Harvest is in full swing  – September 2025

Community, Connection, and Celebration

September at the Ranch is about opening doors — to new friends, fresh partnerships and deeper community ties. From ribbon cuttings to crawfish boils to women’s gatherings, it’s a month filled with reasons to connect and celebrate what we’re building together.

Here’s what’s happening this month (and how you can be part of it).

🎀 Bend Chamber Ribbon Cutting & Ranch Open House
Wednesday, September 17 | 3–6 PM

We’re thrilled to invite you to our official Bend Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting and Open House!

✨ Highlights include:

• Bites prepared by Executive Chef & Veteran Bryant Kryck (ROAM), made with produce grown at the Ranch

• Locally crafted drinks generously donated by Oregon Spirit Distillers

• Tours of our 19-acre property and program spaces

• A chance to connect with our board, executive team, and fellow supporters

This is a milestone moment for COVR — your presence helps showcase the importance of our mission. Bring a friend and join us for an inspiring afternoon!

🦞 Backyard Bayou Crawfish Boil & Raffle
Wednesday, September 24 | 2–4 PM
📍 Bangers & Brews, 827 SW 7th St., Redmond

Get ready for a Louisiana-style celebration! Crack into fresh crawfish, sip on cold drinks, and connect with friends at Bangers & Brews in Redmond.

🎟 100% of raffle proceeds benefit COVR — fueling our mission to support veterans through healing, connection, and growth.

Come hungry, leave inspired!

👩‍👩‍👧 Women’s Events at the Ranch

• September 12–14: Women’s Gun Safety & Self-Defense with Reveille and Retreat Project
  The Ranch will be closed to the public during this weekend as we host this first-time collaboration. It’s a women-only retreat focused on safety, self-defense, and healing — we’re honored to be part of this empowering gathering.

• Saturday, September 27 | 5:30 PM: Women’s Evening Gathering
  Join us for live music and fireside conversation after the Central Oregon Women Veterans Conference. This event is designed to create camaraderie among women — both local and from out of town.

📊 The Survey Results Are In!

Thank you so much to everyone who shared feedback with us through our recent participant and supporter survey. We are deeply grateful for the time you took to provide thoughtful responses and for sharing your experiences (and desired experiences!) with the Ranch. Your input will help shape our programming and guide future events.

Congratulations to our raffle winners:

• Nicole McInturuff – COVR hat

• Irene Domingez – COVR shirt

• Derek Hopp – 10 Barrel gift card

• Juliana Banse-Fay – Kohl’s gift card

Even if you didn’t complete this year’s survey, please know that you are an important part of our community. We always welcome your voice — whether it’s feedback, an offer to help, an update on your life, or a question about our offerings. You can simply reply to any of our newsletters to reach us.

🥬 Harvesting Hope, Sharing Abundance

This season, our hoop house has been especially bountiful — and thanks to the dedication of Ranch volunteers, that abundance has been shared with fellow veteran groups across Central Oregon.

All of this season’s harvest has gone to COVO’s Veterans Village and the Band of Brothers – Bend Chapter, extending the impact of the work happening at the Ranch and strengthening the bonds between organizations.

It’s a meaningful reminder that what we grow together doesn’t just stay here — it flows outward, building connection and community far beyond our gates.

🙌 How You Can Help This Month

• Patio Furniture Donations: We’re looking for gently used patio furniture to create more welcoming outdoor gathering spaces for our veterans.

• Thursday Lunch Providers: Help us nourish the community that nourishes the Ranch. Sign up to bring or sponsor lunch for our hardworking Thursday volunteers.

👉 Sign up here: Thursday Lunch Sign-Up

💻 Volunteer Spotlight: Heather Platt

This month we’re shining the spotlight on Heather Platt, who has stepped up to help with our long-overdue IT needs. Technology has been a major challenge, and Heather’s expertise is greatly appreciated.

Heather, thank you for sharing your skills, energy, and heart with the Ranch.

📅 Weekly Wellness & Community at the Ranch

Our regular offerings are here to keep you grounded, strong, and connected:

• Yoga for Veterans – Mondays & Fridays at 5 PM

• Kettlebell Class – Wednesdays at 8:30 AM

• Peer Support Group – Wednesdays at 10:30 AM

• Volunteer Day – Thursdays from 9 AM through lunch (meal provided at 12 PM)

Whether you join for wellness, peer support, or community service, there’s a place for you here each week.

💛 Keep the Momentum Growing

Every gathering, every project, every meal shared is part of something bigger — building a sustainable community of healing and purpose for veterans.

Your support makes it all possible.

🌱 Make a gift today
🧡 Volunteer or partner with us: info@covranch.org
📲 Follow us on social media and share our story

Together, we’re growing hope.

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
© 2024 Central Oregon Veterans Ranch. All Rights Reserved.