Portland, March 23rd, 2013,. U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer inspired more than 100 volunteers set to plant 200 trees in Portland’s Vernon and Concordia neighborhoods, sending them off with praise for Portland, its green innovations, and the legacy the planters would leave for future generations.
In reflecting about what makes Portland special, Rep. Blumenauer praised NW Natural, which generously sponsored Saturday’s planting, and Portland General Electric, which has supported Friends of Trees for decades and whose Renewable Power Program Manager Thor Hinckley is a Friends of Trees board member.
“Our local utilities are among the national leaders in trying to do things differently,” said Rep. Blumenauer. NW Natural “took the lead in a program to change the way we pay our gas bills … so there was actually an incentive to save. Before that, they were penalized if there was conservation.” About PGE he said, “We probably have more per capita green energy voluntary bill payers in Portland, who pay a little bit more to support energy sources that are easier on the planet” than anywhere else. And now, if you sign up for Paperless Billing, “they’ll kick in a buck so we’re saving a tree and we’re planting a tree.”
FOT Board Member Nancy Buley presents a Friends of Trees “Tree Team” T-shirt to Rep. Earl Blumenauer at FOT’s March 23 planting in Portland. (Photo by Mark Ferris)
About trees and their impact on our stormwater management system, Rep. Blumenauer said, “There’s a reason why the Bureau of Environmental Services is involved with supporting this [tree planting]. Because the more that we are able to build the green infrastructure, it’s not just that we’re getting help with climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, but trees act as sponges—the root system, the leaves— … and the city has made the rational decision that the more they can help this effort in greening the city, the less we have to worry about stormwater getting into the sewer system. … It’s part of the Portland approach.”
While jogging to the planting that morning, Rep. Blumenauer said he saw “the legacy that the people 20, 40, 60, 100, 120 years ago planted that we’re enjoying today,” and he recalled the “poetry” of the presentations that Heritage Trees Program founder Jane Glazer gave to Portland City Council when he was a city commissioner, which highlighted the history of many Portland trees.
“Today you’re making history,” he said. “You’re out in our neighborhoods planting a legacy that’s going to make a difference for generations to come. You’re not only enriching Portland today, but you’re enriching Portland for our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, allowing us to live a little more lightly on the planet.”
After being presented with an honorary Friends of Trees “Tree Team” T-shirt, Rep. Blumenauer lifted the shirt up and said, “I’m going to wear it when I run on the mall next month.”
Friends of Trees is honored that Rep. Blumenauer, a longtime advocate for the environment and urban forestry, came to our planting and spoke so eloquently about the importance of planting trees.
The slide show above of Rep. Blumenauer and Saturday’s planters was provided by Friends of Trees Board Member Nancy Buley, Communications Director for J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co., and FOT volunteer Mark Ferris.
Portland, March 15th, 2013. A “dinner + play” fundraiser was the 3rd in Self Enhancement Inc.’s Salon Series. The event featured Chris Coleman, Artistic Director of Portland Center Stage. After dinner, guests like Tony Hopson, Sr. and Russell Hornsby attended the Portland Center Stage production of the post-civil war drama, Whipping Man. Self Enhancement Inc. supporters had an insiders view of the production while supporting one of their favorite causes: supporting at-risk urban youth. (Photo credit, Antonio Harris)
Chris Coleman, Rukaiyah Adams and Rodney Hicks
Dinner Guests
Vanessa Morgan and Bob Quillin
Tony Hopson, Sr. and Chris Coleman
About PCS’s Whipping Man:
In the post-Civil War South, three men are tied to each other by history and faith, but are also bound by secrets. A badly wounded Jewish Confederate soldier returns home at war’s end to find that his family has fled to the countryside. Remaining in the city mansion are two former slaves, also raised by his family as Jews. With Passover upon them, the three men unite to celebrate the holiday, even as they struggle to comprehend their new relationships at a crossroads of personal and national history.
The Whipping Man, which premiered in New York in 2011 to great acclaim, is an extraordinary tale of loyalty, deceit and deliverance.
Portland, March 14, 2013. Night at the Museum was the theme for Lines for Life’s (formerly Oregon Partnership) annual Gala Dinner & Auction. Judy Cushing, CEO Lines for Life; Mayor Charlie Hales, Nancy Hales, Sharon Smith and Senator Gordon Smith attended the 20th Anniversary Gala at the Portland Art Museum. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus) Organizers say the evening was a tremendous success, raising more than $285,000 for lifesaving programs.
Each year Lines for Life (formerly Oregon Partnership) continues to advance its mission of preventing substance and suicide. Through a 24-hour crisis services and prevention education programs it has seen many lives changed for the better. The anonymous Military Helpline is unique in the country and YouthLine offers confidential teen-to-teen counseling on bullying, substance abuse, self harm and suicide.
Event co-chair Anne Naito-Campbell and Nancy Hales
Ballroom at PAM filled with generous Lines for Life supporters.
Gala Emcee Kerry Tymchuk with auctioneer Johnna Wells
(Heroes for Hope Tom Cook of Taco Bell and Mark Ganz of Cambia with (center) Lines for Life Board Chair Dan McMillan of The Standard.
