Portland, OR. “Staying in the Game” was the theme of INCIGHT’s virtual gala, which raised $125,000. KATU Sports Director Joe Becker and news anchor Steve Dunn (far right) helped INCIGHT co-founder Scott Hatley, and cameraman Judd Girard kick off the benefit. Founders say, “INCIGHT is dedicated to changing hearts and minds, leveraging obstacles, and unlocking the potential for those with disabilities through education, employment, and independence programs.”
Hosted by Dan Friess and local TV personality Natali Marmion, in a Ted Lasso-inspired locker room, the INCIGHT gala had close to 180 supporters tune in on October 8th.
Attendees Michael Langley, Eve Miller, and Elisabeth Rosenast enjoy their tailgate party along with Mitch Blatt who was on the phone, zooming in from Montana.
Julie Resk, Jill Kraemer and Mair Blatt prepping for their INCIGHT tailgater party
All Tailgate Party Hosts received an INCIGHT branded tote bag filled with food and fun to share at their INCIGHT Tailgate Party.
From INCIGHT:
The night featured reports in the field from local schools, INCIGHT’s area Safeway store in Lake Grove, Hood to Coast’s “Mother of all Relays” event in Seaside, Oregon, The Partners Group Throwdown: Cornhole for a Cause event at Hillsboro Stadium and The Moda Center.
“Staying in the Game” is a great metaphor for sports, and more importantly, life. It’s why INCIGHT selected this sports-oriented statement as the theme of this year’s fundraising Gala. The team continues to compete in the game in spite of significant barriers and challenges, just as people with disabilities leverage obstacles in their own life to unlock their greatest potential. Coaching through their own set of challenges, INCIGHT established a new game plan, developing a new vision, mission, and values. They believe this plan gives them the best chance of winning and being successful. They don’t want their clients’ potential locked up. They want to change hearts and minds and break stigma when that’s what’s needed.
The event shared stories of programmatic success, chronicled a unique international partnership with Variety Children’s Charities in Canada around a special adaptive sport for youth, and highlighted two longtime organization supporters and the strategic partnership with Hood-to-Coast Relay.
The partnership with Variety Children’s would not have been possible without the support of Ashley Campion and the Johnson Charitable Trust. We could not have held this event without the generosity of our presenting sponsor, the Safeway Foundation. Other sponsors for our event include OnPoint Community Credit Union, Family Business Advisors, MODA Health, PacMet, Cascade Wealth Advisors and Educational Excellence. The event livestream can still be watched by visiting www.incight.org/gala. INCIGHT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has been Unlocking the Potential of People experiencing disabilities for more than 18 years. INCIGHT’s vision “MOVING THE WORLD: Expecting Great Contributions with People Experiencing Disabilities”. INCIGHT’s services have influenced thousands of students, job seekers, educators, parents, employers and community members. The INCIGHT mission is one that invites and challenges everyone to think, feel and behave with more equity and expectancy.
Portland, OR. Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest (BBBS) raised $475,000 at its “Impact of a Connection” gala. After a two-year Covid-prompted hiatus, the benefit was held at The Redd on Salmon Street on September 22nd. It raised funds to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that supporters say help to ignite the power and promise of youth. At the event, Nick Kristof, New York Times Columnist, and Artis Stevens, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters America posed for a photo together. (Photo credit, Adam Levy)
Artis Stevens, President, and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters America
Beach Pace, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest
Lindsey Murphy, event emcee, and Alumni Little Sister
Owa Odighizuwa, Former NFL Player and Alumni of Little Brother, and Artis Stevens, President, and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters America
From Big Brothers Big Sisters:
The sun shined bright as guests arrived to enjoy the cocktail hour, packed with entertainment featuring saxophonist Eldon “T” Jones, Finn the Magician, a 360 photo booth, and delicious cocktails from Tito’s Handmade Vodka. We were joined by a special guest speaker, Artis Stevens, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, who gave a moving speech about the importance of mentorship in the lives of youth. Alumni Little, Lindsey Murphy, celebrated her 30th year in contact with her Big Sister, Melissa, a science teacher that inspired her to start her wildly popular Youtube show, the FabLab.
The night concluded with a celebration of the 2022 Bigs and Littles of the year highlighting the matches of Big Brother Gus and Little Brother Jason and Big Sister Monica and Little Sister Jeni who took the stage to accept their awards. As a community, we were able to raise a record-breaking $475,000 in support of our one-to-one mentoring programs here in Portland and SW Washington. One of the best parts of the night happened among all the staff and event volunteers after the event when, Beach Pace, BBBSCNW CEO, rallied everyone together to take a moment to take pride in all the work we had all put into this event.
A sincere thank you to everyone who made this event a beautiful success. It takes a village, and we are so glad you are a member of our village. Our sincerest appreciation goes out to our 2022 Gala Committee led by co-chairs Suzy Alexander, and Lee Lenker. A BIG thank you to our Presenting Sponsors Twenty Four 7 and Concentrix Catalyst, our Ignite Sponsors The Standard, OnPoint Community Credit Union, Nike, M Financial Group, Cambia Health Solutions, Anderson Construction, our Inspire Sponsors KPMG, Moss Adams, Comcast, Baird, General Sheet Metal, Hillsboro Hops, M Science, Sheldon Warmington & Janel Warmington and Table Sponsors @ACME, Advantis Credit Union, Brown & Brown Insurance. Barran Liebman LLP, Natasha Elhaj-Hedinger, Kaiser Permanente, Moda Health, North Highland, owamagbe odighizuwa, Pacific West Bank, Parker, Smith & Feek, TM Rippey Consulting Engineers and Xenium HR!
Portland, OR. Community members gathered at the Oregon Convention Center for The ALS Association‘s Together for ALS Gala. Over 450 attendees joined the organization’s first “in-person” gala event since 2019. ‘Together for ALS’ raised $360,000 to support families living with ALS in Oregon and SW Washington. Stuart and Michelle Faris, seen above, attended the September 24th benefit to honor Malcolm Fylan. (Photo credit, Randy Boverman)
Keynote speaker Mary Porter from Parkdale, Oregon was welcomed by the emcee for the evening Valerie Hurst, a reporter, and anchor for KATU-TV.
ALS Association Executive Lance Christian with State Treasurer Tobias Read and his wife Heidi Read
Jeff and Natalie Newgard of Peak Consulting sponsored the event and welcomed guests.
DeeAnn Little and Barb Deeming enjoyed the night in memory of Randy Cadonau
There’s a video from Oregon and SW Washington Chapter of The ALS Association. (Editor’s note: the video features my unfailingly positive uncle, David Judd. He’s still going strong!)
From the Oregon and SW Washington Chapter:
The Oregon and SW Washington Chapter of The ALS Association provides support and resources for people living with ALS, their families, and caregivers living in the State of Oregon and the six counties of Southwest Washington.
Rockaway Beach, OR. Rules for this race include, “no running alongside, throwing treats or toys, or creating a trail of bacon bits!” It was the 15th Annual Firecracker Wiener Nationals in Rockaway Beach. Organizers say the July 4th event drew more people and raised more donations for the Tillamook Animal Shelter than in previous years. Held in Sea View City Park, the races featured 8 heats and over 50 wiener dogs running their little legs down the course. One participant named Stella, seen above was cheered on at the starting gate by volunteer, Isabel Klein.
Chad Carter and Eli Newell organize and emcee the races. They say, “Our first priority is fun, and our other first priority is raising money for a good cause.”
The dachshund, also known as the wiener dog, is a short-legged, long-bodied, hound-type dog breed. The dog may be smooth-haired, wire-haired, or long-haired. Registration for each dog was a suggested $5 donation.
Rules include: Dogs may be tossed at the starting line, but they must touch the course at least once before the finish line. No “full court” dog tossing.
A long-haired dachshund named Moe was the big winner of the 2022 race.
Here’s more information about the races:
It’s simple. You just have to show up at the races from Noon to 1pm and Register your dog at the Registration Tent.
Please help us get started on time by registering as close to Noon as you can.
After that, your dog will be assigned a heat in our tournament. Then it’s up to your dog’s giant heart and his tiny little legs.
We’ll keep racing until one dog is crowned the Firecracker Grand Champion.
There is a suggested donation of $5 for race registration.
Non-Wiener Dogs:
We don’t do a tournament for non-wieners. But bring your drag basset or nitro-powered labrador to compete in one of our “All Dog” races. It’s just for fun, but the sight of a dozen yorkies barelling toward the finish line is its own reward.
