Portland, February 22nd, 2014. The Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center is kicking off its 25th Anniversary with the new exhibit “Capturing a Generation through the Eye of a Lens: The Photographs of Frank C. Hirahara, 1948 – 1954.” On display are vintage photos taken by Hirahara.
Frank C. Hirahara’s photo of the Portland Rose Festival Portland Realty Board float from the 1950’s .
This collection of post‐war photographs feature the Japanese and Chinese American communities in Portland, activities of the Oregon Camera Club and the Portland Photographic Society, the Portland Rose Festival, the Epworth Methodist Church, and the Oregon Buddhist Temple.
Portland Rose Festival Float in the 1950’s Oregon Nikkei Endowment
One of Frank C. Hirahara’s award winning portraits was of Oregon’s own Patti Throop, who was a Portland Rose Festival Princess, Miss Portland, Miss Oregon, and a semi‐finalist in Miss America in 1954, which is prominently shown in the exhibit.
The photographic exhibit is at the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center, located at 121 NW 2nd Avenue. The Center was created to preserve, educate, and honor the history and culture of Japanese Americans in the Pacific Northwest and to advocate for the protection and civil rights for all. This collection of over 1,000 images was donated to the Oregon Nikkei Endowment, by Frank’s daughter Patti Hirahara of Anaheim, California, and these newly discovered images have helped to provide a pictorial record of this time in history.
After Frank C. Hirahara’s graduation from Washington State University in 1948, Frank was hired by the Department of Interior’s Bonneville Power Administration as an Electrical Engineer in Portland and he worked there till 1954 before moving to California to enter into the new aerospace boom in Southern California. This serious amateur photographer’s work has surprised visitors during advance previews with his attention to composition and detail.
The Frank C. Hirahara photo collection will become a part of DENSHO’s online digital collection which received funding from the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grants Program. Frank Hirahara honed his skills as a photographer while as a high school student at Heart Mountain High School, where he was a photo editor and photographer of the school’s “Tempo” annual. He and his father George took and processed over 2,000 photos of the Heart Mountain Japanese Relocation Camp in Wyoming from 1943‐1945 and this collection is considered to be the largest private collection of photos taken there. This Heart Mountain collection was donated to Frank’s alma mater of Washington State University and WSU’s Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections has collaborated with the Oregon Nikkei Endowment for this exhibit in showing photo panels and artifacts from their George and Frank C. Hirahara Collection.
George Hirahara and his family, including Frank ’48, had their lives in Yakima disrupted in 1942 when they were forced to relocate with about 10,000 other Japanese Americans to Heart Mountain, Wyoming.
16 Time Emmy award winner David Ono, co‐anchor for ABC7’s Eyewitness News in Los Angeles, utilized the Hirahara Heart Mountain photos in his documentary “WITNESS – The Legacy of Heart Mountain” and a preview of the documentary is being shown with the Heart Mountain section of this exhibit. Frank Hirahara’s daughter Patti Hirahara, will be coming to Portland to show this new hour long version of the Heart Mountain documentary at the Hollywood Theatre on March 5th.
The exhibit also incorporates photos and historic documents of the “Hirahara Story – 100 Years and Four Generations” from the Hirahara Family Collections at the City of Anaheim Libraries Heritage Center, the Oregon Historical Society, and the Yakima Valley Museum in Yakima, Washington and is a sanctioned event of the Portland Rose Festival. The exhibit is open through– June 15, 2014. The Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center is located at 121 NW 2nd Avenue, Portland, Oregon and the exhibit will be open from Tue‐Sat 11AM‐3 PM and Sun 12‐3 PM. Admission is $5, $3 seniors (62+) /students, children under 12 free, and free to members of the Oregon Nikkei Endowment. Updates on affiliated exhibit events can be found on the organization’s website at www.oregonnikkei.org. For information about the exhibit and Heart Mountain screening, call (503) 224‐1458.
