Portland, OR. The Oregon Food Bank was one of six Oregon nonprofits that benefited from the generosity of First Tech Federal Credit Union. Members, employees and the community came together for the annual signature ‘Season of Giving’ campaign in December. First Tech launched its annual giving campaign seven years ago to illuminate the collective impact people and organizations can make when working together.
Through in-branch and online voting in Oregon, Washington, California and beyond, First Tech employees, members and the community played a role in allocating funds and employee volunteer hours. More than $200,000 and thousands of volunteer hours went to support 43 nonprofit organizations.
“There is no better way to end the year than by bringing our employees and members together to give back to the communities we serve,” said Greg Mitchell, First Tech President and CEO. “We’re proud to support so many organizations that are dedicated to creating stronger, healthier communities with our ‘Season of Giving’ campaign as well as through additional philanthropic efforts throughout the year.”
Front runners in the ‘Season of Giving’ voting campaign include Oregon Food Bank ($24,500), going beyond providing fresh, healthy food to Oregon families by championing self-reliance through nutrition programs.
“At Oregon Food Bank, we believe we can build resilient communities that never go hungry,” said Susannah Morgan, CEO. We are thankful for our early and long-standing partnership with First Tech Federal Credit Union in creating an Oregon without hunger.”
Other nonprofit recipients in Oregon included OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. (Portland), SMART Reading (Portland), Marion-Polk Food Share (Salem), PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend (Springfield) and FOOD for Lane County (Eugene).
By focusing on nonprofits working to improve the health and education of children and families, First Tech is committing to building a legacy of impact so communities can thrive for generations to come.
Additional partners supported through First Tech’s ‘Season of Giving’ campaign include the following organizations, among many others throughout and beyond the country:
California: UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital-Oakland ($23,320), Boys and Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley ($9,160) and Valley Verde ($9,160)
First Tech Federal Credit Union is committed to supporting the next generation of leaders, thinkers and innovators. In 2018, First Tech provided$3.2 million in charitable giving and more than 35,000 employee volunteer hours to the community; directing dollars and time to nonprofit partners who provide programs and services to children and families in need. First Tech’s philanthropic focus areas include support for education (STEM, early childhood literacy and financial education), research (Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and supportive health services for children) and innovation (food, shelter and safety). Visit firsttechfed.com/community to learn more about the ways First Tech pays it forward throughout the year.
First Tech Federal Credit Union is a $12+ billion institution headquartered in San Jose, California. It is the nation’s premier credit union serving the world’s leading technology-oriented companies and their employees, including HP Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Microsoft, Agilent, Intel, Cisco, Amazon, Nike, Intuit, Google, and more. First Tech is recognized as the industry catalyst for delivering effortless banking experiences to more than 620,000 members through its 41 branch locations, more than 5,600 CO-OP Shared Branch locations, 30,000 CO-OP Network ATMs, and online platforms. First Tech offers a full range of financial services, including traditional banking, online banking, mortgages, financial planning, various consumer loans, and insurance services. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender. For more information, visit w ww.firsttechfed.com.
Gladstone, OR. The Children’s Course golf program is growing and offering more opportunities for at-risk kids. Construction is underway on a new learning center which will expand after-school mentoring services to underprivileged kids who love golf. The Executive Director of the nonprofit, Marti Loeb, says over the past three years the course has experienced 33% growth in the number of rounds played and last year alone 6,200 were played. The course offers a variety of options for kids to play golf and is particularly focused on bringing the game of golf to underprivileged, at-risk, low to moderate-income and special needs youth.
In addition to open play for kids, the Children’s Course offers six specialized programs including a Girls Golf Program which offers opportunities for girls to be introduced to the game and explore an interest in a setting that promotes positive and comfortable learning with other girls. That program is sponsored by the LPGA-USGA.
The Children’s Course is located between the Clackamas and Willamette Rivers in Gladstone. It originally opened for play as Rivergreens Golf Course in 1961 as an 18-hole, par 3 course. In 1989, following the development of apartments on the perimeter, the course was redesigned into a 9-hole, par 3 course. Then in 1996 Children’s Course founder, Duncan Campbell, launched the program hoping to use golf to provide positive youth development.
The Children’s Course eventually partnered with the national organization, The First Tee and has embraced its Core Values: 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 mentor program was designed to provide leadership and role models for kids who may not have ready access to personal guidance. Mentors believe, “The program produces tangible results—participants get help in applying to colleges and technical schools. The game of golf affords a holistic learning experience that teaches interpersonal skills, sportsmanship, etiquette, self-control, mental discipline as well as physical skills. Students learn to be responsible and develop a sense of judgment as they evaluate actions and their consequences.”
