Portland, OR. Update: Nike and OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital put their annual benefit auction on hold last month when it was it was disrupted by troll bids. But the organizations were able to restart and all 17 pairs of the special-edition sneaker were successfully auctioned on eBay March 2nd – 7th. In total, the fund drive raised over $1.1 million. According to a collector’s company called Complex Sneakers, the shoes sold for an average of $33,239 per pair, with the highest selling for $52,900 and the lowest going for $22,523. It was a far cry from the over $2 million fraudulent early bid which shut down the auction.
“Without philanthropy like what we receive from Nike, its retailers and the Doernbecher Freestyle program, OHSU Doernbecher might not be able to open its doors to provide high-quality care to children across Oregon and the region,” says Dana Braner, M.D., FAAP, FCCM, Credit Unions for Kids chair and professor of pediatrics (critical care) in the OHSU School of Medicine and physical-in-chief for OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. “This support is vital. It not only saves lives today but will save and improve lives far into the future.”
Due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, instead of a range of shoes designed by children, Nike and Doernbecher settled on the “What The” themed Air Jordan 1. The special shoe was created using elements of Doernbecher Freestyle designs of the past. Unlike past years, the shoe wasn’t created for a wide release—instead, a very limited run of 17 pairs was produced.
“Featuring some of the most memorable elements from each of the program’s 14 previous Air Jordan sneaker designs, the exclusive Air Jordan 1 “What The” Doernbecher represents the teamwork, inspiration and creative spirit of the Doernbecher Freestyle program,” explained organizers.
Virtually Freestyle donor gifts, sponsorship and proceeds from an eBay auction – featuring 17 pairs of the coveted AJ 1 “What The” Doernbecher, and exclusive Doernbecher Freestyle apparel – raised more than $1.1 million to support OHSU Doernbecher. When coupled with a $1.8 million gift from Nike and its retail partners Shoe Palace, Sneaker Room and DTLR from retail sales of the 2019 Doernbecher Freestyle collection, the cumulative total raised by the Doernbecher Freestyle program is now more than $30 million.
All funds raised benefit OHSU Doernbecher patients and staff in a variety of ways, from the delivery and discovery of advanced clinical treatment to emotional support and advocacy that helps to lift spirits and spread hope.
Below are photos of the specific details of the shoes:
Sheridan, Air Jordan II Doernbecher (2007) A fan of paisley patterns, Sheridan came together with his Nike team to design and create a custom pattern just for him. Originally applied to the tip and quarter panel of his Air Jordan II, the iconic green paisley now makes a special appearance on the right shoe collar and upper of the AJ 1 “What The” Doernbecher. / Caden, Air Jordan VIII Doernbecher (2014) Caden’s reminder to “Be Brave” is prominently placed on the lateral collar overlay on the right Air Jordan I “What The” Doernbecher, and his flaming basketball graphic adorns the outsole.
Daniel, Air Jordan X Doernbecher (2013) Most prominent on Daniel’s original design was the camouflage pattern material that covers the shoe’s upper, and it shows up on the eyestay and under the shoelaces of this year’s shoe. /John, Air Jordan XIII Doernbecher (2015) John’s original design boasts a green and black color scheme inspired by the outfit he wore to OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital for the first time. His original vibrant green material makes a statement on the vamp of the right AJ I “What The” Doernbecher.
Donovon, Air Jordan XV Doernbecher (2018) A fan of Japanese anime, Donovon wanted his original Air Jordan XV design to represent him as a character in his own anime story. Suede dragon scales covered the shoe’s upper, while bright gold accents represented the hero’s armor. Both elements can be found on the AJ I “What The” Doernbecher’s right tip and shiny Swoosh. /Isaac, Air Jordan V Doernbecher (2012) Isaac’s Air Jordan V officially released on September 14, 2013, on what would have been his 14th birthday. The AJ I “What The” Doernbecher celebrates Isaac’s enduring spirit. The material from Isaac’s original design — which features glow-in-the-dark and black-light-activated elements inspired by his love of video games — is included on the quarter panel of the left AJ I.
