Friends of the Children Celebration Raises Over $1.42 million

Portland, May 10th. More than 730 Portland business and community leaders gathered for the 2012 Friends of the Children Friend Raiser presented by KeyBank. Supporters raised over $1.42 million for the mentoring program transforming the lives of Portland’s vulnerable children. Melvin ‘Pete’ Mark Jr., Melvin Mark Brokerage, and Bobbi O’Neill, Friend Raiser Steering Committee member, walk through the ‘high-five tunnel’ to enter the live auction tent. 

Friends of Children exceeded its goal for the Quest Foundation Match of $132,000. The funds will support four Friends and 32 youth in the program. The Friend Raiser benefit was held at the Friends of the Children offices. The steering committee was led by Cindy Campbell and Geri Miner.

Thanks to the continued success of this event, Friends of Children has been able to provide professional mentors to more vulnerable children than in the past; currently the nonprofit serves over 400 children in over 100 schools in the Portland metropolitan area.

From Friends of the Children:

We provides our most vulnerable children a stable relationship with a professional mentor for 12 ½ years – from kindergarten to high school graduation. 12 ½ years. No matter what.

Mission
To provide our most vulnerable children a nurturing and sustained relationship with a professional mentor who teaches positive values and has attainable expectations for each child to become healthy, productive members of the community.

Vision
To provide a Friend to all vulnerable children who need one and to change the way the world views and treats our most vulnerable children.