Portland, OR. College Possible Oregon held a private event at a unique location called the Kann Winter Village. Guests dined in private yurts and in the process raised $26,000. College Possible Oregon is a nonprofit working to make college admission and success possible for students from low-income backgrounds through coaching and support.
Portland chef and James Beard nominee Gregory Gourdet is the mastermind behind the Kann Winter Village. He presented slow-cooked, family-style staples from his native Haiti. The event celebrated the cuisine of Haiti, the world’s first black-led republic. (Portland Chef Gregory Gourdet is pictured above on the left with College Possible Executive Director Emielle Nischik and Jon Loomis, CFO of Baseballism)
College Possible student alumna Herico speaks at Kann Winter Village event, held on April 18th,
The evening began at 4 p.m. with a brief, socially distanced program about College Possible. Guests were escorted into their private yurts to enjoy the multiple-course dinner and drinks.
On other nights, a Kann Winter Village dinners were offered as a perk of being an American Express cardholder. 13 restaurants nationwide, served patrons in winter pop-ups. The Portland yurts were outside of The Redd which is at 831 SE Salmon Street.
The Kann Winter Village is closing up for the season on April 25th
The name Kann (“cane” in Haitian Creole) pays homage to the memory of merchants parading the streets — barrels overflowing with sugarcane — calling out to the delight of anyone who wanted a taste of the sweet, crunchy, freshly-harvested snack.
Only 28% of Oregon students from low-income backgrounds participate in college. We’re working to increase that number. College Possible Oregon was started in 2012 and began serving students the following year. We have gone from serving 130 students in our first year to over 1,500 currently. Ninety percent of our students are the first in their family to attend college and 69% identity as students of color.
Through the generous support of our volunteers, community partners, individuals, foundations and businesses, College Possible will continue to help more students achieve their dream of college graduation.
Portland, OR. The Children’s Course & First Tee – Greater Portland celebrated its 25th anniversary by holding a virtual Wine & Golf Ball auction. For two years now the annual auction had to be held online. Former KPTV news anchor Amy Troy was the emcee for the live-streaming event on April 14th. It grossed $246,000.
The mission of The Children’s Course/The First Tee – Greater Portland is to provide children–particularly underprivileged, at-risk, low-to-moderate income, and special needs youth–the opportunity to participate in educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.
Executive Director of the Children’s Course, Marti Loeb addressed supporters during the online gala and explained how the nonprofit found a silver lining in 2020. “It allowed for safe social distancing for our young people and getting them out of doors into fresh air during a pandemic.”
Duncan and Cindy Campbell offered a $25,000 matching gift challenge
In 1996 founder, Duncan Campbell and his wife Cindy had the vision to create a golf course that would be dedicated to children. The Children’s Course was born from this vision. Providing a location for children to learn and play the game of golf was just part of Duncan’s plan. He envisioned using golf to provide positive youth development. That’s what the Children’s Course does today.
Volunteer Coach Stephanie Murphy and her student Da’ Vonnie explain the benefits of the nonprofit.
The Children’s Course operates as a non-profit 501 (c) (3), and is funded by private donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals.
From First Tee & First Tee Greater Portland:
The Children’s Course eventually partnered with the national organization, First Tee and has embraced its Core Values. Our mission is to impact the lives of kids ages 4-18 by providing learning facilities and educational programs. The game of golf helps to instill integrity and make people of rich character.
The Children’s Course eventually partnered with the national organization, First Tee and has embraced its Core Values. Our mission is to impact the lives of kids ages 4-18 by providing learning facilities and educational programs. The game of golf helps to instill integrity and make people of rich character.
The golf course is home to the First Tee – Greater Portland, which provides young people with character-building and life skills lessons using golf as the platform.
Portland, OR. April is National Volunteer Month and it’s an ideal time to renew and refresh a commitment to volunteering, especially virtual volunteering. Organizations like Hands-on Greater Portland of the United Way of the Willamette Valley have virtual opportunities. Experts say giving of your time has mental and physical health benefits. Volunteering is found to reduce stress, improve bonding with others, and even extend lifetimes, according to the Longitudinal Study of Aging.
One corporation known for its volunteer program is Umpqua Bank. “Spring is a time of renewal that can spark both self-care and community care,” said Caitlin Back, VP, Corporate Responsibility director. “For us at Umpqua Bank, it’s an important time to come together in support of our communities, continuing to foster a culture of volunteerism.”