Damien, Air Jordan VII Doernbecher (2016) Budding rock star Damien added a guitar pick patch on the foxing of his original design, inspired by his favorite guitar, and which includes his initials “DJP.” The patch appears on the left heel foxing of this year’s shoe. /Isaiah, Air Jordan IV Doernbecher (2011) The side quarter panel and cupsole of the right shoe features the green from Isaiah’s original design, which represents his perseverance through life’s ups and downs. /Jordan, Air Jordan VI Doernbecher (2009) This year’s AJ I “What The” Doernbecher right shoe features a metallic gold collar lining inspired by Jordan’s original design, and his icon “1” logo appears on the heel tab.
Cole, Air Jordan III Doernbecher (2010) Look closely at this year’s left shoe collar and outsole to find Cole’s favorite design element: a grid pattern which spells “C-O-L-E” in repetition. / Tony, Air Jordan I Doernbecher (2008) Tony’s original palm trees represent his favorite tropical place, while the angel wing pattern symbolizes everyone, including his family and the Doernbecher team, who supported him during his medical journey. These same angel wings are present on the heel foxing of the left AJ1 “What The” Doernbecher, and his bright yellow contrast stitching on the Swoosh represents the good times cutting through the bad.
Ethan, Air Jordan XIV Doernbecher (2019) The same vibrant, iridescent material on the quarter panel of Ethan’s original design appears on the vamp of this year’s left shoe. /Oswaldo, Air Jordan IX Doernbecher (2012) Leaning into Oswaldo’s “Little Chicken” nickname from his family, this year’s shoe brings his custom-etched, metallic gold and black feather pattern on the tip, eyestay and forefoot overlay.
Carissa, Air Jordan XII Doernbecher (2017) Carissa’s Air Jordan XII design was all spunk, loaded with references to food, pets and colors. That energy is reflected in her design’s wild, marbled pink outsole, which appears on the left outsole of the AJ I “What The” Doernbecher.
Sheridan, Air Jordan II Doernbecher (2007) A fan of paisley patterns, Sheridan came together with his Nike team to design and create a custom pattern just for him. Originally applied to the tip and quarter panel of his Air Jordan II, the iconic green paisley now makes a special appearance on the right shoe collar and upper of the AJ 1 “What The” Doernbecher. / Caden, Air Jordan VIII Doernbecher (2014) Caden’s reminder to “Be Brave” is prominently placed on the lateral collar overlay on the right Air Jordan I “What The” Doernbecher, and his flaming basketball graphic adorns the outsole.
Portland, OR. In February of 2020 Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announced a $10 billion commitment to funding scientists, nonprofits, and “others” that have made it their life’s work to fight climate change. Bezos discussed his plans with world leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron, as seen above. However, little was known about how the fund would work. Now environmental and philanthropy experts say they hope the Bezos Earth Fund’s announcement that it has hired an established nonprofit leader will bring a more coherent strategy and greater transparency to a little-understood philanthropic organization. The nonprofit has the stated goal of spending $10 billion by the end of the decade. Andrew Steer, who leads the environmental think tank World Resources Institute, has been tapped to be the first president of Jeff Bezos’s $10 billion Bezos Earth Fund.
Andrew Steer, who leads the environmental think tank World Resources Institute, says the Bezos fund plans to give all its money away in a decade.
Bezos had little to say publicly about the hiring of Steer. In an Instagram post, Bezos praised Steer’s “decades of experience in environmental and climate science as well as economic and social policy in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Africa.”
Steer on Twitter said Bezos intends to spend all of the $10 billion fund by the end of the decade on “scientists, [nongovernmental organizations], activists, and the private sector to help activists, and the private sector to help drive new technologies, investments, policy change, and behavior. We will emphasize social justice, as climate change disproportionately hurts poor and marginalized communities.”
Jeff Bezos explains his initiative: “I’ve spent the past several months learning from a group of incredibly smart people who’ve made it their life’s work to fight climate change and its impact on communities around the world. I’m inspired by what they’re doing, and excited to help them scale. Today, I’m pleased to announce the first Bezos Earth Fund recipients—16 organizations working on innovative, ambitious, and needle-moving solutions. This $791 million in donations is just the beginning of my $10 billion commitment to fund scientists, activists, NGOs, and others. We can all protect Earth’s future by taking bold action now.”
