Bend will always be home to a big piece of my heart. My kids grew up there, and some of my dearest friends and clients are raising their families there now. Since October 15, I’ve watched from Texas as Bend did what Bend always does. It showed up.
Restaurants fed families for free. Breweries turned a Wednesday night into a fundraiser. Coffee shops gave away a full day of sales. And one small moment made it personal for me.
When Bronwen Jewelry offered free necklaces, my best friend in Bend commented on the post. I saw her comment and asked, without thinking much about it, if she’d grab one for my daughter too. Our girls are best friends. A few days ago, she texted me a photo: two necklaces, one for each of our girls.
I first found Bronwen when we lived in Bend, and I own several pieces. It’s made for an active life, so I wear mine on the trail and in the water without a second thought. Bronwen is a small Bend business that showed up when it mattered, and I want my friends in Texas to know about them too. You can shop their pieces at bronwenjewelry.com.
Several friends here in Texas have reached out asking how they can help. They’d seen GoFundMe pages online but weren’t sure which ones were legitimate, so they asked me for links I trust. That’s why I put this page together: to gather the verified ways to help in one place, and to thank the businesses and neighbors who stepped up. I’ll keep adding to it.
Verified ways to give
These come from Bend-La Pine Schools, the Oregon Community Foundation, Silver Rail parents and GoFundMe’s reviewed campaign page. Please give through these links rather than ones shared in comments.
| Where to give | What it supports |
|---|---|
| Silver Rail Recovery Fund (Bend-La Pine Schools) | Immediate and ongoing recovery needs for the Silver Rail community. Choose “Silver Rail Recovery Fund” on the form. |
| Silver Rail PTO | Silver Rail families, who will help decide how the money is used |
| Silver Rail Children’s Fund | A nonprofit started by Silver Rail parents. Its Kids Fun Fund pays local businesses directly for activities and play for the children. |
| Oregon Community Foundation Rapid Response Fund | Short-term needs across Bend as they come up, including mental health support |
| Megan Lambert Memorial Fund | Causes close to Megan’s heart, set up by the Lambert family |
| Megan Lambert Volleyball Scholarship (Central Oregon Volleyball Club) | Young athletes who want to play volleyball, whatever their family’s finances |
| Coming Together for the Summer Family and their Meal Train | The Summer family’s household needs and meals |
| Support Saylor’s Recovery | Saylor’s family, with medical, lodging and travel costs |
| Support Ms. Becky’s Healing Journey | Silver Rail educational assistant Becky Drury and her husband |
| Stand With Kaylub | Kaylub Giamanco’s family, including counseling and care |
| Oregon Family School Donations | Meals, groceries and daily needs for the family of an Oregon Family School staff member. The school asks that names and details stay private. |
| GoFundMe’s Silver Rail relief page | Every reviewed Silver Rail campaign in one place, updated as new ones are added |
The businesses and neighbors who showed up
These are the places to thank with your business.
Still happening
- Shevlin Crossing Art Gallery: proceeds from its show opening Oct 29 go to Silver Rail.
- 350 Deschutes: donating to Silver Rail through Oct 31.
- The Hook & Plow: kids eat free through the end of October.
- Pinky G’s Pizzeria: free slices for first responders and Silver Rail families and teachers, for as long as it’s needed.
- Austin Kitchen, Wine Bar & Mercantile: kids eat free, with games and coloring to keep little hands busy.
- 7 Summits & Co: Bend Strong shirts, now on pre-order. According to 7 Summits & Co, proceeds go to the families of the four who were lost and to Saylor, Kaylub and Becky, sent straight to each family’s fundraising page at the Silver Rail PTO’s request.
- Toys for Hope: a district-approved drive collecting brand-new sensory and activity toys for Silver Rail students (K–5), with drop-off bins at businesses around Central Oregon, through Fri, Oct 30.
- Free family gathering, Sat, Nov 7, 2 PM, Alpenglow Park: local photographers and businesses are offering free family portraits for Silver Rail families, plus coffee, treats and comfort items. The wider community is welcome too.
Thank You for Giving Back
This community jumped into action. Seeing how quickly these businesses rallied around everyone impacted is truly admirable. I always knew Bend was a special place, and this response proved it all over again. These fundraisers have wrapped up, but they deserve a shout-out. Please show them some love and thank them with your business.
- Silver Moon Brewing hosted a Wednesday night fundraiser. GoodLife Brewing and Cascade Lakes Brewing matched donations, and Webfoot Home Improvements gave $10,000.
- Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge hosted a fundraiser night, with chef Brian Malarkey matching donations.
- Porchlight Coffee and Dilly Dally Coffee gave a full day’s proceeds.
- Dutch Bros gave $1 from every drink one Friday to the Silver Rail PTO.
- Kefi Fast Fresh Mediterranean and The Lot Food Carts and Taproom each gave a day’s sales.
- Key Creative sold prints of Bend and raised $10,000 for the PTO.
- Portello Wine Bar raised more than $3,700 for Saylor’s family.
- Foxtail Bakeshop sold apple fritters and cider for the families, and On Tap hosted a benefit concert.
- Dry Canyon Club in Redmond gave the proceeds of its Pumpkin Painting Party.
Giving in Action
They say the way to a community’s heart is through food, and Bend proved it. In the days after October 15, neighbors and local businesses opened their kitchens and their doors so no family, teacher or first responder went without a warm meal, a cup of tea or a few hours of comfort.
- Luckey’s Woodsman served free meals and helped Bend-La Pine Schools with free lunches.
- Bend Breakfast Burritos fed kids and delivered breakfast to schools.
- Jackson’s Corner handed out free sack lunches, The Pantry poured free grief tea, and Fat Tony’s Pizzeria and Maison Kokoro fed the community.
- Teal Tea & Art Lounge, Dakota’s Brick Shop, Fancywork Yarn Shop, McMenamins and the High Desert Museum opened their doors for free activities.
- Cheba Hut hosted a family afternoon at Riverbend Park.
- Bronwen Jewelry gave away free necklaces.
And then there’s everyone without a storefront: the thousands who filled Drake Park for the vigil, the students who left cards and flowers at the school, and whoever turned the Centennial Logger into an angel overnight.
Bend, you’ve reminded all of us what a community is supposed to look like. If you know of another fundraiser, event or way to support the Silver Rail families and community, send it my way and I’ll add it here. 🤍 #BendStrong
Warmly, Brenda
Details change quickly. Please give through the official links above, and check with each business before you go.