Mount Angel, OR. Oktoberfest organizers are planning to go ahead with their annual festival which will take place Sept 16-19. One big reason is to support 50 nonprofit food booths; many rely heavily on the income from Oktoberfest sales to fund their organizations. These groups garnered $750,000 in 2019, but in 2020 coronavirus restrictions made an in-person festival impossible. This year, Mount Angel Oktoberfest organizers say they’re currently monitoring the pandemic situation. “There are increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases. We don’t fully know how this will affect Oktoberfest as the festival is weeks away and changes are rapid. We are moving forward with planning a festival. We invite everyone to join us, we understand there will be some people who choose not to attend because of Covid-19. Many people are very excited to see the Oktoberfest return to a live event this year. We will follow the requirements given by the state and our local governing bodies.”
Large crowds typically gather in the small town in the Willamette Valley every September for this event, but coronavirus restrictions have made an in-person festival more complicated.
As far as logistics, they explain much of Oktoberfest is held out of doors, where the risk of Covid-19 transmission is reduced. The food booths are accessed by purchases made out of doors, the Prostgarten and Hopfengarten are tents. The Biergarten and Weingarten have very large outdoor tent areas. The Bandstand is open air. Kindergarten is an open field.
Entertainment is scheduled, but the U.S. did not open its borders to Germany on August 1st as was anticipated. At this time it is unlikely the musical group, Donaumusikanten, will be able to entertain.
Oktoberfest will be held Sept 16-19.
The Kickoff Party is Sept 11th
Wiener Dog Races are a highlight. These fierce competitors go head-to-head or perhaps head-to-tail. They line up in the starting box and tear down the race field.
From Mount Angel Oktoberfest:
The 56th Mount Angel Oktoberfest runs from Sept 16-19, 2021. Join us as we celebrate the “joy of being together again!”
This year’s festival will be full-on fun! Can’t wait to see you all in September.
There is no more appropriate setting for an American version of the “Old World” Oktoberfest than in Mount Angel, Oregon. The small community was settled by German pioneers in the 1800’s and readily reminds one of the lush Bavarian Countryside.
Oregon’s oldest and best-loved Oktoberfest began in 1966 as a traditional harvest festival to celebrate the bounty of the earth and the goodness of creation. It is the largest folk festival in the Northwest.
Portland, OR. Portland performing arts organizations have united to form a vaccine coalition for indoor performances. The move is aimed at enabling the return to live performances. The Portland Performing Arts Vaccine Coalition is establishing protocols to, “prioritize the health and safety of audience members, artists, staff, volunteers, and the community at large.” Members of the admissions staff at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, seen above, are receiving training for reopening.
It’s the first time in seventeen months many members of the admissions staff at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall have been together.
Event attendees will be asked to present proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before attending a performance.
The protocols below are in place to prioritize the health and safety of audience members, artists, staff, volunteers, and the community at large.
Vaccination and/or a Negative COVID-19 Test will be Required for All Attendees:
Again, event attendees will be asked to present proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before attending a performance.
For those not vaccinated, most organizations will also accept the results of a recent negative COVID-19 test.
Each organization will have its own procedures for communicating and upholding these protocols and sharing any other safety guidelines in place.
These protocols will change as things continue to shift. For the most up-to-date information, it’s best to check an organization’s website closer to your performance.
Vaccine and Testing Resources in Oregon:
Vaccines are the best way to stay safe! If you are not currently vaccinated, you can find out when, where, and how to get a FREE COVID-19 vaccine HERE.
Information about COVID-19 tests can be found HERE.
Lost your vaccination card? You can request a copy of your vaccination record HERE.
Members of the Performing Arts Vaccine Coalition Include the following:
More organizations will be joining in the weeks ahead. If you are a member of a performing arts organization — or other theater or live entertainment venue — and you would like to join the coalition, please contact [email protected].
Portland, OR. It had been almost a year since a major charity event took place in downtown Portland, but on August 8th, nearly 10,000 people hopped on their bikes for the 25th Providence Bridge Pedal. Rick Bauman, the event director, is pleased about pulling off the fundraiser despite the pandemic. In 2020 the ride was canceled and this year, precautions were put in place to keep participants safe. “I am satisfied with the COVID protocols we had in place and have received no reports of infections associated with the event or complaints from participants in that regard,” Bauman reports just under 10,000 registered. It is similar to the numbers in 2019 and 2018. “We did see the rate of registrations slow in mid-July as news of the COVID Delta variant increased,” he explained.