From Bezos Earth Fund:
Here are the Earth Fund grantees: The Climate and Clean Energy Equity Fund, ClimateWorks Foundation, Dream Corps Green For All, Eden Reforestation Projects, Energy Foundation, Environmental Defense Fund, The Hive Fund for Climate and Gender Justice, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Nature Conservancy, NDN Collective, Rocky Mountain Institute, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, The Solutions Project, Union of Concerned Scientists, World Resources Institute, and World Wildlife Fund.
The Bezos Earth Fund joins The Solutions Project to accelerate the transition to 100% clean energy and equitable access to healthy air, water, and land. The Solutions Project champions and invests in a climate justice movement that centers women and power-building organizations led by Black, Indigenous, Immigrant, and other people of color.
We know the people closest to the problems have the solutions but often do not have the funding to scale them or share their stories with the rest of the world. For example, pollution and climate change disproportionately impact people of color and women. Yet, only 0.6 percent of all foundation giving is targeted towards women of color, even though they are the very backbones of their communities, often solving several interconnected problems at once and creating solutions that benefit everyone. Their stories are not told in the media, where just 2% of clean energy news coverage last year referenced communities of color.
Portland, OR. Katy Fackler of Wells Fargo was honored with a Service Award at the Blanchet House virtual benefit for her committed effort to build and sustain a therapeutic beekeeping program at Blanchet Farm. (Beekeeping helps formerly homeless individuals heal from trauma, build sobriety, and gain self-confidence.) Fackler’s story was featured during the nonprofit’s virtual “Lend A Helping Hand Brunch” on March 7th. Blanchet House celebrated supporters of the nonprofit’s work to alleviate suffering and to raise critical funds for its services. The virtual event was open to the public and more than 250 people were in attendance. Notable guests included Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury and Commissioner Lori Stegman who were there to support the human services provided to the City of Portland by Blanchet House. $216,000 was raised to support Blanchet House’s meal, clothing, and shelter services that are provided free to those in need.
Alaska Airlines PDX employees were honored with a Fr. Kennard Award for their daily volunteer service during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Event honorees included the Jesuit High School community which received the Founders Award for their service in 2020. Students and faculty made more than 20,000 sack lunches to help Blanchet House meet the increased need for to-go meals.
Jim Christianson and Ed O’Hanlon received the Al Riley Award for their life of volunteer service to managing Blanchet House’s finances.
Speakers included a formerly homeless man, Jordan S., who found health and healing at Blanchet Farm while participating in the therapeutic beekeeping program. Jesuit Father Gary Smith gave an inspired blessing reminding everyone that their generosity is “a bridge of life” to those served by Blanchet House.
The goal of the new beekeeping program is to offer the men at the farm a productive activity that will build soft job skills, self-worth, and generate extra income for the farm. Beekeeping is a relaxing hobby that is beneficial to both those in recovery and the environment.
Here’s a video about volunteering:
From Blanchet House:
The event was supported by Presenting Sponsor Fortis Construction, Inc., Platinum Sponsor Agnes Petrusich Family, Gold Sponsors Alaska Airlines and SERA Architects, and other generous sponsors. Additional support of the event came from the B.P. Lester & Regina John Foundation and Ed Cauduro Fund of Oregon Community Foundation who matched gifts made during the special appeal. Next year’s event will celebrate Blanchet House’s 70 years of service to the community. Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to contact Brenda Ray Scott, CFRE at 503-241-4340 or [email protected]. A recording of the program is available online at blanchethouse.org/brunch2021.
Portland, OR. Edison High School’s March 6th benefit was an online night of game-show-themed fun. Math teacher Dan Keller shared laughs with students while highlighting Edison’s vital financial aid program.
Beforehand, Brilliance Benefit co-chairs, Tricia Wimmer and Diane Engelhard. Were up bright and early handing out goodie bags in preparation for the big event.
Edison President Mike Schwab with school teacher, actor, and friend of Edison, Kailey Rhodes, hosted the night of game-show-themed fun!
Guests heard a special thank you from guest and game show host, Richard Karn.
Here’s a video about the Edison experience:
This fundraiser supports Edison’s financial aid program, technology, and professional development.
Welcome to Edison High School, the only high school in Oregon and Southwest Washington dedicated to serving students with complex learning differences or learning disabilities. Our work here is powerful and profound: helping every student to reach his or her full potential.
As a small, private school, Edison High School offers an individualized curriculum that meets each student’s unique needs and maximizes the ability to learn. We also provide the emotional support that builds confidence and maturity. By empowering students with learning differences to experience academic success and personal growth, Edison does more than prepare teens for the future: it changes lives.