# # #
About the Oregon Nikkei Endowment
The mission of the Oregon Nikkei Endowment is to preserve and honor the history and culture of Japanese Americans in the Pacific Northwest, to educate the public about the Japanese American experience during World War II, and to advocate for the protection of civil rights for all Americans. Our two projects include the Japanese American Historical Plaza in Waterfront Park, designed by landscape architect Robert Murase, and the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center, a place to explore the culture and history of Japanese Americans, located in Portland’s historic Old Town neighborhood.
Portland, October 17th, 2013. Pinewood derby cars raced to the finish during the final Wishes on Wheels benefit for Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel, Oct. 17. The annual event raised nearly $80,000 this year, with an overall net of $1 million over its 15 year history.
Wishes on Wheels volunteers Bella Garnatz, Jenny Robinson and Angela Heckathorn.
About 300 people from local companies filled the atrium of Legacy Emanuel Medical Center for their last chance to go head to head with their rivals. “It’s all for the kids, and we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished in the 15 years of this event,” said Event Chair, Brenda Alexander. “The community has rallied around the checkered flag because they see the difference Randall Children’s Hospital makes in the lives of children,” she said. “We are truly grateful for our many supporters and thank them for their dedication.”
The 2013 winning team was Fred Meyer.
Randall Children’s Hospital Foundation raises funds and promotes visibility in the community to assist Randall Children’s Hospital in providing exceptional health care to the children within the region. To make a donation or learn more about supporting Randall Children’s Hospital, call 503-276-9496. For more information about the work of Legacy Health foundations, call the Office of Philanthropy at 503-415-4700 or visit www.legacyhealth.org/giving.
About Legacy Health – the Office of Philanthropy
The Legacy Health Office of Philanthropy coordinates all fundraising initiatives for Legacy Health, a nonprofit health care system serving Oregon and Southwest Washington. Our foundations – Randall Children’s, Emanuel, Good Samaritan, Meridian Park, Mount Hood and Salmon Creek – support the system’s six acute care hospitals as well as its clinical, educational and research programs. The Office of Philanthropy is committed to Legacy’s mission of providing good health for our people, our patients, our communities and our world. For more information, please visit www.legacyhealth.org/giving.
Portland, October 11th, 2013. For the first time, SEMpdx embarked on a benefit in which all the proceeds would go directly to charity. Rand Fishkin, (CEO and Founder of Moz), was the featured speaker at the SEMpdx benefit that raised $5,000 from ticket sales and contributions. SEMpdx then matched this amount, creating a total donation of $10,000 — representing the largest single contribution the nonprofit has ever made. The Portland, Ore.-based nonprofit digital marketing group chose the Cottam Library Fund which benefits the Myrtle Point Public Library Foundation. The fund was created by SEMpdx Board Member, Michael Cottam, in response to the killing of his parents this past June in Myrtle Point, Ore.
Michael Cottam, SEMpdx Board Member and creator of The Cottam Library Fund, is looking to spark a light in a time of darkness by creating a “Phoenix from ashes” in rebuilding the Myrtle Point Library — a dream his parents held dear to their hearts.
“On June 16 I had to tell my six year old son, who had already lost his mother to cancer, that his grandmother and grandfather had been killed,” said Cottam. “I had to find a way to make a positive memorial for my parents to show my son that for every evil action in the world, there are thousands of people who are wonderful — who will step up and help in horrible situations. This is what SEMpdx and the local internet marketing community has done for us.”
The Cottam Library Fund was spearheaded by Cottam, who lost his parents (Renae and Lola Cottam) when they were tragically killed this June in Myrtle Point, Ore. This atrocity was followed by their house being burned to the ground. Looking to spark a light in a time of darkness, Cottam is creating a “Phoenix from the ashes” in rebuilding the Myrtle Point Library — a dream his parents held dear to their hearts.
Digital marketing professionals gathered to glean insight from Fishkin about tactics and strategies for succeeding in the ever-changing digital marketing world. Fishkin’s company creates marketing and analytics software. It recently opened a Portland-based office called Mozlandia this past spring.