Along with Montreal’s Tour de l’Île, New York’s Five Boro Bike Tour and Chicago’s Bike the Drive, Portland’s Providence Bridge Pedal is one of the largest community bike rides in the world.
Providence Bridge Pedal is the one opportunity each year to enjoy the city’s best views from the car-free upper decks of the Marquam and Fremont bridges.
As is the case every year, there are rides for cyclists of all abilities: longer rides for the more experienced bikers, a family-friendly ride over the downtown bridges, and a free, 3-mile ride for the youngest cyclists.
On the second Sunday of August, each year about thousands of cyclists bike through the car-free streets of Portland. There are attractions along the way, like Portland Takohachi’s high-energy Japanese drummers and other musical acts.
From Providence Bridge Pedal:
Nearly 10,000 participants made the return of Providence Bridge Pedal’s 25th anniversary ride a very special one. Please plan to join us on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022 for Portland’s signature summer event, celebrating Portland, Willamette River bridges, and bicycling.
Registration and all the details about this very special event will available here in March, 2022.
Providence Bridge Pedal is a celebration of bridges and bicycling—a non-competitive, community bike ride over Portland’s Willamette River bridges.
Portland, OR. Five major health care providers are continuing their support of Project Access NOW (PANOW ), Project Access NOW clients are largely low-income, non-native English speaking, and identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color. Since 2007, regional health systems including Adventist Health, Kaiser Permanente, Legacy Health, Oregon Health and Science University, and Providence Health & Services have invested more than $35 million to support health-promoting services for the un-and-underinsured even through the pandemic. The nonprofit’s mission is connecting low-income uninsured people to donated healthcare services, its focus has expanded to include innovative initiatives and partnerships that go beyond simple healthcare to also address the social determinants of health.
PANOW holds regular vaccine clinics, especially serving those historically underserved by health care in Oregon. A recent vaccination clinic hosted by Project Access NOW took place at Hillsboro Parks & Recreation Senior Center.
Over the next three years, partners have pledged to contribute a total of $7.85 million, increasing their annual investment by over 55%. In a post-pandemic time requiring greater access to care needs, this targeted investment will support navigation for over 4,500 individuals between the region’s primary care homes and hospital systems, help 24,000 individuals enroll in Medicaid or another qualified health plan, and offset the cost of health insurance premiums for more than 1,000 Oregonians unable to afford their monthly expenses. In addition, these resources will leverage the organization’s outreach team, the majority of whom are bi-lingual and/or from immigrant communities, building on their trusted networks to address vaccine hesitancy and promote COVID-19 vaccination rates within the region’s culturally specific communities.
Project Access NOW is a Portland, Oregon-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization known for its collaborative and equitable approach to community-wide health improvement efforts, as well as its longevity. Since 2007, the organization has provided a one-of-a-kind space for cross-system collaboration. Major health care providers in Oregon have supported the organization throughout that time to promote work and positive impact in alignment with their Community Health Needs Assessments.
In more recent years, Project Access NOW has pivoted to support urgent and emerging community needs such as heightened enrollment during the rollout of the Affordable Care Act and partnering with regional public health to administer over $1 million CARES Act and Oregon Wildfire relief dollars. Carly Hood-Ronick, Executive Director of Project Access NOW, says: “We know the health care environment is changing, with legislation like Cover All People. We are committed to continuing to partner with our regional health systems to evolve and ensure all have access to the resources needed to achieve their best health.”
Jennie Leslie, MD, Board Chair says, “After having served on the Board of Project Access NOW for years, I see now more than ever that PANOW is the glue that holds our broken medical system together. With a new leadership team and strategic plan, we refresh our focus on our core mission: to provide a common space for our region’s health systems to work collaboratively towards quality healthcare for all.”
“We are proud to steward this historic investment in Oregon’s health care system,” says Hood-Ronick. “Over the past 14 years, Project Access NOW has provided access to health care, health insurance, and social resources for more than 60,000 Oregonians, most of whom come from our BIPOC communities. We are committed to promoting equity and to helping individuals better access Oregon’s health services – whether through individual needs or as advocates for systems-change alongside our partners.”
From Project Access NOW:
We partner with care providers, hospitals, clinics, and other community-based organizations to address the health care system’s limitations.
Our solutions work to connect the most vulnerable in our community to the care and services they need, helping them get healthy and stay that way.