Portland, OR. The Portland Art Museum will have a phased reopening of the galleries following the second pandemic-related closure ordered by Governor Kate Brown in November 2020. Beginning April 10, the Museum will allow visitors access to all galleries, except the main special exhibitiongalleries andsome adjacent galleries. The entire Museum will open on May 5, giving visitors full access to all galleries including the highly anticipated new exhibition Ansel Adams in Our Time.
Due to pandemic restrictions, Northwest Film Center activities will continue to be offered virtually, and outside as part of the Cinema Unbound Drive-In. The Portland International Film Festival is underway now, with many online screening and program options. The Museum will also continue to offer ways to connect virtually with art.
“We are looking forward to welcoming back staff and visitors following months of closure. We believe that art, film and music are essential to our community and to our collective well-being,” said Brian Ferriso, Museum Director and Chief Curator. “I’m also so grateful for the support the Museum and Film Center have received from our staff, our members and other supporters during these difficult times.”
As a show of appreciation to members, the Museum will offer members-only days on April 8-9, and April 28 – May 2.
New, expanded hours of operation will be Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., including the Museum Store. Timed-entry tickets are required, which we recommend booking in advance because capacity is limited. COVID health and safety precautions, including mask-wearing, physical distancing, and staff wellness screening remain in effect. Tickets go on sale March 18, and will be released on a two-week rolling basis.
About Ansel Adams in Our Time
Ansel Adams in Our Time (May 5 – August 1, 2021), making its only West Coast stop at the Portland Art Museum, celebrates the remarkable artistry and visual legacy of the acclaimed American landscape photographer and educator. More than 100 photographs by Adams, from his earliest marketed prints to his world-renowned Western vistas, trace the artist’s development and maturation over five decades while pointing to his continuing influence on landscape photography today. Eighty images by artists working both before and after Adams, interspersed among his vintage prints, provide a deeper perspective on themes central to his practice, demonstrate the power of his legacy, and will spark critical conversations about the state of the American landscape in the 21st century. Organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and curated by Karen Haas, the MFA’s Lane Senior Curator of Photographs, Ansel Adams in Our Time draws from the outstanding Lane Collection of more than 6,000 American modernist photographs, works on paper, and paintings.
Organized by the Museum Fine Arts, Boston, and curated for Portland by Julia Dolan, Ph.D., The Minor White Curator of Photography.
Portland, OR. As mutual aid organizations all over Portland have arisen in response to the Black Lives Matter protests, nationwide police brutality, and the growing awareness of social justice activism, Brown Hope has taken strides in mutual aid efforts for Portland BIPOC. Founded in 2018, by Cameron Whitten, (seen above) with their mission directly informed by the needs of “Black, Brown, and Indigenous Portlanders” through trauma-informed activism, this completely volunteer-led organization is working within the community to make improvements for those historically marginalized communities in our city.
Co-founder of the Black Resilience Fund, Salomé Chimuku, speaking with an attendee of a July event where volunteers conducted in-person intakes and distributed funds to Black Portlanders in need. (Photo, Courtney Sherwood/OPB)
One of Brown Hope’s biggest achievements comes from their Black Resilience Fund program. Launched in the summer of 2020 with the goal of providing an immediate emergency funding resource for Black Portlanders, they successfully raised over $1 million in direct donations from 11,000 Portlanders in the short time frame of a single month. These funds are allocated as direct relief for BIPOC Portlanders, an admirable goal considering the financial hardship and trauma sprouting from this last year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since its launch last summer (8 months ago as of this article), their website donations tracker now sits just shy of $2.25 million.
As an intentionally multifaceted organization to deal with a multifaceted and complex community, Brown Hope has founded multiple other initiatives to build up our community. Power Hour is a weekly community discussion meeting in which participants can receive food, drink, and most notably, direct cash reparations of $25 (an interesting aspect of Brown Hope’s mission considering the rarity of active reparations). Featuring a 45-minute discussion based around local community happenings, news, and needs, they encourage white folks to come and participate and/or donate their time. Another is Brown Hope’s Black Street Bakery which provides work opportunities for Black Portlanders while offering the community delicious baked goods.
