🇺🇸 Veterans Day Message — A Note from the Ranch
Veterans Day stands at the heart of everything we do at the Ranch. Tomorrow, we pause to honor the courage, resilience and service of the veterans who continue to shape our community with their presence. We are grateful for every veteran who walks through our gates — whether to work the land, share a meal, find connection, or simply breathe in the peace of this space. You remind us why this mission matters. To all veterans and military families: thank you.
Please note The Ranch will be closed to allow our staff, including several veterans, the opportunity to honor, reflect and celebrate.
🍂 Gratitude in Action
Community, Connection, and Celebration
November at the Ranch is about gratitude in motion — partners rallying for veterans, neighbors gathering to share a meal, and a community showing up in meaningful ways. From Veterans and Military Families Month collaborations to Vets-giving, there are so many ways to be part of the good happening here.
Wishing a very HAPPY 250th to our Marines today! Also, we are thinking of and honoring our community of veterans tomorrow on Veterans Day (and every day!).
Here’s what’s happening this month (and how you can be part of it)
🦃 Vets-giving! (Potluck Community Dinner)
Monday, November 24
3:30 PM arrival • Food at 4:00 PM • Wrap ~6:30 PM
We’d love to share an evening of gratitude with our veteran community and families. We’ll host a potluck-style meal (the Ranch provides the turkey!). We’ll also have a simple and meaningful activity to write encouragement cards for Oregon National Guard soldiers on deployment this holiday season.
RSVPs are required so we can plan seating and food. You can also note the dish you’ll bring.
👉 RSVP here:
🎁 Central Oregon Gives 2025!
The season of gratitude and giving has arrived! Central Oregon Gives kicked off Thursday, November 6. COVR is in the Health & Environment category — and we’re aiming to win for:
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Most raised in our category
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Overall total raised
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Most gifts under $25 (every small gift counts!)
Follow our social channels or the Central Oregon Gives website each week for fun donor incentives from campaign sponsors. Your gift keeps programs and operations strong all winter. Use this link to check us out!
🌲 Same Ranch. New Look.
We’ve been working behind the scenes to make the Ranch more welcoming to more Central Oregon veterans — especially those historically underserved (including women veterans). Through one-on-one outreach and new community partnerships, we’re seeing so many new faces and stories of connection.
Rooted in purpose, growth, community, and nature, we’ll soon unveil a fresh new logo.
Same Ranch. New Look. Stay tuned!
💡 How You Can Help This Month
As we focus on improving and organizing our facilities, we’d love extra hands to help tidy and refresh spaces like the kitchen, closets, storage, and shared areas. Every bit of help makes the Ranch more welcoming and functional for our veterans and visitors.
You can also support the Ranch by collecting bottles and cans!
We have COVR collection bags available for pick-up at the Ranch and we are happy to deliver them to local businesses that want to participate. It’s an easy way to make a big impact — every recycled item helps fund our programs and upkeep.
If you'd like to help in any way, please contact Heather Martin at heatherm@covranch.org or by calling (925) 595-4490.
🧻 Current Needs at the Ranch
We’re in need of some everyday essentials that support our operations and volunteer programming:
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Paper Products: Toilet paper, paper towels, napkins
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Bottled Drinks: Water, sparkling water, sports drinks, and canned beverages
- Tupperware - Food storage containers
Donations can be dropped off during our regular hours or coordinated by emailing info@covranch.org. Every contribution — big or small — helps keep the Ranch a welcoming and functional space for all who visit.
🕘 New Seasonal Hours (Reminder)
To focus our resources and keep the Ranch running strong through winter:
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Closed: Sunday & Monday
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Open: Tuesday–Saturday, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Thank you for your understanding as we align operations with community needs and winter conditions.
🙌 Weekly at the Ranch
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Volunteer Day — Thursdays, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Come lend a hand with ranch projects and greenhouse work.
Lunch is provided at 12:00 PM. (Thank you to our incredible lunch sponsors!)
Want to provide or sponsor a Thursday lunch? Click this link.
💛 Keep the Momentum Growing
Every partner, project, and shared meal strengthens a community of healing and purpose for veterans.
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Volunteer or partner: info@covranch.org
