Portland, OR. A special celebration dinner and auction held at the Portland Hilton raised over $757,000 for the Maurice Lucas Foundation. The funds will support the foundation’s after-school programs for under-served students at Harriet Tubman Middle School and six high schools throughout the Portland area. A tradition at the gala is presenting the Maurice Lucas Enforcer Award. The recipient this year was the late Howard Hedinger, a philanthropist and friend of Maurice Lucas. His family members were on hand to accept the award. The award presentation photo included Bobby Gross, Bill Walton, Lionel Hollins, Zach Collins, Huston Hedinger, David Lucas, Barkley Hedinger and Hillary Hedinger. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)
Foundation Academy students ranging from Sixth Grade through college had a chance to have their photo taken with Executive Director David Lucas and High School Program Manager Karen Barker. (Photo by Naim Hasan)
David Lucas with his daughter, Nahla Lucas; mother Pam Lucas; his nephew, Lucas Tiefenthaler; and his brother, Maurice Lucas II. Photo by Andie Petkus.
The gala included over 600 attendees who participated in activities like a paddle raise, silent auction and live auction to raise record-breaking numbers for the Maurice Lucas Foundation. Maurice Lucas was the leading scorer on the 1977 NBA champion Portland Trail Blazers, and an advocate for young people. Following in his father’s footsteps, David Lucas continues to to be involved with the organization in his father’s memory.
The dinner also included students who have benefited from the foundation’s programs. “Our students are hungry for the future, and they stand on the shoulders of so many of you in the room tonight to be able to pursue their dreams,” said David.
Terry Stotts helps auctioneer Brett Richards raise funds at the Maurice Lucas Foundation gala. Photo by Andie Petkus.
Joe Wiser from title sponsor Whittier Trust tells the gala attendees about his long relationship with the Lucas family. Photo by Andie Petkus.
Following in his father’s footsteps, David Lucas served as the gala’s master of ceremonies. Photo by Andie Petkus.
Whittier Trust served as the gala’s lead sponsor. Other sponsors included the Portland Trail Blazers, Jordan Brand, Fred Meyer Jewelers, Mercedes Benz of Portland, Mercedes Benz of Beaverton, the Hedinger Family Foundation, Columbia Distributing, B&V Philanthropy, Darkhorse Entertainment, Loosen Bros.USA, Moda Health, North American Spirits and Wine Brokerage, Pivot and Marios.
From the Maurice Lucas Foundation:
Our mission: Teaching life lessons through education and sport.
Maurice cared immensely for the Portland community. He sought to empower youth by creating opportunity, especially where little existed. He was devoted to helping kids learn, achieve, and grow through sport, helping them build positive values. The Maurice Lucas Foundation is carrying on Maurice’s work by creating these opportunities for inner-city middle school students by providing a combination of education and activity-based after-school programs. Through positive interactions with program coaches, team members, and community role models, we help youth develop their cognitive, emotional, intellectual and social skills in a fun environment. Our youth programs develop personal and life skills, positive adult and peer relationships, and create a supportive environment of learning, mastery, teamwork, and autonomy.