Umpqua Bank is in its 18th year of its Connect Volunteer Program through which associates receive 40 hours of paid volunteer time annually. The Bank’s internal Community Action Hub serves as a resource to find virtual volunteer opportunities available across the Bank’s five-state footprint. The Bank gathered up the latest, turn-key virtual volunteering opportunities, available on its blog.
Umpqua Bank volunteers spend time cleaning up Vose Elementary School during the MLK2019 Weekend of Service.
Umpqua Bank employees cleaning books at The Children’s Book Bank.
Any size business can rally employees to contribute to the greater good while attracting and retaining talent. First, gauge employee interest in volunteering, then, structure volunteer opportunities that can be flexible and done remotely and as a team.
While much volunteering is still in-person, virtual volunteering options have expanded significantly. Now, thanks to virtual volunteering, potential volunteers with geographic or time constraints have new opportunities to help make a positive impact in their communities.
The following organizations are just a few of those that provide virtual volunteer opportunities:
FROM ANYWHERE – Catch a Fire, WeHero, Project Helping’s Kynd Kits, Operation Gratitude, MicroMentor by Mercy Corps, VolunteerMatch and others.
WASHINGTON – United Way of King County, Serve Washington’s Get Connected statewide platform connecting volunteers and organizations, and more.
Spring into Action this April during National Volunteer Month and Week (April 18-24, 2021). Connect on social media #VirtualVolunteer #SpringIntoAction to celebrate your efforts!
Portland, OR. This year, National Pet Day is on Sunday, April 11th, 2021. Whether you have a dog, cat, bird, fish, horse, rabbit, chicken, snake, hamster, or any other pet, you can celebrate the special day. National Pet Day was established in 2006 by animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige. Her mission was to put a spotlight on the joy pets bring to their owners’ life, as well as bring attention to the ongoing needs of many pets waiting in shelters to find their forever homes.
According to the CDC, there are plenty of health benefits that come along with owning a pet. Some include decreased blood pressure, decreased cholesterol levels, decreased feelings of loneliness, as well as increased opportunities for socialization, exercising, and outdoor activities.
Owning a pet brings along responsibilities. Some of these basic responsibilities include making sure your pet is fed, watered, and their habitat is safe and caters to your pet’s specific needs.
One popular way to celebrate National Pet Day is by posting a picture of you and your pet on your social media using #NationalPetDay. You can get as creative as you’d like and set up a photo shoot to get the best selfie of your pet. Or you could simply snap a candid and post about why your pet is so important to you.
National Pet Day is an excellent time to do some updates for your pets:
Go through your pet’s toys. Throw away any items that are no longer safe.
Maintain your pet-friendly home. Keep cords and toxins secure from your four-legged friends. This includes phone chargers.
Verify when vaccinations are due and schedule an appointment to update if they are due.
Check collars to ensure tags are secure and numbers are current. We sometimes forget to update this information when we move or change numbers.
The Oregon Humane Society has lots of pets to adopt. Below are some details about adoption:
During this time, our shelter is closed for public walk-through viewing. Adoptions are available by appointment only. We will email you a scheduling link if you are first in line for a pet. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we find homes for pets as quickly and efficiently as possible. Stay safe, stay healthy!
The Adoption Process:
Step 1: Submit an adoption questionnaire. Pet profiles are available on our Adopt page. New pets are usually posted daily between 6-7 p.m. Read through the profiles carefully to see which pet you are interested in adopting.
At the end of each pet’s profile, you will see a link to a questionnaire for that pet. Click the link to fill out an online questionnaire for that pet and submit it to OHS.
You will need to submit a questionnaire for each animal you are interested in.
Step 2: Schedule an adoption phone consultation. If you are first in line for a pet, our Adoption team will email you a scheduling link to set up a time to talk on the phone to discuss the pet’s specific needs and whether the pet will be a good fit for your lifestyle. If you provide your mobile phone number on the adoption questionnaire, we will also text you a link to notify you that you are first in line. We will be sending out two rounds of emails daily: once in the morning and once in the early afternoon.
Please add [email protected] to your address book to ensure you don’t miss any important communications from us.
If you are a Gmail or Comcast user, please be sure to check your spam/junk folders.
We process adoption questionnaires on a first received, first-served basis. We recommend you continue to monitor your email as the first person does not always end up adopting. You will receive email notification once the pet has been adopted and your questionnaire is no longer valid.