Our Strategies
Connect low-income, uninsured clients to the donated primary and specialty care they need.
Pay health insurance premiums for people who qualify for coverage under the Affordable Care Act but can’t afford the expenses necessary to access their care.
Connect low-income people being discharged from the hospital to resources such as transportation, car seats, and temporary housing to help them get home safely and more easily access follow-up care.
Our strategies have a proven track record of success, as evidenced by the expanding list of partners and stakeholders who see the positive effects of our initiatives and value our contribution to community health.
Our Values: We share a collective responsibility as we strive to make each day and each action count in service of our mission through the following values:
Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity: We honor the fundamental value and dignity of all who we work with and serve. We strive to create an environment that respects and includes diverse perspectives, traditions and experiences. We commit to furthering equity throughout our organization.
Celebration: Our success depends on the contributions of each team member. We honor and care for one another as a community and celebrate our individual and collective accomplishments.
Flexibility and Resilience: We are adaptive and resilient as we encounter changing circumstances. We seek and embrace new ideas with enthusiasm and draw on the strength of our diversity for solutions that are enterprising and dynamic.
Transparency in Leadership: We listen with intention to understand, providing timely and open communication about organizational decisions. We strive to build an inclusive organization in which leadership actively seeks staff engagement and input.
Creativity and Innovation: As a growing organization, we nurture an environment where creativity, persistence, risk-taking, patience, caring, and the desire to contribute are encouraged and embraced.
Portland, OR. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the Autism Society of Oregon (ASO) to shift towards a virtual walk fundraiser rather than their standard in-person event. This year the organization is back in full swing for its annual Autism Walk fundraiser at Oaks Park in SE Portland on August 15th. The event will include a wide variety of fun activities for individuals with autism and their supporters.
ASO says the event will be “a family-friendly, autism-friendly community event celebrating the people we love on the autism spectrum.” Some of these activities include the half-mile walk that gives the event its namesake, a photo booth, a water display courtesy of Portland Fire and Rescue, and sewing/needlecrafts with PDX Stitch. Additionally, the nonprofit has partnered with several local groups and organizations such as Cosplay Characters for Kindness and Portland Ghostbusters who dress up as fictional characters and attend charity events for photos and to make attendees smile. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 concerns, the event will not include face painting as it normally would in a non-pandemic year. Those interested in attending the Autism Walk can register for the event to help raise funds for it here.
A group of people dresses as Star Wars characters hold the ASO banner at a previous event.
All funds raised for the Autism Walk will go towards ASO’s various programs and resources designed to support people on the autism spectrum. ASO aims to maximize the quality of life of Oregonians on the autism spectrum, guiding them towards self-determination and working to end societal stigmas against autism. Money raised at this event will be used to create further educational materials on what autism is, and resources for those on the spectrum and their families such as a sensory booklet and cookbook which can be downloaded off the organization’s website. In addition to informational resources, funding for ASO will also go towards the organization’s initiatives to directly support those affected by autism and their families, including the “take a break” and “take a breather” programs which put vouchers or tickets for activities or monetary funds into the hands of autistic Oregonians and their caregivers.
In addition to these programs, ASO also hosts workshops, classes, and webinars to educate Oregon about autism and how to approach it. Further, the organization has supplied its supporters with a directory of support groups for those with autism as well as a comprehensive list of scholarships and financial aid for autistic individuals to apply to. All of these helpful and informative resources can be supported by registering for the Autism Walk fundraiser this Sunday, the 15th from 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM. Registering for the event will also make those interested in attending eligible for a discount coupon on ride bracelets at Oaks Park, to be used at noon once the rides open. Ride bracelets for the event at Oaks Amusement Park can be purchased here.
A large crowd in attendance at a previous Autism Walk event hosted by ASO. The organization expects lower attendance in 2021 than in previous years due to COVID-19 concerns.
For other ways to support ASO’s mission, the organization has have a donation page on its website. If readers would like to attend other upcoming events hosted or sponsored by the organization, all upcoming events can be found within the Autism Society of Oregon’s event calendar.
Portland, OR. United Way of the Columbia-Willamette (UWCW) is expanding into a new area by supporting the Bybee Lakes Hope Center. A $1.2 million donation from UWCW will help expand the existing facility at the Jordan Schnitzer Campus. It’s a transitional housing facility run by the Oregon nonprofit, Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers. The funds will complete the renovation of the 155,400-square-foot Wapato Correctional Facility in the Port of Portland into a trauma-informed, data-driven transitional housing facility to support Portland Metro community members experiencing homelessness.
