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At Threemile, our passion for agriculture is matched by our passion for doing what we can to enrich the communities our team members call home. Throughout any given year, you can find us volunteering to coach sports teams, making donations to local charities, running our Dairy Heifer Program with the Morrow County 4-H, feeding hungry Oregonians through our beef and potato donations in partnership with Farmers Ending Hunger, and more.

As part of our work to better our communities, we also seek opportunities to secure funding for projects we believe in. This is why we’re pleased to share that the Offutt Family Foundation, in partnership with R.D. Offutt Company, has awarded Made to Thrive a grant of $8,125 to fund the ongoing development of new fields to be used for soccer and lacrosse in Hermiston.

Made to Thrive is a proactive organization based out of Hermiston, Oregon, comprised of ambitious advocates who are dedicated to reshaping the lives of at-risk and foster youth. Made to Thrive’s mission is to stop the cycle of child abuse, neglect and poverty by bringing the physical and emotional benefits of sports, adventure activities, music and art to vulnerable youth.

Throughout our region, soccer players often complain about a lack of green space. This grant provides the opportunity to welcome new playing fields that will serve the community for years to come.

This grant funding will benefit the HEROS Sports Complex in Hermiston, Oregon, which is used by youth in the region for soccer, lacrosse, flag football, and other sporting events. While the grass is planted and the fields are available for use at the complex, the community wanted to finish the lighting so all fields can be used to their full advantage even after the sun goes down. Soccer and lacrosse are in full swing in the fall and spring when the days are shorter and use of all the fields is limited to daytime only. Having these fields available in the evening is particularly important for youth traveling from surrounding towns like Boardman where it takes 25 minutes or more to get to the facility. The grant will be used to help complete the lighting project.

“Made to Thrive fills an important role for youth in our local communities. I have personally donated to them and their projects, and will continue to do so in the future,” said Threemile’s General Manager of Farm Operations Greg Harris. “Many of our employees’ children will benefit specifically from HEROS by enabling participation in sports.”

The Community Builder program is an initiative of the Offutt Family Foundation that invites R.D. Offutt Company team members to nominate nonprofits they are passionate about for grant consideration. Grants are awarded to organizations whose missions align with the foundation’s focus areas: healthcare, education, and community development. 

This year, after a record-breaking number of nominations, the foundation awarded $409,400 to 59 organizations.