Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeany Birdeno.
Hi Jeany, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am born and raised here in Astoria. I am the youngest of 3 girls. My Mother’s family has been here since turn of the century and Father moved here in the 60’s. Having my Mom’s roots here has always been very special to me. My Grandmother was the 3rd oldest of 13. There truly is a certain pride you feel being from here. Maybe it’s our fighting spirit, being a fishing/logging area, or knowing how beautiful our area is living right on the Columbia River.
Growing up, I was your typical teenager, having friends, going to games, and having fun. I worked at the local Dairy Queen when I turned 16. I always had a independent streak. I knew if I wanted to do things, I would have to work for them, and I did. My main job that gave me a name here, instead of my parents, was when I began bartending at age 21.
I really was able to grow my skills in customer service, yet have fun too. I ended up bartending until 2020, over 20 years, when covid happened. In May of 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. This entire community came together to help me. Whether it was well wishes, food or money, they all took care of me. That was my biggest eye opening moment of what I meant to others. It was a very humbling and blessing feeling.
I never was able to attend or volunteer at many events because of my bartending schedule. After my cancer journey and being in remission, I was unable to bartend again because of the toll the treatment did to my body, so I left the bartending world and began learning the home mortgage business. My boss encouraged me to become active in the community with different organizations as a way to introduce myself as a loan officer instead of bartender. I was able to begin giving back to the community I loved. I started by being asked to join the board of the Astoria Downtown Historic District Association, ADHDA. I had never been a board member, but it was cool to look at things as a community and not just me. From there, I was involved with volunteering at different functions using my biggest skill, bartending, what else
It became such a wonderful feeling, just helping make things happen.
then about 3 years ago, my husband, Pete, his uncle was part of a group known affectionally as the “Christmas Club”
All I knew about them is that they hung up the holiday decorations downtown and my husband and helped a few years. One year he talked me into getting up early to help.
It was a good time, and I knew most of the helpers, so it made it easy to join in.
The group had been started about 30 years ago as a way to bring the holiday spirit back to our town. Well, the group was starting to “age out” and they were looking for replacements. Tim and Melba O’Bryant, Mr. and Mrs. Christmas, were looking for a couple they felt would carry on the group. Enter my husband and I.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When we were approached, we were told is was turn-key, just needed the supervision mainly. Famous last words, lol
1st, the storage location they had for close to 20 years, rent free, we were told we needed to leave. I was informed by the landlords of the building end of September that they wanted us out. We are a non-profit group that depends on personal donations each year. So, trying to find a new location with about 1000 sq feet, for near free, not easy. i spent weeks making phone calls and emails asking everyone I knew for space. Unfortunately, at the same time, many of the spaces that I was trying to use, were already being used by different community places because they were all remodeling at the same time.
2nd. most of the “head” volunteers who were in charge of different tasks retired on us too. So we were having to reach out and recruit new people to help, and the hardest part was we really had no idea what we were doing either!
We learned the hard way all the “extra steps” that were involved. We are still learning, this will be our 3rd Christmas in charge
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a mortgage loan advisor and assistant. I work at NW Lending Group in downtown Astoria. My boss is a wonderful man with 30 years of knowledge, so he is great to learn from. He is also fun and caring.
I love how we are the ones the clients talk to and not a bunch of people spread throughout.
We care about out area, we sponsor different athletic programs for the schools, or fund raising events in the area.
My favorite part of the job is helping someone start a new chapter in their life. Whether it’s their first home purchase, or moving to be closer to family, everyone has a story and I get to be a part of that. I get to help people achieve their dreams. It is such a wonderful feeling!!
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Volunteers and fundraising.
I have a hard time asking people for money, so fundraising is very difficult for me. I have no issue helping raise money or donating to causes, but asking is difficult for me.
And we need volunteers with some special talents or skills. We have wooden figures that need to be sanded and repainted. we need an electrician to help with repairing some of the burnt out sockets.
Financial help is always a must now. We might have a donation check sent to us here and there through out the year, but otherwise we have to stretch out the donations we get around Nov and Dec. our yearly expenses consist of the monthly lease, electric power bill for the lights end of Nov, Dec and beginning of Jan.
We also have to purchase new bulbs, tie downs, paint, ribbon, etc….
Pricing:
- C-9 LED lights are $1.40 each
- LED color changing E-17 are $2.00 each
- Post office box rental $210
- Fix electrical box $950
Contact Info:
