Portland, OR. The Oregon Humane Society was granted $107,500 from PetSmart Charities on November 18th. This money is earmarked for the Oregon Humane Society’s Second Chance Program. The program was created to help other overflowing shelters move animals to communities with eager adopters for a second chance at a new life. Originally the Second Chance program helped dogs and puppies, but in 2019, the Oregon Humane Society opened a new Cat and Kitten Intake Center to accommodate large transports of cats and kittens. In Madera, California, they were struggling with a cat overpopulation for years. With this new Second Chance Program, more than 200 cats and kittens have been transported to OHS as a part of this grant.
This kitten was transported as part of the Second Chance Program. OHS plans on two trips per month from the Madera region through August 2020.
Deborah Turcott, acting president of PetSmart Charities, believes strong partnership is the key to success for this and other transport programs.“Pet transport is one of the strongest examples of how animal welfare organizations come together to solve for pet homelessness,” she explained. “And our funding to the Oregon Humane Society in this way brings our mission of finding loving homes for homeless pets come to life in communities across the country and in areas of great need.”
Cat Pictured From Oregon Humane Society’s Second Chance Program
OHS is the largest humane society in the Northwest and adopts more animals from its Portland shelter than any other single-facility shelter on the West Coast. OHS puts no time limits on how long animals remain at the shelter—a pet stays available for adoption for as long as needed to find a loving home. If a pet in the care of OHS needs medical attention, the OHS veterinary hospital provides the pet with the same level of care you would want your own pet to receive. Founded in 1868 by noted humanitarian Thomas Lamb Eliot, OHS is the fourth-oldest humane society in the nation. Eliot initially established OHS to stop the neglect and abuse of draft animals. The mission expanded to include companion animals and, until 1933, orphaned children.
More from PetSmart Charities:
PetSmart Charities, Inc. is committed to finding lifelong, loving homes for all pets by supporting programs and thought the leadership that brings people and pets together. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities helps to find forever homes and families for more than 600,000 shelter pets each year. Each year, millions of generous PetSmart shoppers help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting almost $400 million since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart Inc., PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator, a third-party organization that reports on the effectiveness, accountability and transparency of nonprofits, for the past 16 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of charities rated by this organization. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.
Portland, OR. Portland Center Stage at The Armory celebrated the World Premiere of a new play:Redwood.It stars Brittany K. Allen, a New York-based actor and writer. The play focuses on a young black woman’s relationship with her white boyfriend and how it’s thrown into turmoil when they discover her ancestors were enslaved by her boyfriend’s ancestors. Redwood also features a hip-hop dance chorus that helps explore a way to live in the present with the ghosts of the past. Pictured above at the November 1st’s opening night party are Brittany K. Allen, Hannah Rice, Orion Bradshaw, Ashley Mellinger, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Jamie Lynne Simons, and Andrea Vernae. (Photography by Kate Szrom/Courtesy of Portland Center Stage at The Armory.)
Brittany K. Allen and Nick Ferrucci at the opening night of Redwood.
Jamie Lynne Simons, Hannah Rice, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Orion Bradshaw, and Ashley Mellinger at the opening night of Redwood.
Jennifer Lanier and Tyrone Mitchell Henderson at the opening night of Redwood.
Eva Steingrueber-Fagan with Redwood costume designer Alison Heryer.
Nick Ferrucci and Darrell Grand Moultrie
Jenn Thompson, Lauren Modica, and Katie Nguyen at the opening night of Redwood.
Andrea Vernae, Ashley Mellinger, Orion Bradshaw, and Charles Grant at the opening night of Redwood.
Chip Miller, Marissa Wolf, and Darrell Grand Moultrie
Associate Producer Chip Miller made his directing debut at The Armory with his vibrant theatrical production. Darrell Grand Moultrie, who has choreographed for Beyoncé and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, also made his debut at The Armory choreographing Redwood.
Miller states, “How much of our identity is something we choose? And how much of it is tied to our genealogy – the traumas and joys of our ancestors being passed along to us through generations? Brittany is able to ask these challenging questions while maintaining a true sense of joy, surprise and theatricality continue to astound me. Plus, there’s dancing!”
