Oregon City, OR. There’s an update on the plans for a special Riverwalk along the Willamette Falls in Oregon City. Details were provided by Andrew Mason, the Executive Director of the Willamette Falls Trust. He explained that when the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde purchased the former Blue Heron mill located adjacent to Willamette Falls last August, the news was welcomed by the Willamette Falls Trust which is spearheading the revitalization of the falls including the Willamette Falls Riverwalk project. (Tribe members have taken ceremonial fish at the falls for years.)
The Tribe has since applied for $975,000 in grants to assist with site assessments and clean up, and they are working with local architecture and landscape design firms to create a future vision for their property. Their land purchase and the results of Willamette Falls Legacy Project’s detailed cost estimating also sparked new thinking around what could be accomplished during the Phase One portion of the project.
After purchasing the property, Grand Ronde proposed an alternative approach to Phase One. If feasible, it would include a riverside path to a scenic overlook of the Falls, which differs from the previous plan to route people through the former mill. A focus of the proposal is to increase public safety during any construction happening on Grand Ronde’s property. It would also provide more opportunities to view the river along the way to the Falls overlook. Phase One of the Riverwalk still aims to restore habitat along the riverbank and prepare the site for future phases of construction.
The groundbreaking schedule initially planned for 2020, has shifted to accommodate looking into this opportunity. Project partners—Oregon City, Clackamas County, Metro and State of Oregon—will consider the proposal after the Grand Ronde team completes the design and construction cost estimate.
Andrew Mason explained, “We continue to receive unprecedented community and financial support. While additional funds will be needed to get us to the finish line on this visionary project, we’re grateful for the continued donations and volunteer hours given, including more than $7 million from donors within and outside our community, as well as $20 million from the passage of Metro’s parks and nature bond measure in November.”
Willamette Falls has always been the cornerstone Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde tribal culture. In 2018 the Grand Ronde Tribe received a permit from the Oregon Department of State Lands to construct a fishing platform on state lands at Willamette Falls.
The scaffold allows the Grand Ronde Tribe to safely harvest ceremonial fish at Willamette Falls at the time of year when their ancestors historically took the first fish from the Falls. The Tribe has taken ceremonial fish at the falls for the past three years.
Our mission is to champion and sustain a world-class Willamette Falls experience that offers year-round access to the grandeur of the Falls, historic and cultural interpretation, healthy habitat, public open spaces, and that showcases the hospitality of historic Oregon City.
Willamette Falls Trust is the organization bringing people and communities together to make the new vision for a world-class public space along the Willamette River in Oregon City, Oregon a reality.
We are raising the funds and creating the partnerships to support the first phase of transformation, which includes an overlook at the precipice of the Falls, a connection to Oregon City’s downtown, and opportunities to explore history.
We work closely with Willamette Falls Legacy Project—the public-sector collaboration that kick-started this work—and others, as we steward the collective vision for Willamette Falls. The project has the support of Governor Kate Brown, state legislators, local and regional council members—and has been designed with input from thousands of Oregonians.
Portland, OR. The Oregon Food Bank was one of six Oregon nonprofits that benefited from the generosity of First Tech Federal Credit Union. Members, employees and the community came together for the annual signature ‘Season of Giving’ campaign in December. First Tech launched its annual giving campaign seven years ago to illuminate the collective impact people and organizations can make when working together.
Through in-branch and online voting in Oregon, Washington, California and beyond, First Tech employees, members and the community played a role in allocating funds and employee volunteer hours. More than $200,000 and thousands of volunteer hours went to support 43 nonprofit organizations.
“There is no better way to end the year than by bringing our employees and members together to give back to the communities we serve,” said Greg Mitchell, First Tech President and CEO. “We’re proud to support so many organizations that are dedicated to creating stronger, healthier communities with our ‘Season of Giving’ campaign as well as through additional philanthropic efforts throughout the year.”
Front runners in the ‘Season of Giving’ voting campaign include Oregon Food Bank ($24,500), going beyond providing fresh, healthy food to Oregon families by championing self-reliance through nutrition programs.
“At Oregon Food Bank, we believe we can build resilient communities that never go hungry,” said Susannah Morgan, CEO. We are thankful for our early and long-standing partnership with First Tech Federal Credit Union in creating an Oregon without hunger.”
Other nonprofit recipients in Oregon included OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. (Portland), SMART Reading (Portland), Marion-Polk Food Share (Salem), PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend (Springfield) and FOOD for Lane County (Eugene).
By focusing on nonprofits working to improve the health and education of children and families, First Tech is committing to building a legacy of impact so communities can thrive for generations to come.
Additional partners supported through First Tech’s ‘Season of Giving’ campaign include the following organizations, among many others throughout and beyond the country:
California: UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital-Oakland ($23,320), Boys and Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley ($9,160) and Valley Verde ($9,160)
First Tech Federal Credit Union is committed to supporting the next generation of leaders, thinkers and innovators. In 2018, First Tech provided$3.2 million in charitable giving and more than 35,000 employee volunteer hours to the community; directing dollars and time to nonprofit partners who provide programs and services to children and families in need. First Tech’s philanthropic focus areas include support for education (STEM, early childhood literacy and financial education), research (Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and supportive health services for children) and innovation (food, shelter and safety). Visit firsttechfed.com/community to learn more about the ways First Tech pays it forward throughout the year.