Helping Hands provides services to those experiencing homelessness who are, “ready to make sustainable changes to achieve self-sufficiency.” Referrals to the Hope Center are accepted from the registered community partners, listed at the end of this article. The Hope Center serves homeless men, women, and families with children. Participants must be ready to be clean and sober (even if today is day one), and they cannot be registered sex offenders of any class since the program also serves children.
Here are current photos of the facility:
UWCW has a history of investing in Oregon and Washington’s children and families through early learning and housing stability/safety net programs, facilitating the collaboration of community organizations and strategic grant making. Putting racial equity at the center of its mission, UWCW focuses where the need is greatest and identifies and implements the most effective solutions to build a more inclusive and equitable region where all families have the resources and opportunities to thrive.
“We know that housing stability is a key contributor to family resiliency,” says Cindy Adams, president and CEO of UWCW, who joined the Bybee Lakes Hope Center advisory board this week. “Our support of Bybee Lakes Hope Center will more than double the number of individuals who can transition from houselessness to having a more sustainable living environment. Housing stability is fundamental to positive education outcomes for kids and health and employment outcomes for individuals and families.”
Bybee Lakes Hope Center uses an innovative approach to houseless services with its trauma-informed, data-driven and person-centered practices. At the center, clients receive three meals a day, access to technology, gardens, playgrounds for kids and a customized Individual Reentry Plan, in addition to dorms for men, women and families and coming soon, an LGBTQIA+ Rainbow Dorm. Using proprietary software to track utilization of services, as well as gather each individual’s unique story to create a plan for them to work toward sustainable housing, Bybee Lakes Hope Center has proven the success of its individualized model for changing lives and is setting a nationwide standard.
This grant from UWCW will go toward additional amenities and services, including:
Dorms for men, women, families and LGBTQIA+
On-site dog kennel and dog run with volunteer veterinarian services
1.5-acre therapeutic garden with orchard, exercise paths and raised bed gardens
Two playground/play areas for children and families
Medical, dental, mental and behavioral health care
Professional kitchen with vocational training
Multiple classrooms
Crisis Management, case management and resource navigation
“With nearly 20 years of serving the homeless, Helping Hands has enjoyed a long-time partnership with United Way in several Oregon counties,” says founder and CEO, Alan Evans. “We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with United Way of the Columbia-Willamette through our work at the Bybee Lakes Hope Center at the Jordan Schnitzer Campus. This meaningful contribution will help ensure the long-term sustainability of this facility, so we can continue to bring hope to community members experiencing houselessness.”
United Way’s $1.2 million grant to Bybee Lakes Hope Center is made possible by a $20 million gift from MacKenzie Scott as part of the philanthropist’s first round of The Giving Pledge. The center opened in October 2020 after the land was donated by Jordan Schnitzer. The economic uncertainty of 2020 caused construction to be halted after one-third of the center was completed.
“Bybee Lakes Hope Center is a perfect example of different sectors, including government, nonprofit, and private philanthropy, stepping up to find solutions for one of the true challenges Oregon and the entire country are facing today,” says Oregon State Senator Betsy Johnson. “Now Alan’s vision for that innovative model is both being realized and expanding in Portland with this generous donation from United Way today.”
For 100 years, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette has been working to meet the needs of vulnerable families. No matter the crisis, we have always remained steadfast to our commitment to LIVE UNITED. Together, we’re helping our community recover, become more resilient, while building a more inclusive and equitable region where all families have the resources and opportunities to thrive. For more information and to get involved, please visit www.unitedway-pdx.org.
Portland, OR. Meals on Wheels People has introduced a new vehicle into its fleet – an all-electric van with a refrigeration unit powered by solar energy. The van was funded by a grant from the Portland General Electric (PGE) Drive Change Fund and was built by Lightning eMotors of Loveland, Colorado.
The Lightning Electric Transit Van is a zero-emission electric vehicle. The van is believed to be the first electric van deployed in the United States to have a fully functioning solar-powered refrigeration system, used to keep meals fresh for delivery. The refrigeration unit is powered by a 12-volt battery pack that is charged by the vehicle when the van is plugged in and by a solar panel when the vehicle is in the sun.