Marissa Wolf and Chip Miller
A short video of Redwood:
From Portland Center Stage at The Armory:
Portland Center Stage at The Armory is the largest theater company in Portland and among the top 20 regional theaters in the country. Established in 1988 as a branch of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the company became independent in 1994 and is under the leadership of Artistic Director Marissa Wolf and Managing Director Cynthia Fuhrman. Around 160,000 visitors attend The Armory annually to enjoy a mix of classic, contemporary, and world premiere productions, along with a variety of high-quality education and community programs. Ten productions are offered this season, in addition to hundreds of community events created to serve the diverse populations in the city. As part of its dedication to new play development, the company has produced 27 world premieres and presents an annual new works festival, JAW: A Playwrights Festival. Home to two theaters, The Armory (originally built in 1891) opened its doors in 2006 as the first building on the National Register of Historic Places, and the first performing arts venue in the country, to achieve a LEED Platinum rating.
THE 2019-2020 SEASON
The 2019-2020 season is funded in part by Season Superstars Tim and Mary Boyle, Mary and Don Blair, and Lead Corporate Champion Umpqua Bank. Further support comes from Season Sponsors Advance Gender Equity in the Arts (AGE); the Regional Arts and Culture Council; and the Oregon Arts Commission, a state agency funded by the state of Oregon and the National Endowment for the Arts. Support for Redwood comes from Ronni Lacroute, Ellyn Bye, and Hilary Krane and Kelly Bulkeley. Here’s a link with more information: https://www.pcs.org/
Portland, OR. Diverse communities came together for Q Center’s annual SHINE brunch on November 3rd at the Portland Marriott Downtown. The Q Center’s mission is to provide a space for togetherness, progress, and support people within the LGBTQ+ community. The annual SHINE brunch is meant to honor those who help the organization grow. There were 500 supporters in attendance and over $130,000 was raised. Pictured above, enjoying the photo booth, are state representatives Alissa Keny Guyer, Jennifer Williamson, and Margaret Doherty. (Photo credit, Marty Davis and Smirk Photobooth)
Bridges Voices Choir
Executive Director, Cameron Whitten
The Q Center’s values include bringing more safety, resilience, anti-oppression, learning, empowerment, inclusion and transparency into the world. The main purpose of the Q Center is to build community and host support and activity groups that are peer-led. Some examples of different types of groups include sexual orientation programs, gender identity programs, addiction & mental health support, help for veterans and more.
Board Treasurer, Erin Waters
Bill Dickey and John Salazar
From the Q Center:
Our Mission is to provide safe spaces, community building and empowerment for the positive transformation of LGBTQ2SIA+ communities and allies in the Pacific Northwest. As the largest LGBTQ+ community center in the Pacific Northwest, Q Center proudly serves the LGBTQ2SIA+ communities of Portland Metro and Southwest Washington. Our drop-in and event space on North Mississippi Avenue is a frequent first stop for new arrivals in Portland, and for longtime residents who are newly out or questioning their sexual or gender identity. Q Center also serves as an information hub for friends, partners, community, and family members of LGBTQ2SIA+ individuals. We pride ourselves on our collaborative approach and seek out ways to share resources with other nonprofits and public institutions locally and statewide.
Portland, OR. Oregon Energy Fund (OEF) celebrated its 30th anniversary at its annual Power Gala on October 12th. The event raised more than $70,000, which will be used to support OEF’s mission to help Oregonians in financial crisis pay their energy bills. More than 100 guests attended the Roaring ’20s-themed event, which was held at the Sentinel Hotel and emceed by Joe Vithayathil of KPTV-FOX 12. Pictured above, showing off their 1920’s attire, are guests of Gold Sponsor Portland General Electric.
Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle, Multnomah County Commissioner Lori Stegmann, and OEF Executive Director Brian Allbritton are all smiles at the cocktail hour.
Volunteers John Wheatfall (PGE) and Arielle Freytag (Miss Oregon 2019) get ready to sell some raffle tickets.
Guests of Gold Sponsor McDowell Rackner Gibson PC enjoy their dinner in the Grand Ballroom
The Smut City Jellyroll Society Band serenades the room.
Throughout the evening, speakers reflected on OEF’s 30-year history and its impact on Oregonians across the state, such as a Marine Corps veteran who needed to keep the heat high in his home due to poor health, but was unable to keep up with the resulting costs. “For the last three decades, our work has been driven by the same core values: compassion, collaboration, and innovation,” said OEF Executive Director Brian Allbritton. “The funds raised tonight will help us provide a critical lifeline to the tens of thousands of Oregonians who sacrifice food or medicine to pay their bills each year. We couldn’t be more grateful to our amazing community of sponsors, donors, and friends.”
