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.
Supplies 4 Schools-a Way Everyone Can Help!
Supplies 4 Schools Provides a Way for You to Help
Many kids in our community show up for school without the basic tools and supplies to be successful in class. To respond to that need, Mid Oregon created Supplies 4 Schools where collected supplies reach students through the Family Access Network and schools. For the past many years our members have always come through with overwhelming support for the program! In fact, the Family Access Network was able to provide more than 3,000 children with school supplies in 2016-17 as a result of Supplies 4 Schools and other community efforts.
Help Local Kids Off To a Great Start!
Mid Oregon Credit Union knows our members, and you, want every Central Oregon kid to get the start he or she needs to succeed in school. As a homegrown credit union founded right here in Central Oregon by local educators, we’re once again partnering with the Family Access Network and Central Oregon public school districts to collect and distribute school supplies with the Supplies 4 Schools program.
See a video about the Family Access Network (FAN) and Mid Oregon School Supply collaboration:
How to Help
Donation bins will be at your local Mid Oregon Credit Union branch anytime during the month of August. Just bring new, packaged school supplies, or you can also make a cash donation, which will be used to its fullest potential to make sure those backpacks are full come September!
Donations Stay in Your Community
When you support Supplies 4 Schools, your donations go to help the kids in your area. The Family Access Network works in schools in Deschutes and Crook County, in Jefferson County the donations go straight to your local schools for distribution. Supplies collected in our newer La Pine and Sisters branches will stay in those areas, too.
What’s Needed?
Here’s a quick list of the items that are most needed. When you’re out shopping at local retailers, be sure to grab a couple of these items on sale. Thanks for your support of this wonderful effort to help local kids!
- High school back packs
- Elementary school back packs
- Ear buds
- Basic & scientific calculators
- Composition books
- 2″ and 3″ binders
- Five-tab dividers
Other needed supplies:
- College ruled paper
- Calculators
- 1” and 2” three ring binders
- Pocket folders
- Colored pencils
- Color markers (thick and thin)
- Highlighters
- Alarm clocks
- Dry erase markers/pens
- Compasses and protractors
- Rulers
- Glue and glue sticks
- Tissue boxes
Remember, your cash donations are appreciated and will be applied to the supplies needed most. For more information about Supplies 4 Schools, please call 541-382-1795, or send an us an email.
Mid Oregon Reaches $300 Million In Assets
Mid Oregon reaches $300 million in assets
Today we announced that our assets had grown to exceed $300 million for the first time as of June 30, 2018. Mid Oregon credit union, which is the only financial institution headquartered in Central Oregon, cited a healthy economy, strong lending demand, and a focused growth strategy for the accomplishment.
“The Mid Oregon Executive Team has been preparing our team for smart growth for the past several years,” says Bill Anderson, Mid Oregon CEO. “By establishing and maintaining our focus on our Key Results—including growth in membership and overall member relationships—our entire team has worked together to consistently exceed our growth goals while maintaining our high standards for member service and convenience.”
From $200 Million in 3 Years
Mid Oregon achieved the $200-million-asset milestone in May of 2015, and crossed over $100 million in assets in July of 2006. The institution currently has more than 31,000 members in its service area encompassing Central Oregon. The institution has also granted more than $1 billion in loans since its inception in 1957.
Recent events have contributed to the increase in Mid Oregon’s growth rate, including introducing its Simply Free checking account for both individuals and businesses, rolling out a revamped Mobile Banking app, opening a full-service branch in Sisters, and most recently, the acquisition of the assets and accounts of High Desert Bank in June 2018.
About Mid Oregon
Mid Oregon Credit Union is a full-service, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in and serving Central Oregonians since 1957. With more than 31,000 members in Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, Lake, and North Klamath Counties, Mid Oregon Credit Union partners with our members to help them achieve their financial dreams. For more information about our services and branch locations in Bend, Redmond, Madras, Prineville, La Pine and Sisters, please visit https://www.midoregon.com
Six Ways to Save in College
Colleges in Central Oregon
Most of us in Central Oregon are very excited about Oregon State University Cascades and what it will bring for our region. As it grows and adds degrees and programs, and the relevance to our economy and culture expands, it is becoming more attractive as a destination college.
COCC continues to be the prime education resource for youth and adults alike, and provides choices and flexibility. Regardless of whether our youth choose one of our local options or find their post-secondary education out of the area, paying for it can be difficult.
Going to School Out of the Area
If you are out or soon getting out of high school, and you choose to leave Central Oregon, going off to college is an exciting time! Your world is about to open wide, providing you with new opportunities to expand your mind, meet new people, and begin the groundwork for your career (or figure it out). One very important skill you’ll need is learning how to save while living on your own. The easy first step is finding out what you don’t need to buy.
Six Ways to Save in College
• A printer. They take up too much space, and the cost of ink and paper can add up. Check with your college to see if they have a printer allowance (usually included in the school’s technology fee), giving you access to the school’s printers. Also, many professors prefer that you turn in your papers electronically through the school’s educational portal (e.g., Blackboard or Moodle.)
• Computer software. Most schools have special arrangements with Microsoft to provide the Office Student to their students for free. For virus software, if you have cable at home, virus software is usually available to download through the cable provider.
• Toilet papers and bathroom cleaning supplies. If you’re living in a dorm, you won’t need these products. But if you’re living in a suite style dorm with its own bathroom, check with the school to see if room and board fees include janitorial services.
• Television. First of all, with classes, homework, and studying, you’ll have very little free time to watch TV. Second, your laptop will be able to stream most of your favorite shows. Third, most colleges have TVs in common rooms.
• Ironing board and iron. They take up too much space and you’ll likely use it…maybe never. If wrinkled clothes really bother you, get a small steamer instead.
• A car. You’re going to spend most of your time on campus, so there’s little reason to pay for monthly loan payments, parking fees, gas, and insurance. Use public transportation or a bike to get to places too far to walk.
Another way to save is to keep track of small expenses, like eating out or buying cigarettes. Those expenses add up over time. For instance, just buying a Starbucks latte (around $4.00) every day means you’ll spend $300 on coffee in one semester! Make a budget and do your best to stick to it. It’ll make saving money much easier and make living on your own a little less stressful.
Mid Oregon Accounts Might Help You Save Money
If you move out of Central Oregon, you might be tempted to think you need a financial institution in the area. But think carefully before you make a change. If you have a Mid Oregon account, you can’t save any more money than our “Simply Free Checking”, with no monthly service charge or minimum balance requirement. Many financial institutions promise free checking while in college or until age 23 or so, but after they convert to a fee-based, or high qualifier option.
Mid Oregon has 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs in our network, and our Mobile App can provide all the access and convenience you need. Together with our free debit cards, you will continue to access your money, check balances and more at no cost to you. We can be part of a successful college journey, and be there for you when you enter the next stage of your exciting life!