The refrigeration unit is powered by a 12-volt battery pack that is charged by the vehicle when the van is plugged in and by a solar panel when the vehicle is in the sun.
The PGE Drive Change Fund is funded via the Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Clean Fuels Program and is awarded annually through a competitive grant process. Meals on Wheels People received the grant in 2020. The PGE Drive Change Fund allowed Meals on Wheels People to purchase two electric vehicles and install electric vehicle charging stations at its headquarters in Multnomah Village, allowing staff, volunteers and the public to charge their vehicles while on location.
“Sustainability is part of our corporate culture and Meals on Wheels People is committed to reducing its impact on the environment,” said Meals on Wheels People CEO Suzanne Washington. “Converting to electric vehicles is just one step in our Green Initiative and helped us earn a spot on the list of 100 Best Green Workplaces in Oregon. We are extremely grateful to PGE for providing us the funding for our new electric vehicles and charging stations.”
The van will be used for the Meals 4 Kids, which serves qualified children and families within the City of Portland experiencing food insecurity and is funded by the Portland Children’s Levy.
Here’s a video about the program:
“We’re thrilled to support the Meals on Wheels People mission,” said Eva DeCesaro, manager of PGE’s Clean Fuels Program. “This electric van and charging infrastructure will contribute to the reduction of emissions not just for the wonderful people at Meals on Wheels, but for everyone they serve, and the larger community here in Oregon.”
To build the Class 3 vehicle, Lightning eMotors partnered with refrigeration manufacturer Volta Air, based in Canada, and solar-panel supplier Merlin Solar of San Jose, California. The van is capable of traveling delivery routes while maintaining cargo at refrigerator temperatures – all with zero emissions. Emerald Transportation Solutions of Fayetteville, Georgia installed the refrigeration unit, its battery pack, and insulation liner.
“Last-mile delivery of chilled food via electric vehicles is expected to be an emerging trend as more zero-emission vehicles are deployed,” said Bill Kelley, chief technical officer, Lightning eMotors. “Our engineering team worked very closely with Volta Air to assure seamless integration of this innovative battery charging and refrigeration functionality. It’s a pleasure to be able to deliver this innovative van to Meals on Wheels People.”
About Meals on Wheels People:
Meals on Wheels People has been changing lives, one meal at a time, since 1970. We provide more than a meal to thousands of older adults in the greater Portland metro area. Our service not only alleviates hunger and social isolation but allows seniors to live independently with dignity in their own homes. Aging in place reduces depression, falls, and hospitalization as well as the high cost of institutional care. For more information, visit mowp.org.
About Portland General Electric:
Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is a fully integrated energy company based in Portland, Oregon, with operations across the state. The company serves approximately 900,000 customers with a service area population of 2 million Oregonians in 51 cities. PGE has 16 generation plants in five Oregon counties, and maintains and operates 14 public parks and recreation areas. For over 130 years, PGE has delivered safe, affordable and reliable energy to Oregonians. Together with its customers, PGE has the No. 1 voluntary renewable energy program in the U.S. PGE and its 3,000 employees are working with customers to build a clean energy future. In 2019, PGE, employees, retirees and the PGE Foundation donated $4.3 million and volunteered 32,900 hours with more than 700 nonprofits across Oregon. For more information visit portlandgeneral.com/news.
Portland, OR. Bank of America is offering additional support for Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center’s vaccination efforts. A $150,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation will be used by the nonprofit to support infrastructure designed to better reach Oregon’s Hispanic-Latino populations, which have been among those hardest hit by the pandemic. Virginia Garcia offers health care at 17 locations across Washington and Yamhill counties. The grant is part of Bank of America’s ongoing efforts to support the equitable distribution of coronavirus vaccines in Oregon and Southwest Washington,
As families look to get vaccinated before going back to school Virginia Garcia will continue to host ongoing vaccination events across Washington and Yamhill counties, providing both first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at key locations such as school-based health centers and high schools.
As of July 26, 45.7 percent of the Hispanic-Latino population is vaccinated, according to state data.
“Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center relies on partnerships like the one with Bank of America to ensure vulnerable communities continue to have access to high-quality care – even during a pandemic,” said Stefanny Caballero, Virginia Garcia Memorial Foundation Interim Executive Director. “The investments into our community as well as the PPE donations they have provided have helped increase our ability to serve our Latino/a/x communities.”