Brown Hope understands that community building requires mutual aid and a multifaceted outlook on what our community needs are. Further, they know that the only way to go about enacting real change is by offering an ear to the community you’re working within. Brown Hope is a “healing initiative” first and foremost. They understand that justice is a collective experience that requires all of us to put our best foot forward.
Our Mission Brown Hope is a community solution for racial justice, creating connection with Black, Brown, and Indigenous leaders through the heart, mind, and voice to inspire our collective healing.
Our Vision We envision a future where the truth about this nation’s long history of injustice is self-evident. We envision the survivors of this injustice taking the lead on change. We envision love as a lived, and collective, experience.
Organizational Values Truth Seeking Love Creating Always Resilient
Portland, OR. The Pittock Mansion is open to the public again and administrators say they’re hoping visitors will return. Associate Director Jennifer Gritt explains, “We are thrilled to be able to reopen to the public. The year-long pandemic and multiple closures have resulted in an 80% drop in Admissions revenue which has had a significant impact on the organization.”
Gritt says the staff has been reduced both in number and scheduled hours. The nonprofit has been able to take advantage of federal and state aid including a grant and the PPP loan program. “We hope we are moving past the need for additional closures to help stop the spread of COVID-19, and once we are confident we’ll be able to remain open, we will start the slow process of rebuilding. We have seen an increase in donation support which is much-needed as we work to bridge the budget gaps created by significantly reduced revenue.”
Pittock Mansion is supported by general admission, memberships, donations, grants, and museum store purchases.
In 2007, the nonprofit Pittock Mansion Society took over museum operations. The Society works in collaboration with Portland Parks & Recreation to operate and preserve the historic buildings.
The Pittock Mansion is a French Renaissance-style château in the West Hills of Portland. The mansion was originally built in 1914 as a private home for London-born Oregonian publisher Henry Pittock and his wife, Georgiana Burton Pittock.
Gritt explains, “While the pandemic and closures have been challenging, we are also learning a lot about what is important to visitors and the visitor experience. The limitations on the total number of visitors at one time and the socially distanced one-way path have resulted in a much more intimate and enjoyable tour of the Mansion. Visitors are able to spend some time and really take in everything the museum has to offer. We hope to be able to carry this forward into the future.”
Information about visiting the Pittock Mansion:
Built in 1914, Pittock Mansion tells the story of Portland’s transformation from a pioneer town to a modern, industrialized city through the history and legacy of one of its most influential families, the Pittocks. Saved from demolition by dedicated citizens in 1964, the Mansion and surrounding estate were purchased by the City of Portland and opened to the public as a historic house museum.
Current visiting guidelines: Face coverings are required when indoors and when around other guests or staff unless an accommodation for people with disabilities or other exemption applies. Face coverings are recommended but not required for visitors between the ages of 2 and 5.
Tickets are timed and must be purchased online. Please purchase before arriving. All transactions—both tickets and Museum Store—are credit card only. No cash. Exchange requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Members can reserve a time and check in with guests online using their Member ID number.
Entry and exit into the Mansion will be one-way and individual groups/parties will have a staggered entry from other individual groups/parties.
Maximum group size is limited to 10 people. Please note: there might be a short wait outside the Mansion before entry.
Six-feet distancing will be enforced in lines and within the Mansion and Museum Store.
Follow all capacity and one-way directional instructions throughout the Mansion and the Museum Store as stated by staff and signage.
Hand sanitizer will be available at main entrance and exit of the Mansion and Museum Store. Restrooms are also available inside the Mansion. We ask all visitors to follow CDC and Oregon Health Authority guidelines regarding handwashing and hand sanitizing.
Please refrain from touching surfaces and objects inside the Mansion and Museum Store (unless purchasing). Entry and exit from the Mansion and the Museum Store will be touchless.
There will be no access to drinking fountains within in the museum.
Elevator will be available for visitors with mobility issues but will be limited to two people per group. Visitors must be comfortable being in the elevator on their own. The elevator will be controlled by staff from the hallways on each floor. Other restrictions may apply.
Avoid visiting if you are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19, have been exposed to someone who has tested positive within 14 days, or have traveled to areas with known travel restrictions within the last 14 days.
Portland, OR. After four years of planning, Albertina Kerr is beginning construction on 150 low-cost housing units on the Gresham campus for Kerr caregivers and improved client care. (Above is an architectural drawings.) On February 17th, the organization had a virtual groundbreaking.