Our youngest supporter Ellen McMillan joins in the fun
Senator Gordon Smith raises his paddle high for Lines for Life
From Lines for Life:
We are dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide because they touch so many families in our society.
Lines for Life (formerly Oregon Partnership) is a non-profit dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide. We have served thousands of people with addiction, mental health and suicide intervention services, treatment referral and drug prevention education.
Lines for Life Crisis Lines receive approximately 35,000 calls per year. We are able to de-escalate 98 percent of the 17,000 suicide calls we receive. The Military Helpline offers free, anonymous assistance 24/7/365 to active duty service members, veterans and their families.
Our YouthLine offers a confidential teen-to-teen phone line and texting to help youth deal with bullying, depression, substance abuse or other issues that can make those years especially painful.
The Lines for Life staff works closely with schools, parents, treatment professionals, law enforcement and the military. We train and support community anti-drug coalitions. We lead public awareness campaigns on underage drinking, youth access to alcohol and reducing illegal drug use.
Portland, March 9th, 2013. Over 300 guests gathered at the Governor Hotel for Thomas Edison High School’s Brilliance Benefit. The gala raised over $220,000 to support financial aid, technology, and professional development at the school. Thomas Edison supporter Scott Gardner, Debbie Maguire, school director Pat Maguire, and MaryLynn Gardner were busy at the silent auction. (Photo Credit, Andie Petkus) All proceeds benefit Thomas A. Edison, the only high school in Oregon and southwest Washington dedicated to students with complex learning differences.
Edison student volunteers gathered onstage to support the Brilliance Benefit student speaker, who shared her story and encouraged guests to donate to financial aid at Thomas Edison High School.
The Brilliance Benefit’s silent auction, featuring over 200 items, kept guests bidding until the last minute.
Edison student volunteers show their school spirit at the silent auction portion of the Brilliance Benefit.
The benefit was chaired by Walt and Kim Weyler.
Located in Portland, Oregon, Thomas A. Edison is a private high school dedicated to meeting the special education needs of Learning Disabled (LD) teens. Our students’ learning differences include Dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, Asperger’s Syndrome, Tourette’s Syndrome, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Visual Perception and Nonverbal Learning Disorders.
Portland, March 9th, 2013. The ALS Dinner & Auction Gala was an upbeat affair. The ALS Association Oregon and SW Washington Chapter benefit raised $300,000 to support local care services for families living with the progressive changes of Lou Gehrig’s Disease and provide funding for ALS specific research and public policy efforts. (Photo credit, Michael Keo Photography)
Lance Christian, Executive Director, received a standing ovation and well deserved recognition from board president, Dr. Lou Libby, in honor of his 10 years of service to The ALS Association.
Bo Stern, a sought-after author and teaching pastor from Bend, Oregon gave an eloquent and heart felt address to the crowd about the realities of living with ALS as she and her family provides care and support to her husband, Steve, who is living with the disease.
Tracy Barry, news anchor with KGW, was the Mistress of Ceremony for the evening.
About Our Chapter
Since its inception in 2002, our local chapter of The ALS Association is the central source for services and education for people with ALS, their families, caregivers, and health care professionals in all of Oregon and the six counties of SW Washington. The progression of ALS varies significantly from one person to another. Responding to each person’s individual needs, our local chapter is available to provide vital services and reliable information.
A sampling of services provided free of charge:
One-on-one consultations to assess the needs of those living with ALS, suggest equipment and help families plan for the future.
A Medical Equipment Loan Program that provides mobility equipment when insurance and other programs cannot fund needed items.
A comprehensive Alternative Communication and Assistive Technology Program.
Caregiver support groups, Share the Care™ guidance, and respite care grants to relieve stress and “caregiver burnout.”
Monthly support groups for people with ALS, family members, caregivers and friends.
Partnerships in ALS multidisciplinary clinics staffed by professionals with ALS expertise.
Outreach to the local medical community with updates on current ALS needs and solutions.
The ALS Association is the only national not-for-profit health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS. The ALS Association covers all the bases — research, patient and community services, public education, and advocacy — in providing help and hope to those facing the disease.
The ALS Association (National Office and The ALS Association Oregon and SW Washington Chapter) operates under a shared mission: to help people living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and to leave no stone unturned in search for the cure.
We work together to accomplish our mission. The ALS Association Oregon and SW Washington Chapter focuses primarily on helping local families living with ALS while the National Office focuses primarily on research and advocacy. The Chapter supports the National Office through revenue sharing and research contributions. The National Office supports the Chapters by providing up-to-date information, materials and hands-on support.
Our chapter receives no government or insurance funding – we rely solely on our events, corporate and personal gifts, and local foundation grants.
NONPROFIT BENEFIT TICKET GIVEAWAYS!
Sign up for our free weekly highlights for the chance to win two tickets terrific nonprofit events! If you "like" us on facebook, or sign up for our weekly news highlights, you'll be entered to win! Sign up today!
Look for another ticket giveaway soon! Are you a nonprofit looking to bolster your publicity with facebook and tweets? Email us and we'll run a contest with tickets to your event! [email protected]