First Tech Federal Credit Union is a $12+ billion institution headquartered in San Jose, California. It is the nation’s premier credit union serving the world’s leading technology-oriented companies and their employees, including HP Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Microsoft, Agilent, Intel, Cisco, Amazon, Nike, Intuit, Google, and more. First Tech is recognized as the industry catalyst for delivering effortless banking experiences to more than 620,000 members through its 41 branch locations, more than 5,600 CO-OP Shared Branch locations, 30,000 CO-OP Network ATMs, and online platforms. First Tech offers a full range of financial services, including traditional banking, online banking, mortgages, financial planning, various consumer loans, and insurance services. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender. For more information, visit w ww.firsttechfed.com.
Gladstone, OR. The Children’s Course golf program is growing and offering more opportunities for at-risk kids. Construction is underway on a new learning center which will expand after-school mentoring services to underprivileged kids who love golf. The Executive Director of the nonprofit, Marti Loeb, says over the past three years the course has experienced 33% growth in the number of rounds played and last year alone 6,200 were played. The course offers a variety of options for kids to play golf and is particularly focused on bringing the game of golf to underprivileged, at-risk, low to moderate-income and special needs youth.
In addition to open play for kids, the Children’s Course offers six specialized programs including a Girls Golf Program which offers opportunities for girls to be introduced to the game and explore an interest in a setting that promotes positive and comfortable learning with other girls. That program is sponsored by the LPGA-USGA.
The Children’s Course is located between the Clackamas and Willamette Rivers in Gladstone. It originally opened for play as Rivergreens Golf Course in 1961 as an 18-hole, par 3 course. In 1989, following the development of apartments on the perimeter, the course was redesigned into a 9-hole, par 3 course. Then in 1996 Children’s Course founder, Duncan Campbell, launched the program hoping to use golf to provide positive youth development.
The Children’s Course eventually partnered with the national organization, The First Tee and has embraced its Core Values: to impact the lives of kids ages 4-18 by providing learning facilities and educational programs. The game of golf helps to instill integrity and make people of rich character.
The mentor program was designed to provide leadership and role models for kids who may not have ready access to personal guidance. Mentors believe, “The program produces tangible results—participants get help in applying to colleges and technical schools. The game of golf affords a holistic learning experience that teaches interpersonal skills, sportsmanship, etiquette, self-control, mental discipline as well as physical skills. Students learn to be responsible and develop a sense of judgment as they evaluate actions and their consequences.”
The Children’s Course also offers adaptive exposure clinics to participants of area school districts with varying degrees of mental use cognitive or intellectual disabilities.
From The Children’s Course:
The Children’s Course is a non-profit and is funded by private donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals. The golf course is home to the First Tee of Greater Portland, which provides young people with character-building and life skills lessons using golf as the platform.
We are focused on the personal growth of each child who enters the program. We are there to help each child recognize their potential. We help develop positive, contributing members to our community.
Join us for our annual gala! Here’s the information:
16th Annual Wine & Golf Ball Gala Wednesday, April 15th Hilton Portland Downtown – 921 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97204 Benefiting: The Children’s Course/The First Tee of Greater Portland 19825 River Rd. Gladstone, OR 97027 Tax id: 93-1212530
Portland, OR. These are the renderings for plans to turn the Wapato facility into a place called the Bybee Lakes Hope Center (BLHC). Owner, Jordan Schnitzer and the nonprofit Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers are hoping to transform the never-occupied, 155,000 square foot Wapato Corrections Facility into a trauma-informed, transitional housing facility to support Multnomah County community members experiencing homelessness. The Helping Hands organization has been successfully providing transitional housing since 2002. The organization has grown to include eleven facilities in four Oregon counties. Now it’s taking on Wapato.
Photos from Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers. Credit: Designer Stuart Emmons, Artist Craig Holmes.
Photos via Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers. Credit: Designer Stuart Emmons, Artist Craig Holmes.
The 15-year-old Wapato Jail – about 20 minutes northwest of Portland – has never been used. The $58 million facility was built as a prison in 2004, but never opened. On October 10th, Facility owner Jordan Schnitzer said the building would be demolished in the next few months unless political leaders could come up with a way to use it. In December, the Helping Hands plans for the facility were announced.
Helping Hands was founded by Alan Evans, who was homeless for over 25 years. Evans started Helping Hands to give other homeless people what he himself had needed: a helping hand to a sustainable life.
Jordan Schnitzer, (fourth from right) has said in the past he’s willing to invest $1 million to help Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers run a reentry program and emergency shelter out of the facility, but $2 million to $3 million is still needed to launch the operation.
For more information about the fundraising effort, here is a link to the program:
Portland, OR. What a year! PortlandSocietyPage.com has featured over 500 local nonprofits in 2019. Those admirable organizations have raised millions of dollars for worthy beneficiaries. It’s our privilege to be the top nonprofit news resource for local charities and the supporters who love them! Did you miss any stories? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter by CLICKING HERE! Have a great idea for 2019? Contact Editor & Publisher Elisa Klein, at [email protected].