Once completed, this project will be one of the first and largest net-zero affordable housing projects in the Pacific Northwest producing enough energy to operate the entire building fully.
Albertina Kerr has been caring for Oregon’s vulnerable citizens since 1907, with services that have evolved over the years to meet community needs. Kerr offers short-term psychiatric care and community-based outpatient mental health services for children and teens. This also includes 24-hour residential group homes for children and adults experiencing an intellectual and/or developmental disability (I/DD).
In the virtual groundbreaking, guests were introduced to several community leaders who have been a part of getting the project off the ground. Joining the live stream to discuss the project were:
Ken Thraser, Albertina Kerr Emeritus Board Member, also spoke in the live stream about what this project could look like for other organizations as well, “This is kind of going to have a ripple effect. Not just for Kerr, but for the community, for other non-profits, for other organizations that will look at workforce housing as a strategy that they too could do.”
Albertina Kerr unveiled its Workforce & Inclusive Housing Project during a virtual groundbreaking, which can be viewed in the live steam video below.
During the live stream event, Albertina Kerr’s CEO, Jeff Carr, shared stories about the affordable housing project targeting low-wage human services workers and adults experiencing I/DD.
As Carr shared in the live stream, the idea for the Workforce & Inclusive Housing Project came to him after speaking with one of his managers in 2016. Carr learned that one of the direct care employees lived in a tent with her five children in Washington County. He also learned that some other employees were sleeping in their cars or couch surfing.
He immediately relocated the direct care employee and her five children to a hotel as he took time to think about this issue. After 48 hours, the idea came to him during an early morning run where later that day, he told his assistant that they were going to build housing for workers.
“Those who care for the most vulnerable in our community are the backbone of our social safety net. If they become as vulnerable as the people, they care for due to housing instability, our entire community is at risk,” said Carr.
Chief Program Officer, Derrick Perry, also spoke in the live stream about the project, “I’m just really happy to be aligned with an organization that cares so much about the people we support and our workforce, to where we’re launching this huge project.”
One aspect of the universally accessible units will be hydraulic upper cabinets as well as pull-out cooktops.
When completed in the spring of 2022, one hundred and twenty units of studio, 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments will promote greater workforce stability for low-wage caregivers (Kerr employees and others).
Throughout the complex will be an additional 30 universally accessible units for adults experiencing I/DD. These individuals face a shortage of quality, affordable, accessible housing and often earn 30% or less than the average median income.
Solar panels will be placed on the apartment complexes to produce renewable energy, adding another layer of affordability where residents won’t pay for utilities, including high-speed internet access. Once built and occupied, one full year of collecting energy usage data will be completed and certified.
From Albertina Kerr’s website: MISSION: Kerr empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health challenges, and other social barriers to lead self-determined lives and reach their full potential. VISION: All people thrive in nurturing and inclusive communities. VALUES: The values of our expert caregivers remain constant: compassion, commitment, collaboration, and advocacy.
Portland, OR. Portland Center Stage‘s annual gala, Metamorphosis, was held virtually on February 20th and raised over $315,000. 551 guests attended this online celebration of theater. Delphon “DJ” Curtis Jr. performed as Hedwig for a sing-a-long of “Wig in a Box” as seen above. (Video stills by Mikey Mann, courtesy of Portland Center Stage.)
The evening was emceed by Artistic Director Marissa Wolf, Associate Artistic Director Chip Miller, and auctioneer Johnna Wells. The event was also a celebration of the life of Diana Gerding, who died November 9th, 2020 and was one of PCS’s most ardent supporters. Below is a video about her life:
The program featured five performances, including a dance piece choreographed by Darrell Grand Moultrie and musical performances from Quinlan Shea Fitzgerald, Joe Kye, Edna Vázquez, Larry Owens, and Josh Kight.
Khalia Campbell performs a solo dance piece choreographed by Darrell Grand Moultrie set to Nina Simone’s “The Desperate Ones.” Video still by Mikey Mann, courtesy of Portland Center Stage.
Larry Owens performs Stephen Sondheim’s “Take Me to the World” for the 2021 PCS Gala. Video still by Mikey Mann, courtesy of Portland Center Stage.
