Advisory Council Representative
Esther Reed was born and raised in Eugene. She spent the early part of her career as a family restaurant owner before moving into senior services as a care provider. Her work with the Council on Aging of Central Oregon began when she moved to La Pine in the early 1990s. She started as a nutrition aide at CoA, and then in partnership with the Executive Director at the time, acquired grants and land to bring a new senior center to the La Pine community.
Her work with seniors and the La Pine community didn’t stop there. She went on to oversee the La Pine Senior Center, helping to implement OPI, Dial-A-Ride, Meals on Wheels, family caregiver support programs, congregate dining, and more. She has also served on the La Pine Community Action Team, which was instrumental in the creation of the city of La Pine, and the board of the Boys and Girls Club of La Pine. Her career continued at the state’s Aging and People with Disabilities office in Deschutes County and at the Lane County Council of Governments.
After her husband’s passing and her retirement, she started volunteering as a nutrition aide for the Meals on Wheels program in La Pine. She continues to volunteer in the kitchen at La Pine Activity Center and is the Treasurer for the American Legion Auxiliary board in La Pine.
As a member of the CoA Advisory Council, she represents the areas of Sunriver, La Pine, Gilchrist and Crescent. She served on the Advisory Council for a year before moving into the position of Chairwoman.
Why I Serve…
“La Pine is the second fastest growing city in Oregon, an estimated 15,000 full time residents live in the surrounding area. I want to be a strong advocate for veterans, and for seniors and disability communities. I have a wealth of knowledge regarding senior and disabled services, programs, and benefits. I love creating programs and providing support enhance their lives while keeping them independent and in their own homes for as long as possible.”
