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We Are UCC Strong
The following is a collage of voices from various members of the local community who responded to the October 1, 2015 tragedy with kindness, compassion, and generosity.
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First Fifty Signs Were Gone Within an Hour
The day after the shooting, I thought what can I do to help? I was making the little Oregon shape with the heart cut out….I decided I’d go home and whip out some yard signs, see if I can’t turn $50 worth of material into $500. I posted on Facebook, asked people to share it, thinking 50 signs would be enough. The first fifty signs were gone within an hour.
Justin Troxel is a welder in Roseburg. He began the Heart of Oregon sign fundraiser that raised over $134,000 for UCC victims, injured, and their families.
The day after the shooting, I thought what can I do to help? I was making the little Oregon shape with the heart cut out….I decided I’d go home and whip out some yard signs, see if I can’t turn $50 worth of material into $500. I posted on Facebook, asked people to share it, thinking 50 signs would be enough. The first fifty signs were gone within an hour.
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I Was Just So Happy to Be Part of the Healing Process
The vibe was love and support all day long. It was the most incredible thing. It’s super heart touching when you see a community pull together like that. For some people, just the act of getting a tattoo started the healing process.
Isidra Castro and Chris Belville are both tattoo artists at Tapestry Tattoo in Roseburg. Isidra and Chris donated their time to provide special UCC tattoos in order to raise money for the victims of the UCC tragedy.
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I Don’t Think If You Lived in Town There Was a Stranger in Town
All of a sudden we’re just doing stuff. Probably the most profound thing is I’m walking downtown, door-to-door with stickers and the little cards on how to donate. Just that connection, that I don’t think that if you lived in town there was a stranger in town, you know? There was an instant recognition.
Larry Safley is an artist in Roseburg. Larry helped design and distribute “I Am UCC” stickers to raise support for victims and their families.
All of a sudden we’re just doing stuff. Probably the most profound thing is I’m walking downtown, door-to-door with stickers and the little cards on how to donate. Just that connection, that I don’t think that if you lived in town there was a stranger in town, you know? There was an instant recognition.
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I Didn’t Think I Could Go Back to School Today, But You Folks Made It Possible
It’s fall. It’s dark at six o’clock in the morning and seeing those trucks roll in and the flags roll out. So many people came. There were headlights everywhere. The community lined themselves all the way to the college on both sides of the street.
Diana Knous is the Regional Business Manager at Pacific Power and Light in Roseburg. Diana helped organize the line of trucks, signs, and people who welcomed UCC students back to school in the days after the shooting.
It’s fall. It’s dark at six o’clock in the morning and seeing those trucks roll in and the flags roll out. So many people came. There were headlights everywhere. The community lined themselves all the way to the college on both sides of the street.
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It Was Like a Great Big Community Hug
People wanted to share and just give each other a hug. That’s what we were able to do at our place. It’s a tiny little building and we packed a whole bunch of people in there and it was like a great big community hug.
Jennifer and Casey O’Toole own O’Toole’s Pub in Roseburg. Long term residents of Douglas County their sons are ninth generation Roseburg. The O’Tooles organized a multi-day fundraiser at their pub donating over $10,000 to Greater Douglas United Way.
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We Were Painting and Handing, Painting and Handing
Some people didn’t wait for them to be painted, they just wanted to make sure they got one. I knew there was going to be greater demand. So I went out and asked for donations.
Hundreds of people showed up at Justin Troxel’s house in Roseburg to buy Oregon Heart signs to raise money for families affected by the UCC tragedy. Neighbors Crystal Lecroy and Jennifer Norman helped manage volunteers, procure supplies, and assist in making signs.
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This Has Always Been a Giving Community
Everyone was truly affected. It has brought out so many good things. People are friendlier, they are reaching out, engaging in random acts of kindness.
Hilda and Earl Jones are the owners of Abacela Winery. The winery brought together a number of organizations and individuals who donated time, materials, and effort to release UmpquaStrong, a commemorative red table wine that raised over $18,000 for the UCC Relief Fund.
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When I Saw People Hugging Each Other There Was Joy
The people who I’ve talked to and the pride that they take in the UCC, I would be more than happy to see my daughter attend there.
Louis Darling is a Behavioral Health Care Specialist at South River Community Health Center who donated his time to make hundreds of counseling calls to members of the UCC community.
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We Were All on Board to Help
I definitely think this has changed our community, but overall people are coming through this with a greater sense of support for one another.
