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American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter Honors Philanthropists of the Year

Portland, June 19th. Supporters raised their glasses to salute the American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter at its annual membership meeting. The event included a celebration of key Red Cross partners and volunteers. Cassy Martin from Fred Meyer, John Prescott, incoming chair of American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter, and Judy Robinson from Fred Meyer joined in the festivities. (Photo Credit, Andie Petkus)

The celebration was held at American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter headquarters on North Vancouver Avenue.

Leading up to the event, which recapped the year’s accomplishments, Oregon Trail Chapter leadership sought to recognize local businesses that support the mission of Red Cross through direct philanthropy, training employees how to save a life, allowing employees to volunteer and encouraging individual preparedness by sponsoring blood drives.

John Prescott, incoming chair of American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter, with Jason Redding, owner of Horizon Restoration. Redding, a member of Red Cross board of directors, was awarded a board leadership award and the organization’s Philanthropist of the Year Award for his personal and professional dedication to Red Cross services.

“This full-circle support – training, volunteerism, philanthropy and blood donations – is a 360 degree partnership and one to which only a handful of companies in metropolitan Portland have committed. We are very grateful.” said Maree Wacker, chapter CEO.

John Prescott, incoming chair of American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter, with Don Pearson, regional President of Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo is one of 16 companies to receive the full-circle award.

John Prescott, with Intel executives Elisabeth Zeller and Tripp Robinson. Elisabeth Zeller is senior finance and operations manager, Intel Foundation; Tripp Robinson is emergency manager at Intel and is a board member for American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter.

Lauren Woodward, volunteer services, and Laura Reese, donor relations coordinator, welcomed guests to the event.

Anne Kinnaman and Lindsay Pour support American Red Cross health & safety services.

In 1917, concerned community members joined together and opened the Portland Red Cross. Their mission was to assist their neighbors during one of the world’s greatest disasters: World War I. For almost a century, the community has relied on the Red Cross during times of both conflict and peace.

From The American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter:

For more than 90 years, thousands of Oregon Trail Chapter volunteers have provided disaster relief, blood and blood products, health education and services to military families in Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington, and Yamhill counties. Our chapter responsibilities now include Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa and Baker Counties.

We count on the generosity of our donors and the commitment of our volunteers to ensure our history continues well into the future. Clara Barton once said, “It is not in its past that the glories of the Red Cross lie, but in the possibilities it has created for the future.”

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.