ONDA’s Wild Desert Calendar Goes Abroad
Giving a Wild Desert Calendar as a gift has become something of a tradition among a number of ONDA members. So, where do all these calendars go? We asked a few of our longtime calendar givers — members Susie Neubauer, Patty Giffin, Terry Butler, Sidney Henderson and Mark Montgomery — to give us the scoop.
As it turns out, from their gift-giving alone, scenes from Oregon’s high desert have enchanted people across the United States and in France, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Canada and Australia.
Across the board, these members appreciated the opportunity to give a gift that doubled as a way to support one of their favorite organizations.
“I love that it is two-fold: ONDA gets the donation and I give a gift,” said Susie Neubauer.
Patty Giffin said she gives the calendars “so people know why I volunteer my time to help conserve these places.”
These gift-givers also appreciate the way that the calendar introduces people to a corner of the world that’s not so well-known.
“I have been sending calendars to my friends and family on the east coast for over 10 years as they have little idea of what eastern Oregon is like,” said Sid Henderson.
“People are very impressed,” noted Neubauer.
And, what happens when all these folks see the stunning beauty that Oregon’s high desert has to offer?
“They’ve been a very effective tool in getting family and friends from around the world to come visit me in Bend,” said Mark Montgomery.
It’s was the same story from Sid Henderson, who told us, “My friends in Adelaide, Australia, are coming next May … to the U.S. for the first time and to see Central Oregon and the rest of the northwest.”
And again for Terry Butler, who said, “Everybody loves the calendar. They’ll often ask about places shown in the calendar and want to go there.”
It’s an aspiration the gift-givers have too.
As Giffin exclaimed, “I wish I had time to get to all the beautiful places in those pictures!”
