The Ranch Reveille

September 2026

September is Suicide Prevention Month. At Central Oregon Veterans Ranch, we believe prevention doesn’t always look like a hotline, a program, or a difficult conversation. Sometimes it looks like having somewhere to go on an ordinary Tuesday.

It can be a cup of coffee with another veteran, a familiar face who notices when you haven’t been around, or time spent working alongside someone without having to explain yourself.

The Ranch exists to reduce isolation and create connection, belonging, and purpose. We may not always call that suicide prevention, but we know these everyday connections matter.

This month, we invite you to practice prevention in its most human form: reach out, extend an invitation, and let someone know their presence matters.

Veterans are always welcome at the Ranch. Whether you’re looking for camaraderie, something meaningful to do, or simply a good way to spend an hour or a few!

Warmly,

Heather Martin

Executive Director

Announcements

🎨 OREGON REMEMBERS - October 22–24, 2026

This October, Central Oregon Veterans Ranch will host the inaugural Oregon Remembers: a three-day gathering created to honor those we have lost, bring our community together, and connect veterans and their families with meaningful resources and support.

We are currently seeking:

• Founding sponsors who want to help establish and grow this meaningful community event

• Planning volunteers who can help us bring the many pieces together in the coming months

• Veteran-serving organizations interested in participating in the Veterans Resource Fair

Founding sponsors will do more than support one event. They will help create the foundation for an annual Central Oregon tradition centered on remembrance, education, connection, and service. Thank you to our generous sponsors donating in honor of Chef Bryant Kryck, The Douglas and Gloria Rumberger Foundation, First Interstate Bank, Marvin & Louise Kaplan, the Redmond VFW Post 4108, Brooks Resources, and Lindahl Reed for being among our first Founding Sponsors!

And thank you to our Founding Resource Partners, NAMI, ClearPath Healthcare, American Legion Auxiliary La Pine Unit 45, C.O. Submarine Veterans, Partners in Care, COVO, VetCenter, Redmond VFW Post 4108, and the VA!

CLICK HERE to learn more and reach out to us!

🎖️ VETERANS DAY PARADE

We are looking for a volunteer with a truck to represent the Ranch in the Redmond Veterans Parade on Wednesday, November 11th. (the Bend parade is covered!). We'd like to decorate the truck and have a few veterans from the Ranch ride in the back. Reply to this email to reach out!

📆 FALL/WINTER CLASS IDEAS - WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACK!

The fall and winter seasons are approaching, and we're looking at some indoor class offerings at the Ranch. Let us know what classes you'd be interested in attending, and if midweek, morning, afternoon, or Saturdays work best for you!

1. Canning vegetables - We have so many peppers and cucumbers so we're going to do some canning.

2. Shirt making with the Cricut - A fun time making shirts with your favorite saying or simple one-color graphic.

3. Partner dance class (with an option for an all-female dance class) - Learn West Coast Swing while exploring communication, connection, and the surprising things dance can teach you about yourself.

4. Cooking class - We could go in so many directions here - What would you like to learn to cook??

Have you ever canned potatoes?

🎨COCC STRIVE PROGRAM

Attention budding veteran or veteran family member entrepreneurs! Have a budding business idea? Click here to learn more about the free 8-week program (10/6 - 11/24) and how you could be awarded $6500 after pitching your idea.

☎ WOMEN VETERANS CALL LINE

Did you know that the VA has a dedicated call center for women veterans? You can call to discuss navigating VA benefits or to talk about a variety of issues you may be facing. Click here to learn more

Thank You!

We are deeply grateful to Central Willamette Credit Union for choosing the Ranch as the beneficiary of proceeds from their newly launched Veteran Strong debit card, and for sponsoring a small volunteer lunch to recognize some of our long-time volunteers. We're so excited for this partnership that runs through 2027!

Volunteer opportunities for all at the Ranch

🛠️ Upcoming Projects

• Barn clean-out
• Cabin outpost build
• Highway cleanup crews
• Thursday community lunch providers - looking for a volunteer for Thursday, September 24!!
• Vetsgiving dish providers (Monday 11/16 at 2:30pm - we need apps, sides, mains, and desserts!)

Reply to let us know if you'd like to help out!

Sponsorship Opportunities

🏡 Kitchen Remodel Needed

We are looking for cabinets, countertops, LVP flooring, a deep sink, and appliances for our kitchen remodel. Any contracting or skilled-labor help would be appreciated as well!

If you’d like to support or learn more about this sponsorship opportunity, click here to reach us.

The kitchen, "before", "before", and the proposed "after"!

🛠️ Workshop Outfitting

We're excited to start putting our workshop to use! From crafts & art, to woodworking & metalsmithing, if you or your organization/company can help us outfit the workshop with newer, good-quality materials, reach out!

Ingredient of the Month

TOMATOES!

Because they are finally coming in at the Ranch. How do you like your tomatoes? In chunks with a little salt and pepper? Sliced on a sandwich or burger?

My favorite is a good peach/tomato panzanella salad:

• Start with a bed of fresh lettuce.
• Cube and toast some good bread (ciabatta, sourdough - something home or local made).
• Cut up a tomato and a peach.
• Add some fresh mozzarella or burrata.
• Finish with some basil leaves, salt and pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic, and enjoy the last days of summer!

There is so much taking shape at Central Oregon Veterans Ranch—from meals shared around the table and creativity inspired by the land to a new community tradition honoring service and sacrifice.

Thank you for continuing to grow with us.

Flyers for more local events from our friends, below! Please see our Full Calendar for our complete list of upcoming events.

🎖️Does your organization serve veterans? If you are not already on our Veteran-Serving Partner list, we'd love to add you to the list for any specific announcements or collaboration opportunities. Just reply to this email!

Click below for our full calendar!

Central Oregon Veterans Ranch is an official 501(c)(3) non-profit registered in the State of Oregon. Your donations are fully tax-deductible. Tax ID: 37-1755279
© 2026 Central Oregon Veterans Ranch. All Rights Reserved.