Scheduling links will only be valid for 4 hours after the email is sent. If you do not schedule your appointment before the link expires, we will move on to the next person in line.
Please allow a 5-minute window to receive your call at your scheduled time. Please make sure your phone is on. You can expect us to be calling from (503) 285-7722.
Step 3: Schedule a meet & greet/adoption appointment. If you are ready to move forward with the adoption after your phone consultation, an appointment will be set up for you to meet with the pet. There is a $20 non-refundable hold fee to set an appointment for a meet and greet.
For your convenience, we also offer contactless adoptions for eligible pets. The decision for a contactless adoption can be made during the phone consultation.
You will only be able to meet with one pet during your appointment to minimize the amount of in-person contact with staff. You will have to wear a mask for the duration of your visit to OHS. We are limiting in-person meet and greets to 30 minutes or less.
Step 4: Take your new pet home! For more information about what is included in your new pet’s adoption, please head on over to our Adoption Support page.
Due to the high volume of calls, we are unable to provide specific animal information over the phone if you call in. Please look at each individual animal profile to learn more. The best place to view the most up-to-date information is on the OHS website. To ensure the most up-to-date and accurate reflection of animals available for adoption, we do not feed to third party sites like petfinder.com or adopt-a-pet.com.
OHS is a private, nonprofit organization that relies on individual donations, grants and our own fundraising to operate. We do not receive any federal, state or government funding.Adoption fees help offset some of the costs associated with providing for the animals in our care – this includes housing, food, medical care, enrichment, behavior modification and more. We use variable pricing and the adoption fee for each animal is dependent on many factors including age, breed and health of the individual animal.Adoption fees range from $55 to $600 for dogs and $15 to $200 for cats. The adoption fee for each animal is included in their animal profile.
Adoption Process
Who should meet my new pet?
At this time, due to COVID, we are asking that only the household decision-makers come to meet the pet you are interested in adopting. We are currently limiting the number of visitors per interaction. Please work with your adoption counselor if you feel there is need for additional family members to meet the pet. The adoption counselor will help you determine what is appropriate and how we can best accommodate your needs.We do not offer cat-to-cat introductions, rabbit-to-rabbit introductions or interspecies introductions. We do encourage bringing your dog in to meet any dog you are considering adopting. For all dog/puppy adoptions, we require you have a leash or crate to take the pet home, so don’t forget to bring yours from home if you already have one.
How can I be first in line for a pet?
We encourage you to check the website between 6-7 pm and submit a questionnaire as soon as possible to have the best chance of being first in line for a pet. If a client ahead of you places a hold for adoption, you will be notified via email and the pet will be removed from the website. *Some animals will be made available outside of the 6-7 pm timeframe, so it is always a good idea to continue to watch our website throughout the day. You can adjust the “sort by” filter to look at the most recent animals.
Understanding Your Pet
Icons
You may notice that some animals have icons underneath their profile photo. Here’s what the icons mean.
How We Assess Our Animals
Age: The age of an animal is subjective and approximate, but we look at their teeth, body condition and behavior.Behavior: Animals are assessed by highly trained staff to see how the animal responds to things such as handling, walking on leash and meeting other animals in the shelter. Relevant information is gathered and offered to potential adopters as tools for education. The evaluations by our staff are by no means comprehensive and guarantees of behavior. Environment plays a significant role in an animal’s behavior, their behavior is subject to change once the animal is in a different environment. OHS staff do their best to find great matches for all of our adopters along with plenty of post adoption support and resources.If you need additional support with your adopted pet, please visit our OHS Resource Library or contact our Training Department.Medical: Not all of our animals are seen by a veterinarian. At the time of intake, all animals will be looked over by a technician to inspect their coat and skin, ears, eyes, mouth, teeth and gums and their weight. If there is a concern, a request will be submitted to have a veterinarian look at the animal.Breed: The breed of an animal is subjective, but our highly trained staff uses their expertise to assign a breed that best fits the animal.Previous Owner Questionnaire: All owner surrendered animals will have a previous owner questionnaire that will tell you what the previous owner wants you to know about their pet. This will go home with the animal at time of adoption.
Second Chance
OHS works with more than 92 shelter partners across the Northwest, California and reaching as far as Louisiana. Learn more about this program.
