends of the Children - National are making a difference for youth and their pets!

This year we proudly celebrated two amazing grads at a special Clubhouse barbecue with family, staff, and friends. The event was full of words of encouragement, thoughtful gifts, and plenty of delicious food as we honored their hard work and accomplishments. These graduates have shown perseverance, grit, and determination, and we could not be more excited to cheer them on as they begin writing the next chapter of their journeys. Their future is bright, and we’re so proud to be a small part of their story!

Summer at Friends of the Children–Klamath Basin was jam-packed with fun and learning! Each activity gave youth the chance to practice our nine core assets, like problem solving, building positive relationships, and showing self determination. Highlights included tackling The Kraken from 541 Jump and diving into a live-action adventure and strategy game. Youth also enjoyed an exciting visit to the Crater Rock Museum, a day of fishing, a Wildlife Safari excursion, a trip to the Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuge, and so much more. With the generous support of Klamath County School District's summer program funding, Friends of the Children–Klamath Basin is able to help youth broaden their horizons through activities and events that spark growth, learning, and connection.

Keep an eye out for our special "STEAM Camp Edition" coming to your inbox soon!

1515 Old Fort Rd

Mail to: PO Box 5235

Klamath Falls OR 97601

541-273-2022

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