Other than that, the process is the same. Register at the Registration Tent on the day of the event. Registration is open from Noon to 1pm.
There is a suggested donation of $5 for race registration.
The Rules
Our first priority is fun, and our other first priority is raising money for a good cause. But a sense of fair play goes a long way toward everyone having a great afternoon. With that in mind, we just have a few simple rules.
Have fun.
Don’t ruin anyone else’s fun.
Nothing on or over the course except the dogs themselves.That means no running alongside, throwing treats or toys, or creating a trail of bacon bits.
If it looks like a dachshund, it’s a dachshund.If your dog looks like a short german shepherd or a dachshund with a pug face, we will gladly register you in the all-breed race. That being said, please let us pet your dachshund with a pug face.
Dogs may be tossed at the starting line, but they must touch the course at least once before the finish line.No “full court” dog tossing.
When in doubt, talk to us.If something happens that makes the event less than fun, tell the emcees as soon as possible. We’ll try our best to make it right.
DID YOU MISS OUT ON GETTING YOUR FIRECRACKER WIENER NATIONAL GEAR THIS YEAR?
Great News! We’re now selling merchandise year-round. And as always, all profits go to the TIllamook Animal Shelter and help support their vital work.
West Linn, OR. The skies over Tumwater Vineyard cleared in time for party-goers celebrating Home Builders Foundation’s 25th Anniversary. The Building Hope Gala and Auction presented by California Closets on June 11th drew an enthusiastic crowd of over 300 people. During its first 25 years, Home Builders Foundation (HBF) of Metro Portland has worked with more than 30 organizations to build or improve more than 70 facilities. The facilities serve some of the most vulnerable people in our community, such as shelters for domestic violence and sex trafficking survivors, and tiny home villages for veterans.
HBF Executive Director Brenda Ketah honors the foundation’s founder Rudy Kadlub
In all, the HBF Building Hope Gala and Auction raised close to $400,000. This first fully in-person event since the pandemic is one of the top three in HBF history.
The crowd was first treated to a video origin story of Home Builders Foundation, featuring Founder Rudy Kadlub. He reflected “the ability to give back, not just with money but expertise and hands-on work is a wonderful feeling. I am so proud of the home builders here in the Portland Metro region.” Home Builders Foundation began in 1997 as the nonprofit arm of the Home Builders Association of Metro Portland. Over the years, HBF has focused on encouraging employment in home building, and building shelter for the houseless as a national affiliate of HomeAid America.
Attendees enjoy the in-person benefit.
The guests walk to the large auction tent featuring 25th Anniversary theme colors of silver, white, and Tiffany blue.
Bidding for auction items was fast and furious. The highlight of the evening was the auction of a basket of products made in the USA, collected by the leadership of the Home Builders Foundation. Bidding for the basket was announced as a tribute to the late HBF board member Mike Harn, of Anlon Construction. Harn was a local builder, family man, and an Army veteran who passed away after a long battle with cancer earlier this year. The basket to honor a treasured member of the HBF generated $29,000 for HBF’s projects. Former HBF Board Chair Morley was astounded saying “I’ve been to 20+ HBF auctions and never witnessed that kind of a moment honoring Mike Harn.”
Another tribute came with a video to show the St. Johns Village of tiny homes, one of HBF’s projects for the past few years. Operator Do Good Multnomah’s Chris Aiosa credits Home Builders Foundation for helping their vision for the Village come to life. “We were able to build housing like we wanted to build housing. There wasn’t any red tape or bureaucracy. It was just building housing with dignity.” In all, the HBF Building Hope Gala and Auction raised close to $400,000. This first fully in-person event since the pandemic is one of the top three in HBF history. At a time when housing is needed more than ever, the gala proceeds will help HBF begin its next 25 years in a strong position to make an impact.
From Home Builders Foundation:
During its first 25 years, HBF of Metro Portland has worked with more than 30 organizations to build or improve more than 70 facilities. The facilities serve some of the most vulnerable people in our community, such as shelters for domestic violence and sex trafficking survivors, and tiny home villages for veterans. HBF asks members of the home-building community to donate their time and materials to help service providers with their shelter projects.
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