Thank you for wanting to adopt a pet from the Oregon Humane Society. At OHS, we imagine a place where kindness and love prevail. A society in which all beings have a place, a purpose, and a sense of belonging. We are on a mission to create this society, a more humane society, and we need your help. Find out how you can be more humane.
Portland, OR. The Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation is announcing a significant increase in funds that will be distributed to nonprofits throughout Oregon and Washington. The foundation, founded by Dave and Sally Bany in 1998, is named for Sally’s grandmother, Marie Lamfrom seen above. Marie Lamfrom, who lived from 1896 to 1982 was the mother of Columbia Sportswear Company Chairman Gert Boyle. The foundation received additional funds after the passing of Gert Boyle in 2019. Currently, the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation has approximately $150 million in assets to support its mission and is on track to donate $9 million this year.
Marie Lamfrom’s Family: Sally Bany, Eva Labby, the late Gert Boyle and Rachael Bany Sneddon. Sally serves as the Chairman of the Foundation, while her daughter, Rachael Sneddon, is CEO. Additional trustees include Sally’s daughter, Annie Bany, and Sally’s son-in-law, Russell Sneddon.
With the increase in giving capacity, the Foundation will continue to support nonprofit organizations focusing on education and mentorship, arts and creativity, and health and well-being, with the majority of funds benefiting programs based in the Pacific Northwest. “I started this Foundation with my late husband, Dave, 23 years ago to honor the life of my amazing grandmother, Marie Lamfrom,” said Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation Chairman Sally Bany. “ At age 18, Marie served in World War I as a nurse on the Russian front, then returned to Germany, where she married and had three children. As the Nazis rose to power, Marie and her family fled to Portland, Ore.
After her relocation, Marie became known as Bluebird thanks to her support of the Girl Scouts, where she served as a troop leader at Shriners Hospital for Children.
“I feel so fortunate to come from a family of such strong, independent, and philanthropic women,” said Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation CEO Rachael Sneddon. “I grew up watching my mother and my grandmother continue the work of my great grandmother Marie, and I feel so honored to step into that role as we continue the Foundation’s support of so many important nonprofits. We want to encourage nonprofits doing work in education and mentorship, arts and creativity, and health and well-being to reach out. We would love to hear your story and explore ways we might be able to collaborate.”
The Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation was established by Dave and Sally Bany in 1998 to support nonprofit organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest. The Foundation now focuses on nonprofit programs that support education and mentorship, arts and creativity, and health and well-being. The Foundation was named for Sally’s grandmother, Marie Lamfrom. For more information, please visit marielamfrom.org.
The Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation, a local non-profit founded by Dave and Sally Bany in 1998. Named for Sally’s grandmother, Marie Lamfrom, the foundation has recently been granted additional funds after the passing of Marie’s daughter and Sally’s mother, Columbia Sportswear Company Chairman, Gert Boyle.
The current fund amount of $150 million will be used to support nonprofit organizations focusing on education and mentorship, arts and creativity, and health and well-being, with the majority of funds benefiting programs based in the Pacific Northwest. Past recipients of the Foundation include everything from Dress for Success and Girl Scouts Beyond Bars to Oregon Food Bank and the Pleasant Hill Community Theatre.
For decades, Marie gave to the people of her city and state through her numerous volunteer efforts and support of community causes. She served in World War I as a nurse, working on the Russian front at the age of 18. At the end of the war, she returned home to Germany and married Paul, then had three daughters. As the Nazis rose to power, Marie and her family fled to Portland, Oregon.
Marie (fondly known as “Bluebird”) was involved in Girl Scouts for over 44 years as a troop leader, board member and delegate to the national convention. She is lovingly remembered for her 20-year commitment to her Girl Scout troop at the Shriners Hospital for Children. She held an annual barbecue in the parking lot, and all the children attended, even wheeled down in their beds.
Perhaps her greatest legacy is the founding of a similar troop at Providence Hospital, a troop that continues today with 28 members. All the Girl Scouts are medically fragile, but–just as with Marie’s Shriners troop–they give back to their community by preparing and serving meals to the elderly.
Marie Lamfrom inspired countless young women. Girl Scouts is better because of her dedication, compassion, energy and commitment. Her long, rich legacy of Girl Scouting is now in its fourth generation.
The example that Marie set for all of us remains the goal even today. Since 2013 the Girl Scout Marie Lamfrom Women of Distinction Luncheon each year showcases the women who have followed her lead in choosing to make an impact with their work.
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