“When the opportunity presented itself to speak at SEMpdx’s event to support Michael, there was no question about making the trip down from Seattle,” said Fishkin. “When one member of the digital community experiences hardship, we come together and support each other in any way that we can.”
Built in 1954, the Flora M. Laird Memorial Library in Myrtle Point is in drastic need of a makeover and expansion. The Cottams were passionate about the library and spent much of their time there, often with their grandson (mentioned above) whose first word was “book.” The accessibility to learning and information was fundamentally important to them. The Cottam Library Fund is a perfect match to provide healing for the family and to help the local community of Myrtle Point, Ore.
Digital marketing professionals gathered to glean insight from Rand Fishkin (CEO and Founder of Moz), who made the trip down from Seattle without hesitation to support Cottam — speaking to the importance of the digital community sticking together.
About SEMpdx
SEMpdx (Search Engine Marketing Professionals of Portland) is a nonprofit group dedicated to nurturing the development of the search engine marketing (SEM) and social media marketing (SMM) industries in Portland. Created as a resource for both local industry professionals and area businesses, SEMpdx strives to build national credibility for Portland as a hub for the industry, as well as improve the quality of work and life for its professionals.
SEMpdx is committed to giving back to the local community by supporting charitable organizations. Each year, SEMpdx selects a charity of choice to support for a 12 month period. This year’s charity is the Cat Adoption Team. Visit www.sempdx.org for more information.
About SearchFest
SearchFest, hosted by SEMpdx, is Portland’s premier digital marketing conference. The eighth annual event will take place on Friday, February 28, 2014 at the Governor Hotel.
Portland, August 11th, 2013. Oregon’s largest culinary gathering drew over 50,000 foodies. Mike Adams of Adams Rib Smoke House had a chance to show off his hearty grilled items. The Bite of Oregon was presented by Amica Insurance and also included Oregon wine and craft beer offerings at Portland’s Waterfront Park.
Chef Erica from Le Cordon Bleu made lime mouse during a demonstration.
Some food and drink vendors like “Ice” brought in displays and handed out free samples.
New aspects included an expanded SYSCO Oregon Chef’s Stage, celebrity chef, Iron Chef Oregon competitions, Gerry Frank’s Oregon Chef’s Table, fully programmed Kids Fair, Oregon Wine Pavilion, and the growing Oregon Craft Beer Garden.
Jeff Wood from Le Cordon Bleu stirred up some fresh Marionberry ice cream.
Gabriel Green from .OC.T. worked alongside Nathan Weaver from the Parkrose Chateau.
Volunteer who helped out Special Olympics with their donated labor manned stations like the beverage huts. They inculded, Genevieve Klein and Isabel Klein from the National Charity League and PJ Hummelt from Jesuit High School.
Combining many of Portland’s most popular restaurants, bands, and comedians with Oregon’s premiere wineries for a few days of fun every August was the brainchild of local festival producer, Clay Fuller. In 1984, armed with a city park permit to “utilize a Portland park for the benefit of raising funds for a recognized non-profit organization”, Fuller teamed with beneficiary, Special Olympics Oregon, to create The Bite.
But like most fledgling enterprises, The Bite did not begin with 50,000 attendees The inaugural festival featured 23 Portland restaurants, 6 Oregon wineries, 1 comedian, and 23 bands.
About Special Olympics Oregon: This year, Special Olympics Oregon celebrates its 40th anniversary of providing Training for Life to the largest disability population in the state. Special Olympics Oregon is a year-round program offering 14 different Olympics style sports to athletes with intellectual disabilities and related cognitive disabilities. More than 10,000 participants are involved from across Oregon. In Special Olympics programs, people with intellectual disabilities compete as true athletes. They gain self-confidence, social competency and other enhanced skills, both physical and social. Special Olympics is not only the world’s largest program of year-round sports training and competition for persons with intellectual disabilities, but is the world’s largest amateur sports organization. More than 3.7 million athletes participate in Special Olympics in over 170 countries around the world.