Board of Directors Vice President Sarah Simmons addresses the room.
Auctioneer Misty Marquam, back for her fifth gala with OEF.
Paige and Beth Sterrett cinch a winning bid in the live auction.
Charity and Christina Spires (Pacific Power) enjoy dessert at the end of the night.
Imagine a life without electricity. No A/C to keep you cool in the summer. No heat to warm your family in the winter. No stove, no refrigerator, no lights, no internet. For thousands of Oregon families, this scenario is all too real. A medical emergency or loss of income can quickly snowball into a financial crisis, leaving families with mounting debt and agonizing decisions. Buy food – or pay the electric bill? Give up light or medicine? Rent or heat? We believe no one should face these questions. The Oregon Energy Fund is a 30-year-old nonprofit that provides energy bill assistance to low-income Oregonians in support of household stability. Since 1989, OEF has helped almost 300,000 people pay their bills in times of crisis, ensuring that families in need don’t have to sacrifice food, rent, or medicine to pay for electricity. Through the direct service of energy assistance, we supply a basic need that prevents the triple traumas of illness, homelessness, and hunger, and gives children and adults alike the support they need to lead healthy and productive lives.
Portland, OR. The theme for the Portland Rose Festival’s annual fall fundraising event was “Cocktails & Roses.” The October 11th benefit raised $189,000 and was held at Montgomery Park’s center court before it closes for renovation under new ownership. Capital One Café’s Jhus Custodio, Sierra Harris, Antonio Montoya, Rick Blossom and Alex Hall enjoyed specialty cocktails during the Silent Auction. (Photo credit to Rich Jarvis and Mari Bunnage.)
2019 princesses Daria Stalions of Jefferson, Gabby Ferroggiaro of Madison and Toria Lopez of Tigard bring their royal charm to help raise funds for the festival foundation.
2018 Royal Rosarian Prime Minister Adam Baker, 2019 Rose Festival Board nominee Sgt.Paul Meyer and wife Mary Meyer.
Ben Sickenger and Marcia Randall enjoy time at the silent auction.
Rose Festival CEO Jeff Curtis shares a laugh with Ron and Beverly Burback of Funtastic Traveling Shows
Jermaine Atherton and wife Rose Festival President Teri Bowles-Atherton greet quests at the annual auction and dinner
Rose Festival Public Relations Manager Rich Jarvis and City Commissioner Amanda Fritz pose for a selfie during the silent auction.
From Portland Rose Festival Foundation:
The Portland Rose Festival Foundation organizes all of the events that are anticipated every year come springtime in Portland. The Rose Festival has many events that portray the diverse interests and communities in Portland. Some of The Rose Festival Foundation’s values include community leadership, volunteerism, patriotism, and environmentalism. Every year, girls from all different high schools in Portland can apply to be apart of the Rose Festival Court. The judges elect a lucky girl to be queen, and she is then crowned at the Queen’s Coronation in the spring. Events and programs like these encourage young girls to expand their leadership skills, reach their goals, and excel in both their school and community. Famous events such as the Grand Floral Parade, Starlight Parade, and the Junior Parade are just some of the events that bring the people of Portland together each year.
Here’s a video about the Rose Festival Court:
Part of Portland’s popular culture for more than a century, the Rose Festival has its roots in tradition while its programming is both contemporary and nostalgic. Foresighted city leaders started the festival during the first decade of the 20th Century in order to put Portland on the map and brand it the ‘summer capital of the world.’ Little did they know that more than a hundred summers later the Rose Festival would be world-famous for its amazing, award-winning events, as well as serving as a community leader for celebrating values like volunteerism, patriotism and environmentalism. In 2010, the Rose Festival was finally acknowledged as Portland’s Official Festival by proclamation of the Council. With dozens of events spotlighting the diverse interests and culture of the community, the Rose Festival makes a positive impact on hundreds of thousands of lives annually, bringing smiles to the faces of both locals and guests. Peruse this website to learn more about the festival’s three popular parades, its three-weekend urban fair packed with great entertainment, good food and fantastic features, and about the iconic Court made up of local high school women making goodwill visits all around the state. The Rose Festival makes Portland a better place to live and visit.
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