This is the second grant the bank has awarded Virginia Garcia since the onset of the pandemic. In 2020, Bank of America awarded the nonprofit $100,000 to help it scale mobile coronavirus testing capabilities to prevent the spread of the disease. The bank’s partnership has also helped Virginia Garcia improve its distribution of language and culture-specific information about the virus to Hispanic-Latino communities.
“The historic, systemic challenges communities of color face have been compounded and accelerated by the pandemic,” said Roger Hinshaw, president, Bank of America Oregon and Southwest Washington. “We have a role to play in helping communities move forward. By directing philanthropic capital and resources to our local nonprofit organizations, we are helping address the most pressing needs while working to mitigate some of the disproportionate economic and health risks these communities face.”
In communities across the country, Bank of America also worked with local partners to provide resources — namely, personal protective equipment (PPE) in the form of face masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer — to vulnerable and underserved communities hardest hit by the coronavirus. In Oregon and Southwest Washington, the company supplied 255,000 masks to local partners serving those in need.
The latest local recipients of the bank’s PPE distribution efforts include Central City Concern, the Albany School District and the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla. The bank’s PPE donations build upon $2.7 million in funding distributed in Oregon and Southwest Washington last year as part of the bank’s local coronavirus relief and economic mobility efforts.
“Even though we are on the cusp of widespread vaccination, community partners continue to play a critical role in the face of ongoing uncertainty,” says Juliana Lukasik, Director of Public Affairs, Central City Concern. “As we work to help those experiencing homelessness and in need of our assistance, Bank of America has been an instrumental partner in our continued efforts. Being named as their Neighborhood Builder was a big boost for us. And their donation of critical PPE has allowed CCC to continue safely providing our counseling, housing and other support services at a time of unprecedented need.”
Thus far, Bank of America has donated more than 25 million masks, 160,000 eight-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer, and 4 million gloves to underserved communities across the country. These local investments are part of Bank of America’s $100 million global effort to address coronavirus-related challenges in local communities and are connected to its nationwide $1.25 billion, five-year commitment to address racial equality and economic opportunity.
From Virginia Garcia:
Virginia Garcia serves more than 47,000 people in the community each year. We have 18 clinics providing care in two counties. There are more than 60 languages spoken at the clinics and our more than 600 employees work every day to provide high quality, culturally-appropriate care to our patients.
We work hard every day to provide this kind of care, but we couldn’t do it without the support of our generous donors. Want to get involved but don’t know how? Check out our Friends of Virginia Garcia and Corporate and Community pages for more information.
From Bank of America:
At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. For more information on how the bank is supporting employees, clients and communities during this time, see latest updates here.
Portland, OR. Volunteers in Portland’s Forest Park are working to remove invasive species and reduce the possibility that a wildfire could spread quickly. The work also improves the forest ecology’s overall health. The risk of fire is higher this summer because of the hotter and drier weather City leaders have banned homeless people from camping in forested parks to both protect them from potential wildfires and prevent them from accidentally starting blazes during a summer of drought and record-breaking heat. At 5,200 acres, Portland’s Forest Park is one of the largest urban forests in the United States. The nonprofit that stewards Forest Park is announcing three events within the park, allowing visitors to safely engage with the park in new ways.
Forest Park stretches more than seven miles of Northwest Portland along the eastern slope of the Tualatin Mountains. The park is open every day of the year from 5am until 10pm.
The first of these events is “80 for 80,” which challenges the visitors of Forest Park to cover 80 miles of its trails before the deadline of August 20th. To participate, park-goers can download the Momento app to record miles and begin their adventures through the largest forested park in the united states— whether it be running, hiking, biking, or any preferred recreational method. According to Kady Davis, the Director of Communications and Corporate Partnerships, the ultimate goal of the Summer Adventure Series is to “engage with folks already recreating in park, build community, and bring people into FPCC community” to raise awareness for the work the organization does. Davis hopes that the events will inspire park attendees to “care more about Forest Park,” as “the more people who use, steward, and care for forest park, the healthier it will be for future generations to enjoy.”
In addition to challenging parkgoers to cover 80 miles of trail, 80 for 80 also intends to share the mission of Love Is King, a nonprofit whose mission Davis describes as “ensuring that people of all different colors, and values can feel safe in nature,” specifically targeting and encouraging the need of “freedom to roam safely” for BIPOC communities.
