Coins donated at the Oregon Mennonite Festival for World Relief add up! Last year our Penny Power gifts totaled more than $15,000 for Mennonite Central Committee water projects. We hope to collect even more this year, under the program’s new name: My Coins Count.* 

Go to the festival website (oregonfestivalforworldrelief.com) for a downloadable poster and information about MCC water projects. My Coins Count is a great way that kids can help make life better for other children worldwide. Some congregations collect coins all through the summer! 

Here are three ways to make a splash with My Coins Count: 

· Designate a denomination. One church started a “Don’t spend a dime” initiative, inviting members to notice and set aside dimes.

· Multiply your matches. Having one person in the congregation match a My Coins Count collection on a particular Sunday is great. But what happens if you get five people, or even 10, to match donations?

· Try a tax. Invite families to keep track of how often someone turns on the faucet and donate a certain amount for each use.■
 
*Wondering what happened to Penny Power? MCC renamed the U.S. and Canadian effort after Canada took the penny out of circulation.

MCC Fund Raising Dinner/Concerts - A big THANK YOU from the two Dinner/Concert committees [north valley & south valley] of the Mennonite Festival for World Relief , to those of you who attended and contributed to making these celebrative evenings.  

Your presence was much appreciated, as well and your generous gifts which amounted to $27,879 for the two Dinner/Concerts.  

These contributions have been designated to MCC Water Projects.  Millions of people do not have enough to eat because of conflict, disaster, poverty or unfair policies. 

MCC works to ensure there is food for all.  A significant link in this chain of food provision is that MCC works to make sure people have access to enough clean water.   

Your contribution empowers communities and gives dignity to individuals.  Your generosity gives "a cup of cold water"...a Christ act...a gift from God.

Seating is limited – make your reservation today

Longtime festival friends Gwen and Les Gustafson-Zook and their daughter Sadie are returning to Oregon this summer for two fundraising dinner concerts benefiting Mennonite Central Committee clean water projects. Please join us for great food and wonderful music on July 19 in the North Valley (Sherwood, Ore.) at 6 p.m. and July 20 in the South Valley (Albany, Ore.) with appetizers beginning at 4 p.m.

Now Indiana residents, Les and Gwen were Service Adventure leaders in Albany and worked with MCC in Portland in the ’90s. An internationally recognized autoharp player, Les’ current responsibilities with MCC include connecting with relief sales like the Festival for World Relief throughout North America. Gwen is the Minister of Worship at Goshen College, where  Sadie is a student. Listeners of all ages will enjoy their blend of traditional and contemporary folk music. Don’t miss this rare opportunity!

Register online at oregonfestivalforworldrelief.com (see "Fundraisers") or call Barb Buxman at 503-522-5324 (North Valley) or Denise Diller at 541-704-0451 (South Valley). The South Valley meal is by donation (gratefully accepted at the event). Space is limited at North Valley, so save your seats by registering then sending $25 per person to Barb at 11424 NE Skidmore St., Portland, OR 97220 (checks payable to OMFWR). Contact her with any questions.■

July 19 (Portland) and 20 (Albany): MCC Clean Water Fund Raising Concerts featuring traditional and contemporary folk music from Les and Gwen Gustafson-Zook of Goshen, Ind.

August 3-8: West Coast MCC Idaho Panhandle Bike Ride, a week of beautiful rails to trails rides to support MCC water projects.

October 11: 31st annual Oregon Mennonite Festival for World Relief (psst, quilters: the 2014 quilting challenge is to make a mini wallhanging, 22 inches or less)