Quinlan Shea Fitzgerald performs “Soar,” the song she composed for the 2021 PCS Gala, accompanied by Joe Kye. Video still by Mikey Mann, courtesy of Portland Center Stage.
Edna Vázquez performs the song “Lo que pasó, pasó” for the 2021 PCS Gala, with ASL interpretation by Sarika Mehta. Video stills by Mikey Mann, courtesy of Portland Center Stage.
From Portland Center Stage:
We were so thrilled and deeply grateful for the huge outpouring of support from our community. Thanks to the many supporters who bid on auction items, bought raffle tickets, and made donations — PCS raised a phenomenal $315,000!
The gala was the kickoff for Soaring Together, a fundraising campaign dedicated to making sure that PCS has the resources needed to soar back on stage as soon as it’s safe to gather for live theater. Donations of all sizes continue to be deeply meaningful to PCS right now. (The link to donate and the video we debuted for Soaring Together can be found at pcs.org/donate.)
Portland Center Stage 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. Portland Center Stage’s home is at The Armory, a historic building originally constructed in 1891. After a major renovation, The Armory opened 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. An estimated 160,000 visitors attend The Armory annually to enjoy a mix of classical, contemporary and world premiere productions, along with the annual JAW: A Playwrights Festival, and a variety of high quality education and community programs.
Portland, OR. The Susan G. Komen Oregon 7 SW Washington office will be closing its doors as of March 31st. Susan G. Komen national leadership announced in April 2020 that it would, “consolidate the entire affiliate network into One Komen to provide greater efficiency and effectiveness in its mission.” The pandemic accelerated making big decisions, according to Paula Schneider, Komen’s president and CEO for almost three years. The majority of revenue in the affiliate structure came through Komen’s signature walks and runs, which were canceled, postponed, or now held virtually.
For 29 years, Susan G. Komen has held its annual fundraising walk as seen above. It was a time when people shared stories, laughter, and tears while raising money that to help fight breast cancer. The Portland walk was one of the biggest in the nation.
Oregon & SW Washington affiliate leaders reflected upon the transition. “Collectively, we are incredibly proud of the work we have completed in the last 29 years. In that time, we have built a strong and loyal family of supporters in the fight against breast cancer; raised $35 million for programs that prioritize the importance of improving breast health and building on the quality of life for breast cancer patients; and funded local cutting-edge research.”
The organization closed its physical office space in downtown Portland and began to work remotely at the start of the pandemic. Last fall, Komen Oregon and SW Washington learned all operations – programs, services, fundraising, marketing, technology, accounting would be managed in Dallas, Texas. The nonprofit is integrating its 65 affiliates into a single national organization.
Susan G. Komen Oregon and SW Washington explains, “We remain steadfast in our focus to provide for our local breast cancer community through the funds we have raised here. As our legacy programs transition, we will give over $200,000 to community partners to either continue the work we began or to further enhance their work.
“We know this change is upsetting; we deeply empathize with you,” Susan G. Komen Oregon and SW Washington CEO, Andrew Asato, said. “This organization has been a place of support, friendship, and family during some of the hardest times in our lives, and it is with a heavy heart that we deliver this news.”
Susan G. Komen Oregon and SW Washington offer a local resource for women who need assistance with breast cancer screening, diagnostic, treatment, and support services. Through annual events, including the More Than Pink Walk and individual contributions, the organization raises funds supporting their programs in their service area (all 36 counties in Oregon, and Clark, Cowlitz, and Skamania counties in Washington).
For nearly three decades, the organization has built a strong and loyal family of supporters in the fight against breast cancer. “We’re proud that we’ve invested $35 million into local programs and services to the rest of the community,” said Asato.
As Susan G. Komen Oregon and SW Washington transition, they remain in communication with community partners and will be giving over $200,000 to continue the work the organization started or advance their own work further. Below is a list of the community partners receiving these funds (some are still currently being finalized):
The closure of Susan G. Komen Oregon and SW Washington and other U.S. locations will impact thousands of women, men, and families relying on the foundation for support. According to Asato, by consolidating regional locations into “One Komen,” the organization aims to provide consistent services to all breast cancer patients across the country.
National programs will still be accessible by visiting Komen. Org where more information is available about “One Komen” services. If any questions remain, Susan G. Komen Oregon and SW Washington can be reached by email at [email protected].
From Susan G. Komen Oregon and Washington website: Save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.
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