Madras Based Organizations
4-H (through the OSU Extension Service) - The organization's executive council meets at 7 p.m. the second Monday of the month at the Extension Service office. The group, which focuses primarily on agricultural production activities, promotes youth involvement in community projects, and learning by doing.
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) - The board meets at 1 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Senior Center. Yearly membership in the national AARP is $8, with local membership $2. AARP membership is available to people 50 or older.
Alpha Omicron - Business meetings are held at 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month; social meetings are at 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month. The meetings are held in members' homes. The group supports many local projects. Fund raising is conducted through a number of means. The group is also a large contributor to the state Easter Seals program.
American Legion - Meetings are held at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the Senior Center. This veterans' organization promotes veterans' interests through a variety of activities. There are approximately 41 members in the local group. Annual Dues are $15.
American Red Cross - The office is located in the Nazarene Church, 63 SW D St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Phone number during those hours is (541) 475-3943. The Red Cross in Jefferson County has volunteers in Warm Springs, Madras, Culver, Crooked River Ranch and Metolius. All are disaster volunteers who are trained and are available in the event of a major disaster. Volunteers also give the following services: blood donation, service to the military, health and safety, single family disaster, finance, fund raising, publicity, training, administration and national disaster assistance.
Art Adventure Gallery - The gallery, located a t 185 SE 5th, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the arts in Jefferson County and Central Oregon. The gallery can also be reached by writing: P.O. Box 376, Madras. Art Adventure Gallery is open all year. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. The gallery focuses primarily on Central Oregon Artists, and hosts a monthly featured artist. The gallery's annual meeting is held in February, preceding the opening of the All Jefferson County Show. There is also a classroom facility available at the gallery. SEE PICTURE
Bean Foundation - Sumner Rodriguez, is the president and can be reached at (541) 475-2370. Meetings are held as the need arises. The foundation administers the property that Al Bean donated to the community.
Bloodmobile -The bloodmobile comes to Madras one day every two months, usually on a Thursday, and usually at the United Methodist Church. Once a year the bloodmobile is at Madras High School. The bloodmobile also stops in Culver every other month and once a year in Warm Springs.
Central Oregon Board of Realtors - The board represents Realtors in Jefferson, Crook, Deschutes and Harney counties. The organization has a total of approximately 900 members, with 42 in Jefferson County. Central Oregon Board of Realtors is a trade association, affiliated with the National Association of Realtors.
Buff Boosters - The group meets at 7:30 p.m. the first Monday of the month during the school year at the Madras High School Library. The group does a variety of fund raising activities benefiting students within the district.
Central Oregon Buckskin Club - a horse club whose goal is to promote, show, breed & enjoy buckskin horses (although we have members with all breeds & colors of horses). Visit our homepage at: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/4159 email any questions for COBC to: cobuckskin@hotmail.com.
Democratic Central Committee - Mike Ahern, chairman, can be contacted at (541) 475-3106. The group announces its meetings in the Meetings and Events calendar of the Madras Pioneer. The organization is chartered to promote Democratic Candidates in Jefferson County.
Eastern Star - Membership in this philanthropic organization requires a family member who is in the Masons organization. Regular meetings are at 7:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month in the Masonic Hall. The group contributes to cancer and other medical research, care for approximately 90 elderly people in need at the care home in Forest Grove, and scholarships for religious education.
Elks (BPOE) - The group meets at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Elks Lodge. Major beneficiaries of the group's charity are the sight, speech, and handicap assistance programs. The lodge promotes drug abuse prevention programs and bicycle safety, and sponsors the Easter Egg Hunt in Madras. The lodge has a membership of approximately 840.
Girl Scouts - The group leaders meet at 7 p.m. the first Monday of the month at the Jefferson County Library. The organization stresses character development and citizenship training.
Boy Scouts - Steve Nitschelm, scout master, can be contacted at (541) 475-7826. The Boy Scout Troop 158 meetings are 7 p.m. Mondays during the school year at the United Methodist Church. The group conducts outdoor events an average of once a month. The organization stresses character development and citizenship training.
Habitat for Humanity - This Organization builds affordable houses with people in need, funded by donations and partnering with community businesses, churches and groups. Each homeowner is required to help build their house with the all-volunteer crews. The board meets on the second Thursday of each month.
Habitat operates a ReStore, at the corner of 4th and D Street. The store hours are 1 to 5 Wednesday and 10 to 5 on Saturday. Emphasis is on furniture, appliances, surplus building materials etc. Donations are also accepted at those times and tax credit is available. Call 475-9722 for information or to request a pick-up of a donation. Proceeds go to building houses. Applications for Habitat housing can be picked up at the store. Volunteers are welcome and needed.
Hospital Auxiliary - The group raises funds to buy equipment for Mountain View Hospital, and awards scholarships for medical education. Funds are raised through the Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop on Fifth Street in Madras, and at a gift shop at Mountain View Hospital. The group has lunches and meetings starting at 11:30 a.m. the third Monday of each month at the Mountain View Hospital Auxiliary room.