Special Olympics Oregon is a registered 501 c(3), non-profit organization supported by private donations from individuals, corporations and organizations throughout the state. Special Olympics is “the most credible charity in America” according to a survey in the Chronicle of Philanthropy.
For More Information
For more information about Special Olympics, please visit www.soor.
Portland, August 11th, 2013. It’s the third-largest community bike ride in the world with courses ranging from 13 to 36 miles. There are attractions along the way, like Portland Takohachi’s high energy Japanese drummers on the Marquam Bridge. Providence Bridge Pedal riders have the chance to cross of nearly every Willamette River bridge in Portland, many of which are usually off limited to bicyclists and pedestrians.
The Burnside Bridge offered a view of the “Portland Oregon” sign.
Bicyclists stopped on the top deck of the Fremont bridge to listen to the cellists.
Rick Bauman, who founded the ride in 1996, is pleased with the way it has evolved. In its first year, there were 7,500 riders; this year 18,000 took to the road.
A portion of the Providence Bridge Pedal proceeds supports community programs and initiatives that improve the health of our community. This year’s beneficiary is Play Smart Youth Heart Screenings.
Oregon City, August 9th, 2013. Rose Festival Queen Hannah Rice volunteered with Deena Jensen at the Portland Rose Festival Foundation Golf Tournament. Hannah is from Madison High School and caddies during the summer at Rose City Golf Course. She’ll attend University of Oregon this fall on a Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship. At the Stone Creek Golf Club, event Chair Darci Hansen welcomed 21 teams to the Festival’s annual links event which was presented this year by Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon. Proceeds benefit the mission based events and programs of the Portland Rose Festival Foundation. (Photo credit, Deena Jensen)
Justin Apmadoc – Local Sales Manager, Comcast Spotlight, Jerry Scott – President/CEO, Elmer’s Restaurants, Inc., Al Wiegert – Director of Sales, Comcast Spotlight and John Cordova – Director of Operations, Elmer’s Restaurants, Inc.
Patrick McCreery, KPTV/KPDX General Manager and Larry Adoff, KPTV/KPDX Research Director gear up for tee time.
From the Portland Rose Festival Foundation:
The Portland Rose Festival Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit dedicated to serving families and individuals and events that promote the arts, education, and volunteerism. The Foundation values environmental responsibility, diversity, patriotism, and our historic and floral heritage.
The Rose Festival Foundation annual auction will be on October 11th, at Montgomery Park. The theme is a Tailgate & Roses Dinner. More information is available at:
Portland, May 26th, 2013. It was a special night for the 200 attendees who raised $76,000 for Human Solutions‘ emergency shelter and housing programs for homeless families. The “Tonight’s the Night” gala was also a time and to celebrate Human Solutions’ 25 years of service to the community. (photo credit, Andie Petkus Photography) Lee Jorgensen, Pat Lando, Kim Wilson, and Dave Otte, all with Host Architecture; Sarah Zahn, Director of Housing at Human Solutions; Ted Zahn, and City Commissioner Nick Fish all joined in the celebration.
Carole Morse, PGE Foundation President and Community Investment Manager at PGE; and Deborah Peterson, assistant professor at PSU.
Carla Piluso, Human Solutions Board President, and entertainer Tony Starlight.
Tina Ensign, Human Solutions Board Member and guest speaker.
Excited bidder Cherie Siegmund, owner of Cedarglen Floral.
“Tonight’s the Night,” Human Solutions’ 25th anniversary celebration gala and auction, featured silent and live auctions, a buffet dinner, and signature cocktails. Guests boogied to live 70’s music provided by Tony Starlight’s AM Gold Band.The evening’s auctioneer was Jason Demicheli of Demicheli Benefit Auctions. Proceeds from Tonight’s the Night will support Human Solutions’ emergency shelter and housing programs that serve more than 250 homeless families on any given night, as well as the agency’s employment programs. For more information, visit www.humansolutions.org.
