11th Annual Iron Chef Contest helps Children’s Relief Nursery

Schnitzer Steel was represented by: Jamie Wilson, Andy Rohling, Brenda Hein, Isla Wilson, Hasina Squires, Jennifer Hudson, and Pat Christopher

Portland, April 20th. Supporters of the Children’s Relief Nursery raised over $216,500 at their annual gala. The event featured an Iron Chef competition. Adam Sappington won the top honor for the fourth time by besting Adam Higgs. Higgs was the 2011 Peoples Choice Winner and is the Owner of Acadia Bistro. Schnitzer Steel was represented by: Jamie Wilson, Andy Rohling, Brenda Hein, Isla Wilson, Hasina Squires, Jennifer Hudson, and Pat Christopher

Guests has the chance to sample the offerings of some of the area's best chefs

Winner of the 2012 People’s Choice Award was Rick Widmayer from the restaurant, The Screen Door.

Junior League members volunteered, including: Fran Andrews, Elizabeth Mela, Jennifer Rogers, Meaghan Burns and Lisa Bohman

The event was at the Portland Art Museum

Jerry Erstgaard, Pat Erstgaard, Tracy Schweitzer and Dave Schweitzer

Brian and Alexandra Thomas

Stefani Bloch, Carrie Minns and Julie Laverde

Guests enjoyed the entertainment

Gracielle Kroenke, Dana Gantz and Kate Rohn

Children's Relief Nursery Board Members included: Wayne Pipes from Knowledge Universe, Kelly Schweiger from KGW, Jeff Matthews, The Executive Director, Karen Ward and Board Member, Seth Walker

From Children’s Relief Nursery:

We provide a range of services that “wrap-around” the family to reduce parental stress and social isolation. We’re teaching parenting skills, strengthening bonds between parents and their babies, providing targeted services, reducing child behavioral problems and improving social-emotional development in very young children.

We believe that by focusing on the social and emotional well-being of the youngest, most vulnerable children, we can strengthen families. We do this at a time when we can have the greatest impact on their lives, when their children are infants through age 4. Our families get the help they need, when they need it, to overcome their difficulties and emerge stronger — as a family. A failed family becomes a burden on the community. A successful one contributes to it. Together, we are making families stronger.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.