Volunteer Spotlight: Brittney Knutson, Chehalem Senior Center
BY ISAAC ARTHUR
“I feel like we all get along and they appreciate [me] even though I’m young. We just have a good time. I love it.”
Brittney Knutson has been a bright light down at Chehalem Senior Center five days a week for over two years. She’s diligently and even eagerly given her time to serve on the food prep team for the Meals-On-Wheels program ever since her friend invited her to see what it was all about.
“I thought, huh, sounds like fun. But it’s kinda out of my comfort zone,” she recalls of that early period.
But soon Brittney was chatting and making connections that grew into meaningful friendships, and what started as a single Friday morning became her Monday through Friday routine and a significant part of her life. While working on “frozens” (the frozen meals that ensure people have something to eat on weekends when deliveries aren’t going out), Brittney was partnered with an older man named Skip. The two quickly hit it off, talking about country life and gardening. It turned out they were neighbors and had lived down the road from each other.
“Every time I look at a bag or a frozen meal, I think of him,” she says. “[I remember] the good conversations we always had, the laughs, you know, the cries, just the support and the making sure that he knows he’s loved.” Skip sadly passed away in late 2021, but he remains a cherished part of Brittney’s time at the center.
“[It’s] just [about] giving back, and making sure that our elders are getting fed, and they’re getting support,” she says. “I’m very honored to be able to have the chance to do this, to give back to our community, and like I said, help. … My kids are really on board with it right now too, and that just makes me so happy. Wanting to give back, wanting to volunteer, wanting to do anything just to help somebody.” As the mother of two boys, one a young teen and the other a pre-teen, Brittney’s been delighted to share this experience with them and give them an example to follow. Her oldest often joins her on “frozens,” and would likely accompany her more if he didn’t have school. She chuckles, remembering back to the beginning and how she had to explain to them the difference between a job and volunteer work. Now, it’s a normal part of family life: “They’re like, ‘Oh Mom has Meals again this morning.’ And I’m like ‘Yep. I’m leaving. See you later!’”
Before moving to Newberg, Brittney grew up in Eugene (“Go Ducks!”) and in school was an avid sports player - softball, basketball, volleyball, and even bowling (for which she won multiple championships). She’s channeled that same athletic spirit and energy into life as a mom, helping with the boys’ teams alongside her husband, and staying engaged in community activity. While she’s been all-in at the senior center during this season of life, she foresees a time when she won’t be able to be down there as regularly.
“That’s gonna be hard. ‘Cause this is my home. … It’s a second family.” Brittney hopes that more people will volunteer “even if you can only do it one day a week. The more the better, and you’re working with amazing people here. It’s fun. If you’re lonely or retired or you’re out of work right now, just volunteer for an hour or two, and it’ll change your life.”
If you are interested in joining any of these activities, finding out more about what the senior center has to offer, or would like to volunteer, please stop by call: (503) 538-1409.