The Children’s Course also offers adaptive exposure clinics to participants of area school districts with varying degrees of mental use cognitive or intellectual disabilities.
From The Children’s Course:
The Children’s Course is a non-profit and is funded by private donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals. The golf course is home to the First Tee of Greater Portland, which provides young people with character-building and life skills lessons using golf as the platform.
We are focused on the personal growth of each child who enters the program. We are there to help each child recognize their potential. We help develop positive, contributing members to our community.
Join us for our annual gala! Here’s the information:
16th Annual Wine & Golf Ball Gala Wednesday, April 15th Hilton Portland Downtown – 921 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97204 Benefiting: The Children’s Course/The First Tee of Greater Portland 19825 River Rd. Gladstone, OR 97027 Tax id: 93-1212530
Portland, OR. These are the renderings for plans to turn the Wapato facility into a place called the Bybee Lakes Hope Center (BLHC). Owner, Jordan Schnitzer and the nonprofit Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers are hoping to transform the never-occupied, 155,000 square foot Wapato Corrections Facility into a trauma-informed, transitional housing facility to support Multnomah County community members experiencing homelessness. The Helping Hands organization has been successfully providing transitional housing since 2002. The organization has grown to include eleven facilities in four Oregon counties. Now it’s taking on Wapato.
Photos from Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers. Credit: Designer Stuart Emmons, Artist Craig Holmes.
Photos via Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers. Credit: Designer Stuart Emmons, Artist Craig Holmes.
The 15-year-old Wapato Jail – about 20 minutes northwest of Portland – has never been used. The $58 million facility was built as a prison in 2004, but never opened. On October 10th, Facility owner Jordan Schnitzer said the building would be demolished in the next few months unless political leaders could come up with a way to use it. In December, the Helping Hands plans for the facility were announced.
Helping Hands was founded by Alan Evans, who was homeless for over 25 years. Evans started Helping Hands to give other homeless people what he himself had needed: a helping hand to a sustainable life.
Jordan Schnitzer, (fourth from right) has said in the past he’s willing to invest $1 million to help Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers run a reentry program and emergency shelter out of the facility, but $2 million to $3 million is still needed to launch the operation.
For more information about the fundraising effort, here is a link to the program:
Portland, OR. What a year! PortlandSocietyPage.com has featured over 500 local nonprofits in 2019. Those admirable organizations have raised millions of dollars for worthy beneficiaries. It’s our privilege to be the top nonprofit news resource for local charities and the supporters who love them! Did you miss any stories? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter by CLICKING HERE! Have a great idea for 2019? Contact Editor & Publisher Elisa Klein, at [email protected].
So…here’s the list of the top ten most viewed stories (in reverse order to build your suspense) on PortlandSocietyPage.com during 2019.
Portland, OR. 270 guests raised $216,000 to support the PTC of Riverdale Grade School and Riverdale High School at its 007-themed gala. Parents Heather Burton, Niki Seawright, Wendy Domreis, Wendy Tolls & Kristen Best enjoyed the Casino Royale theme. The benefit on February 23rd was held at The Redd on SE Salmon Street. Nearly $70,000 will be passed through directly to the schools to help fund a “Let’s Play” paddle raise initiatives such as playground updates at the Grade School and new activity/athletic van and a Freedom Climber for the gymnasium at the High School. Read More
Portland, OR. More than 500 people attended the annual Oregon Museum of Science and Industry’s (OMSI) Gala to support efforts to spread science education across the Pacific Northwest. Governor Kate Brown, Piper Park, Kathy Rudd and Pat Reser were on hand for the May 4th gala. The benefit, which took place at OMSI, grossed more than $1.5 million through sponsorships, ticket sales and an auction, making it the nonprofit museum’s most successful event to date. This year’s gala, titled ‘Diamond Jubilee,’ commemorated OMSI’s 75th anniversary. Read More.
