MountainStar Family Relief Nursery (MountainStar) kicked off its 25th Anniversary Year by honoring a legacy of prevention, partnership,band community action supporting Central Oregon children and families since 2001. To begin this milestone year, MountainStar held its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Volunteer Day at its Bend site. This marks a moment of service, reflection, and shared commitment to the children and families MountainStar serves.
As part of MountainStar’s Community Care Projects, January also includes a hygiene kit collection, supporting families with donation of essential items. These kits provide practical support that helps reduce stress, promote health, and create stability for children and families.
Requested hygiene items include:
●Toothbrushes
●Toothpaste
●Soap
●Shampoo and conditioner
●Feminine hygiene products
“As we celebrate 25 years, we’re reflecting not just on how far we’ve come, but on how this community continues to prioritize the safety of its children and families,” says Kara Tachikawa, Executive Director of MountainStar.
“This anniversary year celebrates each donor, volunteer, and community advocate that stands with the power of prevention. As the only Central Oregon nonprofit providing child abuse prevention through therapeutic classrooms and wrap-around family support – we are proud to be a leader in trauma-informed care and breaking multi-generational cycles of trauma. We invite you to celebrate Mountaintar’s 25th Birthday by joining our Monthly Community Care Projects to celebrate the impact we can have when we all work together. Thank you for joining us.”
Hygiene donations may be dropped off throughout January at MountainStar locations in LaPine, Bend, Redmond, Madras, and Prineville. Items collected will be assembled into hygienekits in early February with the help of Cascade Academy student volunteers and distributed directly to families receiving services.
Following a strong 2025 year-end campaign that raised more than $265,000, MountainStar’s will continue to spotlight the organization’s commitment to child abuse prevention, early intervention, and walking alongside families as they build resilience and hope.
Additional Community Care Projects will be announced each month throughout 2026. For more information about MountainStar’s 25th Anniversary, MLK Day activities, or ways to support children and families, visit www.mtstar.org
About MountainStar Family Relief Nursery
MountainStar prevents child abuse and neglect through therapeutic early childhood programs, home visiting, and wraparound family services. With five sites in La Pine, Bend, Redmond, Madras, and Prineville, MountainStar strengthens vulnerable families and helps children build safe, stable futures. Learn more at www.mtstar.org.
Community Care Projects
Each project or action is an approachable way to show support and care for individuals and groups in our local communities. Community care can be shown through low cost basic supplies for children and families, tangible actions within your neighborhood or city, or engaging in volunteering or learning opportunities. In 2026, MountainStar will provide monthly opportunities to show community care.
Partners for Kids
MountainStar is deeply grateful to our community for stepping up to support vulnerable children and families. We are proud to highlight the businesses that have joined Partners for Kids – their generosity and advocacy for child abuse prevention help build a stronger, more stable future for our community.
This story is based on submitted information and has not been verified by our news team.
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
