Providence Heart of Gold Event raises $300,000 to Help Needy Children

William Swindells, Jr. (left), Dick Clark, ED at SPV Foundation (right)

Portland, February 21st, 2013. Supporters marked the 20th anniversary of the Providence Child Center Swindells Resource Center by donating more than $300,000. William Swindells, Jr. and Dick Clark, ED at SPV Foundation had a chance to catch up at the Pure Space event in Northwest, Portland.

Charlie Swindells at the Podium, Bill R. Swindells on right of image.

Children and their families who have used the Swindells Resource Center shared their touching stories during the event, and the Heart of Gold Award was presented to the Swindells family in loving memory of Jean Baton Swindells. The event also included a ceremony and dinner.

Amy Roloff, left, star of TLC’s reality show “Little People, Big World,” poses with Michelle Kennedy and her son, Evan Kennedy at the 2013 Heart of Gold event on Feb. 21. Michelle and Evan use the resources at the Swindells Center and visit Providence Neurodevelopmental Center for Children for speech and other therapies.

Past Heart of Gold award recipients are honored. Eloise Savage represents Providence Child Center Guild, Nancy Lematta, Ann Humberston, Karen Gaffney, Pat Becker, Pat Moss, Bill Schonely and Jim Moss.

Heart of Gold attendees place bids to raise money for the Swindells Resouce Center at Providence Child Center.

William Swindells, Jr.

The Swindells Center at Providence Child Center provides direct support and links to resources for families of children with disabilities in Oregon, including books, parenting groups and classes, speaker events and other materials. Services are offered at the main Portland location of the Swindells Center, as well as satellite sites in Hood River and Medford. All locations will benefit from donations given at Heart of Gold. When Jean Baton Swindells was born with Down syndrome in 1957, her parents, Ann and Bill Swindells Jr., had few places to turn for information, resources or support. After Jean died at the age of 33, the Swindells family provided the financial support to build the Jean Baton Swindells Resource Center. Established at Providence Child Center in 1994, it gives families the information the Swindells did not have when Jean was growing up.

“Jean inspired her parents, Ann and Bill, to provide the resources necessary for families all across Oregon to help their special needs children reach their fullest potential,” says Karen Santangelo, Providence Child Center Foundation president. “It’s only through community support that this important program is able to touch 12,000 families annually.”

Contributions from the Swindells family to Providence Child Center over the years have connected thousands of families, educators, providers and caregivers throughout Oregon with resources at little or no cost. The center has helped children regardless of age, language or diagnosis. Proceeds from the 2013 Heart of Gold event will support the ongoing work of Swindells Resource Center and provide support and resources for future generations of children and their families.

For more information about the Providence Child Center Foundation, call 503-215-2406.

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.