Mail Tribune: Witnessing History - Some Jackson County residents at DC inauguration. National Service Day Success at JCDP HQ
Locals support day of service by Damian Mann
Many Jackson County residents joined in President-elect Barack Obama's call for a national day of service Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
In Medford, a constant stream of visitors brought clothing, food and other donations to the Democratic headquarters.
"My husband cleared out his closets," said 50-year-old Medford resident Dana Rayburn. Her daughter, 9-year-old Aja, said, "We brought two bags of clothes."
The Medford Democratic office was overwhelmed with donations for local organizations such as the Salvation Army, the Veterans Affairs clinics in White City, the Southern Oregon Humane Society and Committed Alliance to Strays, organizers said.
"It's been crazy wonderful," said Denise Cyr, who heads up the community outreach program for local Democrats. "You've got people here with hearts the size of Texas."
For the donation drive, which continues today, the Salvation Army sent over two barrels, one to collect food and the other for clothing.
Cyr said two cars loaded from the passenger seat to the trunk with clothes, blankets and shoes brought the donations to the Salvation Army.
"We had a lady stop by and ask if we still needed pet food, and we said yes," said Cyr. "She opens the hatch on her car and brings out three 50-pound sacks of dog food."