Life’s harsh in the High Desert as the temperatures turn bitter cold and the snow falls like a wave of white. Most of us still have a roof over our heads, but there are too many parents and kids struggling to find a warm and affordable place to live.

Nonprofits such as First Story and Building Partners for Affordable Housing help bring affordable housing to the community. This year they have partnered with Building Solutions, Henry, NorthWest Crossing and Harcourt the Garner Group to sponsor our first Holiday Chefs on Tour. The event will help raise funds and toys for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation.

On Sunday, Dec. 7, the Central Oregon Builders Association is hosting an encore edition of our summer Chefs on Tour. Attendees can visit some of Central Oregon’s new homes and homebuilders on both the west and east sides of Bend, while tasting food and drink from great local chefs. Monetary and toy donations will be accepted for the Toys for Tots program.

Toys for Tots needs your help to make sure they can deliver more than 9,000 toys to more than 5,000 kids in Central Oregon. They are short this year and need the community to come through for the underprivileged children in the area.

Because of my work, I see much of the giving that goes unrecognized but still blesses our community. Some of the businesses in the community have already donated more than $3 million to more than 100 local nonprofits throughout Central Oregon. I know that figure is on the low side so I’m confident it’s way more than that. Whether it was veterans, children’s charities, the homeless, affordable housing, the environment, schools, parks, churches or many other causes, local businesses and their employees have never stopped giving. Some even gave when it seemed like there was nothing left to give.

At COBA, our members believe in building our future in Central Oregon by serving and supporting local nonprofits. Our members would like to thank the volunteers and staff of all our nonprofits for all the work they accomplish making our community a better place to live every day.

Thanks again to those involved for helping to change so many lives this year.

If you want to be involved in any of these nonprofits and need help connecting, please feel free to give me a call or send an email, and I’d be happy to introduce you to the difference makers. My email is timk@coba.org, and my phone is 541-389-1058.

For last minute ticket availability for the Holiday Chefs on Tour, please email info@coba.org or sherit@coba.org or call 541-389-1058. To donate directly to Toys for Tots, please go to www.bend-or.toysfortots.org.