The Bottom Line
Small business is important to Central Oregon, and to Mid Oregon. Find tips and resources for business, and information about Mid Oregon’s commercial services and business members.
Teen Tank- Redmond Students Pitch Projects
Shark Tank Style Event Will Feature Student Teams from Middle & High Schools
The Redmond Education Foundation is set to host the first ever Teen Tank student pitch event on May 7 at Redmond High School.
The event will feature teams from every middle and high school in Redmond School District as they pitch their ideas to a panel of guest judges. Students will pitch social, business and community focused projects to compete for the grand prize of $2,500 to execute their project.
Supporting Redmond School Students
Mid Oregon is excited to be a sponsor to support this inaugural event. This student version of “Shark Tank” fits in very well with our priorities of schools, students, community and business. Our longtime Redmond branch loan officer Jenny Kanoff also serves on the Redmond Education Foundation (REF) board of directors.
Other partner organizations involved include BasX, Straw Propeller Gourmet Foods, Redmond Kiwanis, Redmond Dental Group, Vision Source, Central Oregon Truck Company, Umpqua Bank of Redmond and Amber Wilson, Mortgage Loan Officer with Umpqua Bank.
Teen Tank Event Open to the Community
The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. at Redmond High School. Doors open at 4:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at a discounted rate of $5 per person in advance at www.redmondedfoundation.org. Tickets will also be sold at the door at $7 per person. All proceeds will benefit Redmond Education Foundation.
Attendees will enjoy live music performed by the RHS Jazz Ensemble and light refreshments made by the culinary program at Ridgeview High School. Michael Leland from Central Oregon Sparrow Clubs will serve as master of ceremonies.
Guest judges for the event include:
- Anne Graham, Redmond City Councilor
- Julie Leutschaft from Straw Propeller Gourmet Foods
- Andrew Gunther from Animal Welfare Approved
- Matthew Tobolski from BasX Solutions
- Anna Higgins from High Desert Education Service District
Julie Leutschaft, Vice President of Sales & Business for Straw Propellar Gourmet Foods and event judge, shared key points about the event.
“Straw Propeller Gourmet Foods is honored to be part of this event and we look forward to hearing the innovative ideas presented by students in the Redmond School District. We are excited to serve on the judging panel and we believe this is the start of something really great in our community. It is so important for youth to have a venue like this to express their creative ideas and we are inspired that the Redmond Education Foundation, the school district and business community have come together in support of the students to make this happen.”
For questions or more information, please contact Lisa Shropshire, Executive Director of REF, at 503-307-2436.
About the Redmond Education Foundation
The Mission of the Redmond Education Foundation is to promote and enhance excellence in the education in our community by providing independent financial support for creative, innovative and relevant programs. The Foundation exists to assist students from within the Redmond School District communities reach their highest potential, enabling them to have a positive and lasting impact as they enter society.
Community Heroes Celebration- This Night’s For You!
Costco’s Community Heroes Celebration April 30
Mid Oregon Credit Union has partnered with Costco Wholesale in Bend for their “Community Heroes Celebration” happening on Saturday evening, April 30. From 6 to 8 pm, local community heroes- Public safety (police, fire, 911 workers, etc), educators, medical industry employees and active & retired military plus their families and friends- are invited to a special shopping event at Costco. Costco membership is not required and no admission will be charged at the door.
The Community Heroes Celebration is the kickoff to Costco’s Miracle Balloon Campaign held every May. This annual campaign is the primary source of the fundraising effort made by Costco and its partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Members are invited to make a donation at the time of checkout and encouraged to write their names on the balloons, which are often displayed at the front of the warehouse. Locally the event supports OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, which has delivered hope and healing to families from throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington since 1926.
Fun Event For the Entire Family!
Costco will be providing some exclusive offers at this event. Becoming Costco members during this event attendees can receive either a $10 or $20 Costco Cash Card. Cake will be served from Costco’s bakery, and light refreshments will be served. Face painting and cookie decorating make things interesting for children. A large variety of community business partners will be present with special offers, sampling and more fun. Attendees who open a Mid Oregon account during the evening will receive a $10 Costco Cash Card which can be used that evening.
Mid Oregon Membership Especially Benefits
Mid Oregon began in 1957 with 8 Prineville school employees chartering Tri County Teachers Federal Credit Union. In 1982, after our name was changed to Mid Oregon Federal Credit Union, we merged with Central Oregon Federal Credit Union which served federal, state, county & city government employees. After Federal law was changed in the 1990’s to allow credit unions to serve communities, many medical industry employees have joined Mid Oregon.
As a result, of the almost 25,000 Mid Oregon members in Central Oregon, an estimated 6,000 of our members are currently employed or retired from one of these “Community Hero” groups. We anticipate seeing a lot of our members at Costco that evening, making this Community Heroes Celebration a perfect event for Mid Oregon to take part.
Insurance Tips for Young Adults
Insurance Needs for Young Adults
Most young people don’t think insurance is important—until they need it. Because young adults aren’t wallowing in disposable income, insurance often gets lost in the shuffle of rent, gas, and other routine bills. Here’s how to protect yourself against the unexpected without spending a fortune.
Most young adults need only three types of insurance coverage: health, renters, and auto. Life insurance is another type of policy to consider if you have financial dependents or own a business.
Your insurance needs change as you grow older. Owning a business, getting married, finding a new job, and becoming a parent are all events that call for a fresh look at insurance coverage.
First, investigate your current coverage. Your employer may offer insurance benefits. You also still may be covered by your parents’ policies. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act allows young adults younger than age 26 to stay on their parent’s plans even if they don’t live with them, are financially independent, married, or eligible to enroll in an employer’s plan. Check with your insurance agent to learn more about these policies and to make sure the existing coverage is adequate.
Tips for Saving Money
If you must purchase insurance on your own, follow these money-saving tips:
- If you can’t get health insurance through your employer, purchase it through a group, such as an alumni association or trade organization.
- Raise your deductibles. Each visit to the doctor or trip to the repair shop will cost more, but you’ll save on the overall premium. Be careful not to raise deductibles higher than you can afford, though. If a $500 bill could wipe out your monthly budget, go lower. And in the meantime, build your financial reserves by regular savings at Mid Oregon Credit Union. Ask about our Savers’ Club to build your emergency fund.
- Call at least three insurance agents. You’ll find quotes hundreds of dollars apart for the same coverage.
* Mid Oregon Credit Union has a great place to start with our partner Cascade Insurance Center and John Gould, who works in our Olney & 2nd St. branch in Bend. Call at (541) 382-7772 to get a free, no-obligation quote on your insurance coverage. As a broker, John and Cascade Insurance Center can check several carriers to find you the best coverage and rates.
- Choose your vehicle with insurance in mind. Some vehicles are far more expensive to insure than others. Check with your agent and find out what the premium will be before you buy.
- Buy only the coverage that you need and don’t get talked into unnecessary add-ons. For example, if your car is worth $1,000 or less, drop collision and comprehensive policies.
- Take advantage of every discount you’re entitled to, including those available for good students and safe drivers