About Human Solutions
Human Solutions’ mission is to help low-income and homeless families and individuals gain self-sufficiency by providing affordable housing, family support services, job readiness training, and economic development opportunities.
Human Solutions has been helping homeless and low-income families build pathways out of poverty for 25 years. Our 245-mile service area in outer East Portland and East Multnomah County includes some of the highest poverty neighborhoods in Multnomah County. Last year, we touched the lives of more than 88,000 people. We offer services in four interrelated areas:
Prevention Services: Each year, we help over 7,000 households avoid having their utilities shut off and remain warm and safe in their homes by providing utility assistance. We also help over 440 households remain in their homes each year through short-term emergency rent assistance.
Direct Services to Homeless Families: We operate emergency shelter, transitional housing, “Housing First” programs, and permanent supportive housing. Acting on the belief that housing is a basic human right, we move homeless families into permanent housing as quickly as possible and then offer them the supportive services necessary to stabilize their situations and overcome their homelessness.
Employment and Economic Development Programs: Having a family wage job is essential to a family’s ability to overcome homelessness and be self-sufficient. Human Solutions operates three distinct employment and economic development programs that help more than 300 individuals with significant barriers to employment find family wage jobs and/or improve their job skills to increase their household incomes each year.
Affordable Housing: Human Solutions owns and operates 16 high-quality affordable housing complexes containing 608 apartments. At each property we offer Resident Services, which help families maintain housing by connecting them to quality social, educational and employment services (both within Human Solutions and in the wider community) so they can move forward in their lives. Last year, about 620 families, comprised of more than 1,900 people, resided in our affordable housing.
Stay connected. Sign up for Human Solutions’ newsletter. Click here, to notify our staff you would like to be added to our newsletter list.
Portland, OR, April 23, 2013. The local design company, 3%milk (threepercentmilk.com), announced the sale of a “PRIDE/STRIDE” Boston charity print, with all proceeds benefiting The One Fund of Boston. The One Fund was formed by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino to help the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred in Boston on April 15, 2013. It has received donations of over 20 million dollars so far.
“As a former Boston resident—with friends in the marathon and very near the Watertown shootings—I was compelled to create something to honor Boston and its spirit,” says Jennifer Prinzing, owner of 3%milk. “Being away from the city that I once called home and worrying about my friends, I felt the need to do something. Design is my language, so that seemed like one way to help.”
The charity print, in the iconic blue and yellow marathon colors, is a tribute to Boston’s city pride, marathon pride and how both of these will undoubtedly find their stride again, despite the tragedy of this week’s events. Prinzing runs the one-woman design shop and is hoping to be overwhelmed by the response. “I hope that I’ll be pulling all-nighters, printing and mailing these posters. I want to raise thousands of dollars for this cause. Even more, if possible.”
To learn more and purchase a 3%milk Boston charity print, go to threepercentmilk.com. About 3%milk 3%milk is a one-person design company located in Portland, Oregon. They create amusing recipe cards and other paper products and stationery, as well as custom work for clients. The owner, Jennifer Prinzing, has been designing professionally since 2002, working with clients like Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems, Reebok, barre3, Baxter, Abbott, RelayHealth, and countless small businesses. 3%milk believes in quality products, produced responsibly and with the earth in mind. They work with printers who uses 100% recycled papers, vegetable-based inks and renewable energy sources whenever possible.
Contact 3%milk Jennifer Prinzing PO Box 51633, Portland OR 97238 503 313 9792 available evenings and weekends [email protected]
Portland, January 31th, 2013. An after-hours event at Blush Beauty Bar lifted the spirits of Portland After School Tennis & Education (PAST&E) supporters. The event was hosted by PAST&E Board Member Judy Ma. She’s pictured with her sister, Julie Ma. Guests tried the latest skin, hair and beauty products and listened to Coach/Tutor Moe Dugan share the latest news regarding Portland After-School Tennis & Education. Here are some fun pictures.