Jefferson County Museum - The Jefferson County Historical Society and Museum board meets at noon on the second Tuesday of every month at the Extension Service Building. The museum is dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of Jefferson County. The museum is traditionally open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, June through September. The museum specializes in early transportation in the area, homesteads, and artifacts of old Jefferson County.
Jefferson County Seniors - Meetings are the first Tuesday of each month, with the board meeting at 11 a.m. followed by the regular meeting at 1 p.m. at the Senior Center. There are approximately 75 members. Lunches are noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. After lunch on Fridays are Little Bingo games. The group does volunteer work in the community. Members take part in exercise groups, take occasional trips, and visit other centers. There is also a small library at the center. Membership is $1 per year, and is available to people 60 or over.
Job's Daughters - The Jefferson County chapter of this nationwide organization meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month at the Masonic Hall. The group helps young girls in the community develop to their full potential as adults. The group also helps girls with their education after high school through scholarships. Girls can join at age 11 and can remain active members until graduation from high school. Upon graduation they can become majority members, and help the active members.
Juniper Branch of Family Finders - The Juniper Branch of Family Finders exists to provide resources to aid in historical research both individual and regional and as a repository of information for others to access.
Juniper Rebekah Lodge - This philanthropic organization meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month in the Oddfellows Hall in Madras. The group is involved in a variety of activities benefiting the community, and is sponsor of the United Nations Pilgrimage, a program through which a Central Oregon high school sophomore or junior takes a month-long trip to New York City, including a visit to the United Nations, and to Washington, D.C.
Kiwanis Club of Madras -The group meets at 12 noon on Tuesdays at the Stag Restaurant. This community service organization focuses on youth development, and sponsors basketball and soccer programs, and Operation Rudolph, which provides Christmas presents for children in need. The group has 62 members. See their web page.
Knights of Columbus - Meetings are at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at the Catholic Church in Madras. This Catholic men’s group supports the Catholic community primarily, and also the community at large by supporting, for instance, the feeding and housing of hungry and homeless with a special program.
Ladies of the Elks - The group meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month at the Elks Lodge in Madras. A birthday dinner is held the last Wednesday of each month. The group, made up of woman who have relatives who are members of the Elks Lodge, raises money for a variety of charities and special community projects.
Madras Lions - The group meets every Wednesday at noon at The Stag. The board meeting is the second Wednesday of the month. The group supports programs that help people with hearing & vision disabilities. The group also works with the Kiwanis Club in sponsoring the Saturday Basketball program for third through sixth-grades. See their web site.
Madras Saddle Club - The group promotes riding skills in the county, and has a riding skills playday at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds once a month. The group also does community service projects.
Madras Sunrunners - The group sponsors the Fourth of July Sprinkler Run, and the George Wilson Memorial Run in November. The races are 10 kilometer, with a fun run of 2 kilometers.
Masons (Madras Lodge 169) - The group meets at 8 p.m. the third Thursday at the Masonic Temple in Madras. The Shriner’s Hospital in Portland is a principal beneficiary of the group’s charity activities.
Oddfellows - The group holds regular meetings every Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the Oddfellows Hall in Madras. This philanthropic group works at helping the community in a variety of ways, including grants to the eye bank, and funding for arthritis and other medical programs.
Mount Jefferson Rifle, Archery and Pistol Association -
Republican Central Committee - The group which meets when needed, promotes Republican candidates in Jefferson County.
Rod and Gun Club - The group meets on Wednesday evenings and Sundays for recreational shooting. Additionally, the organization sponsors competitive trap shooting on a seasonal basis.
Rotary - The group provides scholarships for students, and donates to the Jefferson County Senior Center, Habitat for Humanity, the Jefferson County Baseball Association, and other organizations in the community. Fund-raising includes the Washington Birthday Celebration at Kah-Nee-Ta, and publication of a sports brochure of high school sports information distributed free at games.
Salvation Army - This fund is administered by Jefferson County (541) 475-2449. The group provides emergency assistance to people in need.
Central Oregon Shrine Club - The group promotes the financing of Shriner’s Hospital.
United Methodist Women - Meetings are held when needed. The group sponsors an all-church bizarre during December. Money goes to the church, and to missionary work of the women’s division of the United Methodist Church. The group also helps women in the community who are in need.
Veterans of Foreign Wars - The group meets at 8 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month at the Senior Center. The group is dedicated to helping and promoting the interests of veterans, especially those who are sick or disabled.
Xi Delta Mu - This group meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month at members’ homes. The group is a cultural, social and service women’s organization.
Zeta Beta - The group meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month at members’ houses. This is a woman’s organization that fills the need for social and civic opportunities for women. Fund-raising includes snow-cone sales at the summer Bright Wood Picnic, benefiting the International Endowment Fund.