The other events of the Summer Adventure Series include a parkwide scavenger hunt which began July 9th and ends September 3rd, and a photography contest, which began on August 1st. Up until the end of the event on September 1st, photos of Forest Park’s gorgeous landscape can be submitted to FPC for entry in competition for a $500 prize package. These events all directly support forest park by signing up participants for the FPC newsletter and social media postings, raising awareness for what can be done to preserve Forest Park. Davis mentions that this spreads valuable information and educational resources, which promote visitors of the park to “learn more about what FPC is up to in their active stewardship work.”
Woman running on Forest Park’s Wildwood Trail. Photograph by Steven Mortinson.
Davis expressed that the largest and most significant undertaking in the organization’s current efforts to ensure the preservation of Forest Parks beauty is the Green Jobs Training & Internship Program. Started in 2020, the 12-month program intends to “train and recruit youth from BIPOC communities to get professional and personal development support to build a career in the conservation sector.” The program introduces FPC interns to a wide variety of green job experiences, seeking to “build out Oregon’s environmental workforce” through exposure to the diverse array of possibilities included under the umbrella of green jobs. As of Sunday, August 1st, FPC’s four current interns in the Green Jobs Training & Internship Program were taken on a trip to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge with Love is King as part of the program’s exploratory approach to learning about careers involved with protecting the environment.
One primary concern of the park this time of the year, as the effects of climate change continue to impact Oregon, is wildfire management. Davis remarked that “because of invasive species, prolonged drought conditions, and the steep slope” that the park rests on, Forest Park is highly conducive to the hazard of wildfires. To combat this threat, the FPC has released informational materials on how to keep the forest safe from fire, and has deployed programs to remove “flammable fuels and non-native species to protect the health of the forest.”
In an exciting development for FPC, the organization will receive additional funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through a donation to the city of Portland, specifically going towards wildfire prevention in Forest Park. “The funding will go towards “outreach and communications with neighborhoods adjacent to Forest Park,” Davis states, adding that “Many homes and businesses directly next to Forest Park harbor invasive species” which increase the park’s proneness to wildfires. The collaboration between FPC and the park’s neighbors to remove such species and raise awareness is crucial, as it not only reduces the chance of a destructive fire, but it prepares those nearby with a plan if one were to occur.
Those who wish to support Forest Park can contribute to FPC’s preservation efforts in multiple ways. The organization can be donated to online, or fans of the forest can volunteer to participate in park maintenance and its trail program. Signing up for The Summer Adventure series is another way the park’s visitors can engage with Portland’s largest outdoor recreation area. Davis made sure to note that ultimately, the goal of the event series is to “ to have fun, enjoy forest park, hopefully make some friends” and gain a greater appreciation for Forest Park’s beauty, as well as awareness of the FPC’s conversation work and what can be done to protect the city’s own lush forest for future adventurers.
Lake Oswego, OR. Saturdays through Oct. 2nd you’ll find thousands of locals meeting their favorite farmers in Millennium Plaza Park. The Lake Oswego Farmers’ Market is one of 123 farmers’ markets operating throughout the state, and each has its own local flavor. The Oregon Farmers Market Association works to give the community access to a wide variety of fresh, local, in-season farm products direct from the producer and to provide a centralized location for local producers to market directly to the buying public. It also provides an interactive map so you can find one near you: Click here for a map of farmers’ markets.
Many farmers markets across the state have adopted OFMA’s COVID-19 Pledge, which means they have created safe and essential marketplaces for local food shoppers.
Farmers markets provide families of all income levels access to nutritious locally and regionally produced foods. More than 70 Oregon markets accept SNAP benefits and other critical food assistance because we believe that fresh, healthy food is for everyone.
Farmers markets are small business incubators. Data recently collected by OFMA suggest that over half the vendors at a typical rural farmers market are brand-new entrepreneurs with less than three years of experience.
Check out highlights from OFMA’s 2019 Census of Oregon farmers markets.
Did you know…
…only $0.15 on the dollar goes to farmers when you buy food at a grocery store? Support your local farmers by shopping at the market, where they keep 100% of those dollars!
…customers at farmers markets have 15 to 20 social interactions compared to one to two at a grocery store? Farmers markets are great for their communities. Visit your farmers market this week and chat with your neighbors.
…farmers market food is WAY fresherthan food from traditional retailers? Farmers market fare averages half a day since harvest, compared to 13 days at a traditional retailer. That’s a delicious reason to support your local farmers market!
…the United States loses one acre of farmland every day? Support the vendors at your local farmers market to help keep working lands in production!
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]
