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Swedemom Center of Giving and MacHub
Passionate about making a difference in the financial stability
of charitable organizations
What We’re Up To
eBay Executive Team Visit
Recently we were honored to host about 15 eBay executives who came from their San Jose, San Francisco, and Portland offices to observe our charitable model and operations. Executive Director, Cami Nyquist, and other staff were able to give our guests an explanation of our nonprofit and a tour of our current building as well as the new building we will soon be moving to. They were also able to stop by the McMinnville Economic Development Partnership offices to visit their staff and make connections.
Swedemom has been selling on eBay since 1999 and through the years our relationship with the representatives there has grown into one of collaboration and curiosity. This visit indicates a new opportunity to work together towards a common goal. In all her years of business, Cami has never heard of visits like this taking place. We're proud to say the hard work we do is not going unnoticed. We are grateful to have had this opportunity to share our mission with people who understand the vision and who will work to spread our message of bringing hope and light to those who need it.
We Are Moving!
On May first we are moving our internal production operations from our office at 500 NW Hill Road in McMinnville to the old News Register building on Third Street. The church we are currently renting from is hoping to expand their ministry and needs the extra space to do so. While this comes as a shock, we are ready for the opportunity to set ourselves up for a successful future in our new location.
Partner Spotlight
This year marks the 6th year Swedemom Center of Giving will participate in the McMinnville Works Summer Internship Program.
"The McMinnville WORKS Internship Program connects local businesses and organizations to talented young collegiate professionals through project-based internship opportunities. Internships are 9+ weeks, full-time, paid, and held during the summer." This year, the internship program runs from June 20 until August 11.
Our partnership with MEDP has sent many talented and bright students our way over the years, some have even come back or stayed employed with us even after their internship ended. We have found that by participating in this partnership we are able to add new perspective, energy, and talent to our team that significantly adds to the value of our nonprofit and our service to others.
The interns we select are often students studying Computer Science, Software Engineering, Graphic Design, or Marketing. Our Computer Science interns work to develop new processes, fix bugs, and compile important business data within our internal hub system. Our Marketing interns assist with graphic design, photography, and videography that is used to further our message on our websites and social media pages.
This year also marks the first year we will be participating in the Career Bound program.
"The purpose of a Career Bound position is to help integrate youth age 14-24 into the workforce while exposing young people to career paths available, including those in the skilled trades."
We will be mentoring two youth interns this year. One will be assisting with book sorting and production processes. The other will be doing this as well as assisting with the upcoming move, helping at our auction warehouse, and on pick-ups around the community.
Being able to provide internships and valuable work experience to both college level and high school level students goes hand in hand with our mission to redeem people and "stuff". With the real world knowledge they gain through their internship with Swedemom Center of Giving, opportunities for their bright future open up. We are grateful for the partnership we have with MEDP and the amazing interns that come through their programs.
Get To Know Our Team
John Schmidt is a valued member of the Swedemom Center of Giving team. He has come in with open arms to support us and was generous enough to share a bit about himself and how he got involved with our organization. He is currently living in McMinnville. We are blessed and grateful for his participation and support in our mission. Thank you, John!
How did you first get involved with Swedemom Center of Giving?
I moved from Montana to Mac to start a church in March 2020. A week after I arrived, all the COVID shut-downs began. For six months, I could do nothing as I (and the rest of the world) tried to figure out the 'new normal.' Eventually, rather than focusing on starting a church, I focused on ways I could serve the community. Through this, Cami saw a posting on Facebook and contacted me to have a conversation. We found that both of us had a similar passion to put our faith into action through meeting real needs.
What does your role with the organization entail?
Before I left the business world to become a pastor, I worked for large and small companies in a variety of business/finance roles. Because I had COVID-related time availability and Cami had a need at SCOG, I volunteered to help establish some business/accounting systems to provide the information Cami needed for decision making. That initial effort has evolved to where I currently provide all of the monthly accounting services for SCOG. I am continuing in that role, not because I want to continue to do accounting, but because of relationships.
Can you talk a bit about your business and ministry?
As part of getting ready to start a church, I started a Furniture Bank about 1-1/2 years ago to provide the opportunity to meet physical needs while also providing the opportunity to meet with people regarding other needs in their lives. MacHub has been one of the sources of donations to this endeavor. Additionally, I'm also serving as the President of Love INC of Greater McMinnville and the West Valley. Love INC networks and mobilizes area churches together to better serve the community. Currently, focusing on the church start, the Furniture Bank, Love INC, and my responsibilities at SCOG keep me pretty busy!
Click the button below to learn more about how you can volunteer and share your knowledge with us. Thank you for your support.
Earth Day Hooray!
April 22nd 1970 was the first Earth Day. During the ’60s there was a boom in environmental awareness and a craving for activism. Inspired by student protestors, Wisconsin Junior Senator Gaylord Nelson teamed with Congressman Pete McCloskey and activist Denis Hayes. They came together to start teach-ins to inform the public about conservation. They began on April 22nd deeming it the best time as young adults would be on spring break and could participate in hearing or sharing the information. Several decades later and we are still celebrating this day to spread awareness.
MacHub, similar to the creators of Earth Day, aspires to help the community in many ways. One of those ways is reducing waste by reusing preloved items. We take items from our local community and get them where they need to go whether that is donated to another organization for a home in need of furnishing or groups of growing kids in need of shoes of varying sizes. MacHub, similar to what recycling does for the environment, brings that healthy energy into the community.
During our past Earth Day events, we invited groups of young adults and teens with some supervision of some of the best volunteers in Yamhill County to sort and work through our donated items. We mix community bonding with a sense of care for the world around us, showing the importance of not just volunteering but what sticking together and giving back can do.
Like Nelson, McCloskey, and Hayes we do not want to only work hard at giving back but inspire others to do the same, to be a focal point for giving in whatever way we can. MacHub has its way, Denis Hayes had his, now what's your way?
-Sören Smithrud
We are always in need of financial support. If you feel called, click the button below to donate to our cause of bringing light to the McMinnville and surrounding communities. Thank you for your support!
A Division of Swedemom Center of Giving (501c3)
Spring Sales With MacHub!
Find everything you need to brighten your home, wardrobe and so much more! You can find fantastic deals every day, shop for a local cause, and help the planet with MacHub! Through our partnership with Swedemom, we have an online shopping platform that makes it easy and safe to browse our stock of furniture, collectibles, décor, and more.
Mark your calendars in April, May, and June for MacHub's Online Auctions! With a wide variety of items and prices, there is surely something for everyone!
Registration is FREE and there is currently NO BUYER PREMIUM.
MacHub's Next Pre-loved and Useable Items Online Auction:
Bidding begins at 8:00 AM on April 14th and begins closing on April 19th at 5:00 PM.
To view our catalog, click the button below to go to the HiBid auction site. Be sure to check back often! New lots are being added every day!
Looking for an opportunity to volunteer or share your skills? Wednesdays are volunteer days at MacHub! We invite you to join our volunteer base to help serve our community and have fun while doing it! We are always looking for people to help, especially those who have knowledge with specific products. If you'd like to participate or learn more about our volunteer opportunities, please visit our website below or email us at volunteers@machub.org for more information!
Every day is Earth Day at MacHub! We strive to give unused items new homes to keep them out of the landfill. Consider participating in our next auction from April 14-19 and help support us in our efforts!
Help ensure the future of our organization!
If you appreciate what we are doing, we welcome your financial support. Donate today through Swedemom Center of Giving or email for more information at donations@machub.org.
You can help spread the word about Swedemom Center of Giving and MacHub! Share this newsletter with your networks and be sure to like and follow us on social media. Thank you for your support!