Living a life of giving back

(MOLALLA) — Giving back isn’t just a catchy phrase. It has been a centerpiece in the life of a Colton woman — a philosophy she’s lived by.

It’s the philosophy behind Rebecca Kollias’ lifelong desire to help others, even when life had sometimes dealt her a bad hand.

Kollias, the director of Colton Helping Hands, knows something about giving back. Because of that passionate philosophy, she’s been named the area’s 2024 Amazing Neighbor.

Her passion for helping friends, neighbors and those in need has deep roots in Colton – she was born and raised there.

“It’s in my heart,” she said. “My family is Swedish, and the Swedes founded Colton, so my love of this community is deep-rooted. Biblically speaking, this is my Jerusalem, and I’ll work hard for her.”

And a large part of that work has been helping and being prepared to help those in need, particularly those with empty bellies. You see, she was one of them at one point.

When she was 29 years old, her husband left her with no money, no prospects and a young child to raise. It was at that point that she reset by coming home to Colton. Once home, she discovered that her instincts for helping were about to blossom into a full-scale passion.

“It pulled me back to my roots,” she explained of the homecoming. “That being said, I couldn’t even feed my family, so I went down to the food bank — they had just founded Colton Helping Hands. It was one little room, a refrigerator, and I thought it was just incredible.

“I’m not someone who can just take, though. I have to be someone that’s involved,” she added.

Donna Fix, who oversaw Colton Helping Hands at that point, took Kollias under her wing. Together, they continued to give, build and watch the little one-room pantry grow into something more. With that growth came the ability to help those in need on a larger scale.

The pair were a good match, each with a drive to serve the community and those in need. Sadly, Fix passed away last year, and in September 2023, Kollias came full circle by being tabbed the facility’s new director.

“We both had the drive to make sure people’s bellies are full,” Kollias said. “It’s hard to focus on anything else when you can’t eat or feed your family. We want to help families from their core, which we believe starts at the table.”

Being part of something that makes that kind of difference has been a blessing, Kollias said, noting that her faith is a big part of who she is and what she does. And people have noticed.

“Rebecca is the driving force behind our local food pantry, Colton Helping Hands. She has recruited energetic, committed volunteers to staff our pantry and is able to locate and access resources that enable us to provide groceries to an average of 150 families per week,” read the Amazing Neighbor nomination. “She is a kind, gentle, honest soul with great ‘people skills’ who works well with everyone. She is a genuine joy to volunteer with.”

“I was raised with the value that you give back,” Kollias said. “Always lift others higher than yourself. If you do that, things tend to fall in line. Working on a goal that is for good is good for you. When you serve others, you find a place of healing — that brings us great joy.”

Having lived a time in her life when hunger was a part of it, Kollias recognizes the place that Colton Helping Hands, and by extension herself, play in people’s lives.

“When he (her husband) left, I had nothing,” she explained. “I’d have had nothing if not for Colton Helping Hands. This community has so many loving people in it. I’m so blessed to be part of it. I’m a little in awe that I’d be picked (as an Amazing Neighbor) with all the people who care about Colton and Molalla.”

Kollias’ endeavors for others don’t stop at Colton Helping Hands. She has a Gleaners team of about 20 families she’s worked with since about 2014, serves as the ministry coordinator within her church, and said she tries to make herself available when things happen in the community.

“Whether it’s an accident, death, or anything, I want to hold people above the water until they can stand on their own again. That’s the goal,” she said.

During the pandemic, donations were still coming in, so Kollias organized gatherings at the high school parking lot for folks to continue to collect food more safely. She tossed it out into the world on Facebook, and people responded.

“People still had needs, and we had so many local companies step up and help with donations,” she said.

With plans to expand capabilities at Colton Helping Hands, Kollias promises to stay involved and actively try to help those who need it.

“When people see someone having a drive and focus to do things for the community, it’s easier to get people excited and want to do more,” she said. “I want to be encouraging and set a good example in all I do, and be honoring to God when I do it.”