Since Bev and Dennis Pahlisch broke ground on their first homes in 1983, the Pahlisch family has been committed to investing in the communities they call home. This commitment is exemplified by an incredible 19-year relationship with MountainStar Family Relief Nursery, a nonprofit organization in Central Oregon that provides comprehensive services for distressed families with very young children.

After attending the Children’s Expeditionary Luncheon in 2005, Bev and Dennis stepped forward and were among the first major donors to pledge their support for child abuse prevention. This marked the beginning of a long-standing and deeply impactful partnership. In 2014, Pahlisch Homes became an official sponsor of MountainStar and has remained a steadfast partner for the last 10 years. 

Today, we’re excited to introduce the Pahlisch audience to MountainStar! Below, we’ll share more about their mission and work, what we’ve accomplished together these last ten years, and how you can support MountainStar at their Birdies for Babies Golf & Gala Fundraiser this August.

Get to Know MountainStar

MountainStar Family Relief Nursery’s mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect through community support and therapeutic services that help vulnerable children and families succeed. They understand that even in the best of circumstances, parenting is hard. That’s why they partner with families dealing with overwhelming stress who have young children. 

Two key factors drive the urgency of their work. First, they know that half of child abuse victims in our community are under the age of six and that when parents are stressed, that is when you see the highest risks for abuse and neglect. Second, the first 1,000 days of a child’s life are the most critical periods of development and set the trajectory for their life. Their goal is to give every child the best start possible.

MountainStar’s programs are voluntary and free. Families step forward asking for help because parents want to do better by their children. Many parents in MountainStar’s programs also experienced abuse and neglect as a child, so they do not have good examples of what a healthy relationship looks like or how to create safe and nurturing environments for their families.

This is when MountainStar steps in and partners with families. They provide therapeutic classrooms for children to help them heal from early childhood trauma and get them back on track for healthy development. They work directly with parents, providing home visits to address stressors in the home and increase their access to resources. Parents also attend monthly parent education classes to better understand the needs of their children, healthy development, and a variety of other tools to help them be the best parents they can be.

MountainStar’s programs aim to help children heal and see parents’ best become better — keeping kids safe and families successful.

Highlights From Our Partnership With MountainStar

According to MountainStar, “Over the years, the relationship between MountainStar and Pahlisch has been steadfast. For a nonprofit, that is a huge deal.” Here are some of the highlights from our years working together to make a positive difference in Central Oregon.

Annual Fundraisers

Pahlisch Homes has been a key sponsor for MountainStar’s annual fundraisers, including Birdies for Babies and the Keep Kids Safe Campaign, which is held every April during Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Birdies for Babies (B4B)

Pahlisch Homes has been the lead sponsor of this wonderful event since it was created in 2014. Over the past 10 years, MountainStar has raised over $2 million at this event, providing one-third of its annual private donor revenue. According to MountainStar, it continues to create great opportunities to expand their network.

Diaper Drives & Holiday Support

Pahlisch Homes collects diapers, wipes, and gift cards for the families served by MountainStar. These essential resources are critical to reducing family stress. We also organize holiday gift drives, providing gifts and essentials for families during the holiday season.

The Impact and Future of Our Partnership

We are so proud of the hard work MountainStar’s team puts into serving families in our community every day, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to come alongside them and help them expand on their amazing vision.

This past decade, we’ve seen MountainStar open new locations in Redmond and La Pine, allowing them to serve more families across Central Oregon. Donations from Pahlisch have also helped MountainStar improve their therapeutic classrooms and hire more staff, increasing their capacity to support more children recovering from trauma and educate more parents. It’s also been an honor to help raise awareness about MountainStar and the issue of child abuse and neglect in our community because we believe so deeply in their mission. 

Here’s what Kara Tachikawa, MountainStar’s Executive Director, had to say about the impact of our ongoing partnership:

“We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support and long-term partnership of Bev and Dennis Pahlisch and Pahlisch Homes. Their commitment to our mission and their generous support over the years have been instrumental in advancing our efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect. Having such a dedicated partner allows us to expand our programs, reach more families, and create lasting positive change in our community. The Pahlisch family’s steadfast dedication to the well-being of children and families in Central Oregon is truly inspiring, and we are honored to continue this journey together.”

In the years to come, we look forward to continuing to partner with MountainStar as they seek new, innovative ways to support children and families in Central Oregon. Ultimately, we hope that our ongoing partnership will continue to have a lasting, positive impact in our community.

How You Can Support MountainStar This August

Join us for the 10th Annual Birdies for Babies (B4B) Golf & Gala Fundraiser, a two-day event filled with golf, auctions, dancing, and community spirit, all in support of MountainStar’s mission to prevent child abuse and neglect.

The event includes an afternoon of golf at Broken Top Club on August 16th and an evening gala at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon on August 17th. With silent and live auctions, guests are bound to walk away with some exciting packages while raising critical funds for local babies and toddlers. We’ll conclude the two-day event by dancing the night away with the Summer Groove Party Band. 

B4B is a fantastic event, offering two fun-packed days with friends while making a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children and families in Central Oregon. Don’t miss this chance to make a difference in a child’s life. 

For more information and to register, please visit Birdies for Babies (B4B). 

For questions regarding the event, to register, or to volunteer, contact Samantha Pennington at samanthap@mtstar.org.