Portland, OR. Over 600 guests including current parents, alumni, past parents and friends enjoyed a festive evening at Jesuit High School’s 51st Annual Auction: Jazz Night in New Orleans. The Knight Center was transformed into a jazz club with music, Creole cuisine and colorful décor. Auction Chair Katherine Kreutzer, Major Program Director Anne Robinson, JHS President Tom Arndorfer, Auction Co-Chair Mary Murphy celebrated at the festive evening on May 4th. This year’s auction exceeded expectations with over $1,045,000 raised. Read More
Portland, OR. Drawing a record 450 guests, Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare’s 2019 Transformation Gala raised nearly a quarter million dollars in support of the nonprofit’s whole health care and outreach services. Attendance was the highest in the Gala’s three-year history, growing by 100 supporters over last year. Lisa Oyler, Chiki Nussbaumer, Gayathrai Ramprasad, Toc Soneoulay-Gillespie and Tamara Pedrojetti were among the hundreds who enjoyed the night. Read More.
Portland, OR. The Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) raised $1.27 million at its 19th annual Wonderball gala on September 28th. It was CCA’s biggest event of the year, which helps fuel its mission to prescribe joy to seriously ill children through free innovative programming that leverages music, friendship and nature. Founder Regina Ellis, who is pictured with friends and family, welcomed more than 950 supporters to the Oregon Convention Center for the gala. A Joie de Vivre theme celebrated French culture and the joy of life. Read More.
Portland, OR. DoveLewis has been selected as one of seven 24-hour animal hospitals that will be featured in a live National Geographic TV show called Animal ER Live. The series starts on Saturday, March 30th and will air from 6 to 8 p.m. Show creators promote the program, writing: “Be just a heartbeat away from the action as the team at DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital, the Northwest’s nonprofit 24/7 animal hospital, treats animals in the midst of emergencies on Nat Geo WILD’s new live TV series, Animal ER Live.” Read More.
Portland, OR. Starting on February 7th, more than 100 illuminated installations, artists, performers, interactive activities, and events will brighten the Portland cityscape for the 2019 Portland Winter Light Festival (PDXWLF). This free annual program of the nonprofit Willamette Light Brigade is expanding to its largest footprint yet. Read More.
Portland, OR. Eight hundred guests gathered for the 35th Annual Classic Wines Auction and raised $3 million dollars for five nonprofit partners. This brings the total raised, over 35 years, to nearly $50 million. The benefit was at the Oregon Convention Center on March 2nd. The nonprofit beneficiaries this year were: Metropolitan Family Service, New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children – Portland, YWCA Clark County, and Unity Center for Behavioral Health. (Photo credit, John Valls) Read More.
Portland, OR. More than 350 supporters joined forces for Portland Opera’s Flora + Fauna Fall. The September 14th benefit, at the Sentinel Hotel featured a performance by Broadway star Sutton Foster. Portland Opera raised over $1 million dollars. Organizers say proceeds from the Flora + Fauna Fall Ball will strengthen Portland Opera’s ability to serve audiences throughout the region, by supporting operational costs as well as special programming and projects. (Photo credit, Garrett Downen) Read More.
Portland, OR. This December will mark the 65th launch of the Christmas Ships Parade season. Parades on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers will last for 15 nights beginning on Thursday, December 5th through Sunday, December 22nd. There are seven nights where the fleet with be combined. Read More.
Well, there you have it, the top 10 Portland Society Page stories of the year. Society Page is a free community platform where you can make a difference. If you enjoy reading our positive news about the great things happening in our area, you can help and here’s how:
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Portland, OR. American Cancer Society’s Hope Gala was held at the Oregon Zoo’s Cascade Crest Ballroom. The November 9th benefit had a travel theme and featured a silent auction, cocktails, dinner, speakers, a live auction and entertainment. The funds raised at the Portland Hope Gala will benefit cancer research as well as the quality of life programs that remove barriers and provide resources and information to those battling cancer.
Steve Orozco of Fred Meyer Jewelers and the Hope Gala Hype Squad celebrate Steve’s Golden Ticket prize. (Photo credit, BarcStone Photography)
Portland Hope Gala guests enjoy their VIP reception featuring entertainment by Hula Halau ‘Ohana Holo’oko’a. (Photo credit, Aperture Vision Photography)
Portland Hope Gala guests enjoy mobile bidding during the silent auction at the Oregon Zoo. (Photo credit, BarcStone Photography)
From American Cancer Society:
At the American Cancer Society, we’re on a mission to free the world from cancer. Until we do, we’ll be funding and conducting research, sharing expert information, supporting patients, and spreading the word about prevention. All so you can live longer — and better.
Whether we’re working in a community near you or one halfway around the world, our mission remains the same: to save lives. See what we’ve been up to lately — and get to know the American Cancer Society a little bit better
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