Judy Ma and Blush Beauty Bar Owner Deborah Haynes draw the lucky winner for the raffle.
Guests having fun while learning and trying new products.
Leslie Servatius and Stacy Brice of Expresso Building Services
Blush Beauty Bar’s expert team.
Nancy and Noelle Sanchez
Colleen Moss with her daughter Haley. Haley is ranked #42 in the USTA Girls 16 Champs Division.
Raffle winner Julie Peterson with Judy Ma
Portland After School Tennis & Education (PAST&E) is a nonprofit whose mission is to create partnerships with families, schools, and volunteers to help at-risk K-12 students achieve academic and athletic success. We accomplish this through one-on-one academic tutoring, tennis lessons, a nutrition/fitness curriculum, parent education, and a “Best in Class” development program serving junior players who excel at tennis.
Founded in 1996 as an extended-learning program to introduce low-income children to tennis, we incorporated an educational component in 2007 to deliver a higher-impact experience. Through our extended-learning, summer, and enrichment programs, we impacted the lives of more than 1,000 at-risk children and their families in 2012 and have served more than 7,000 over time.
Portland, February 21st, 2013. The theme of the The Mittleman Jewish Community Center’s annual dinner was “Celebrating Champions.” The two inaugural Harry Glickman Scholar Athlete Award winners, Naomi Sherman and Isaiah Elder, posed with Harry Glickman (center). He’s the founder and president emeritus of the Portland Trail Blazers and member of the Oregon Jewish Hall of Fame and Oregon Sports Hall of Fame. (Photo credit, Elie Bulka, Oolite Photography)
The evening also included a tribute to special guest Steve “Rosy” Rosenberg, a local business leader, past MJCC president, current board member and longtime donor.
Honoree Steve “Rosy” Rosenberg with friends Dorothy Packouz and Ray Packouz, and mother Norma Rosenberg
Alan McMurtry, Former Portland Trailblazer Darnell Valentine, and Bill Frank take a moment between basketball shots for a photo together
Former Portland Trailblazer Darnell Valentine greets Senator Ron Wyden for some basketball fun at the MJCC
Senator Ron Wyden contemplates his first basketball shot of the night as a crowd begins to gather at the MJCC Friends of the Center Dinner
The honoree’s brother Lee “Rosy” Rosenberg chats with Former Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski at the MJCC
Ken Rait, Rabbi Michael Cahana, Cantor Ida Rae Cahana and Mary Rait spent some time catching up before dinner
With a nod to special guest Steve “Rosy” Rosenberg’s fun-loving Portland-centric approach to life, attendees enjoyed blender bikes (smoothies made with the power of stationary bicycle) and photos with Timbers players and Portland Trail Blazers. The Oregon Jewish Sports Hall of Fame was also unveiled at its new home at the MJCC.
About the Mittleman Jewish Community Center (MJCC): Founded in 1914, the Mittleman Jewish Community Center is a full-service community center that provides for the social, cultural, educational and recreational needs of the Jewish community. More than 1,000 individuals use the MJCC every day. Its facilities include swimming and aqua recovery activities, indoor soccer, basketball, cultural events—lectures, dances, dinners and the annual Jewish Arts Month—as well as a place to simply to relax with friends and family. The MJCC mission is to provide a gathering place for the local Jewish community as well as warmly embracing people of all faiths within its membership. The center strives never turn anyone away, regardless of their ability to pay, and provides hundreds of scholarships to those in need.
NONPROFIT BENEFIT TICKET GIVEAWAYS!
Sign up for our free weekly highlights for the chance to win two tickets terrific nonprofit events! If you "like" us on facebook, or sign up for our weekly news highlights, you'll be entered to win! Sign up today!
Look for another ticket giveaway soon! Are you a nonprofit looking to bolster your publicity with facebook and tweets? Email us and we'll run a contest with tickets to your event! [email protected]