So…here’s the list of the top ten most viewed stories (in reverse order to build your suspense) on PortlandSocietyPage.com during 2019.
Portland, OR. 270 guests raised $216,000 to support the PTC of Riverdale Grade School and Riverdale High School at its 007-themed gala. Parents Heather Burton, Niki Seawright, Wendy Domreis, Wendy Tolls & Kristen Best enjoyed the Casino Royale theme. The benefit on February 23rd was held at The Redd on SE Salmon Street. Nearly $70,000 will be passed through directly to the schools to help fund a “Let’s Play” paddle raise initiatives such as playground updates at the Grade School and new activity/athletic van and a Freedom Climber for the gymnasium at the High School. Read More
Portland, OR. More than 500 people attended the annual Oregon Museum of Science and Industry’s (OMSI) Gala to support efforts to spread science education across the Pacific Northwest. Governor Kate Brown, Piper Park, Kathy Rudd and Pat Reser were on hand for the May 4th gala. The benefit, which took place at OMSI, grossed more than $1.5 million through sponsorships, ticket sales and an auction, making it the nonprofit museum’s most successful event to date. This year’s gala, titled ‘Diamond Jubilee,’ commemorated OMSI’s 75th anniversary. Read More.
Portland, OR. Over 600 guests including current parents, alumni, past parents and friends enjoyed a festive evening at Jesuit High School’s 51st Annual Auction: Jazz Night in New Orleans. The Knight Center was transformed into a jazz club with music, Creole cuisine and colorful décor. Auction Chair Katherine Kreutzer, Major Program Director Anne Robinson, JHS President Tom Arndorfer, Auction Co-Chair Mary Murphy celebrated at the festive evening on May 4th. This year’s auction exceeded expectations with over $1,045,000 raised. Read More
Portland, OR. Drawing a record 450 guests, Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare’s 2019 Transformation Gala raised nearly a quarter million dollars in support of the nonprofit’s whole health care and outreach services. Attendance was the highest in the Gala’s three-year history, growing by 100 supporters over last year. Lisa Oyler, Chiki Nussbaumer, Gayathrai Ramprasad, Toc Soneoulay-Gillespie and Tamara Pedrojetti were among the hundreds who enjoyed the night. Read More.
Portland, OR. The Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) raised $1.27 million at its 19th annual Wonderball gala on September 28th. It was CCA’s biggest event of the year, which helps fuel its mission to prescribe joy to seriously ill children through free innovative programming that leverages music, friendship and nature. Founder Regina Ellis, who is pictured with friends and family, welcomed more than 950 supporters to the Oregon Convention Center for the gala. A Joie de Vivre theme celebrated French culture and the joy of life. Read More.
Portland, OR. DoveLewis has been selected as one of seven 24-hour animal hospitals that will be featured in a live National Geographic TV show called Animal ER Live. The series starts on Saturday, March 30th and will air from 6 to 8 p.m. Show creators promote the program, writing: “Be just a heartbeat away from the action as the team at DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital, the Northwest’s nonprofit 24/7 animal hospital, treats animals in the midst of emergencies on Nat Geo WILD’s new live TV series, Animal ER Live.” Read More.
Portland, OR. Starting on February 7th, more than 100 illuminated installations, artists, performers, interactive activities, and events will brighten the Portland cityscape for the 2019 Portland Winter Light Festival (PDXWLF). This free annual program of the nonprofit Willamette Light Brigade is expanding to its largest footprint yet. Read More.
Portland, OR. Eight hundred guests gathered for the 35th Annual Classic Wines Auction and raised $3 million dollars for five nonprofit partners. This brings the total raised, over 35 years, to nearly $50 million. The benefit was at the Oregon Convention Center on March 2nd. The nonprofit beneficiaries this year were: Metropolitan Family Service, New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children – Portland, YWCA Clark County, and Unity Center for Behavioral Health. (Photo credit, John Valls) Read More.
Portland, OR. More than 350 supporters joined forces for Portland Opera’s Flora + Fauna Fall. The September 14th benefit, at the Sentinel Hotel featured a performance by Broadway star Sutton Foster. Portland Opera raised over $1 million dollars. Organizers say proceeds from the Flora + Fauna Fall Ball will strengthen Portland Opera’s ability to serve audiences throughout the region, by supporting operational costs as well as special programming and projects. (Photo credit, Garrett Downen) Read More.
Portland, OR. This December will mark the 65th launch of the Christmas Ships Parade season. Parades on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers will last for 15 nights beginning on Thursday, December 5th through Sunday, December 22nd. There are seven nights where the fleet with be combined. Read More.
Well, there you have it, the top 10 Portland Society Page stories of the year. Society Page is a free community platform where you can make a difference. If you enjoy reading our positive news about the great things happening in our area, you can help and here’s how:
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Portland, OR. American Cancer Society’s Hope Gala was held at the Oregon Zoo’s Cascade Crest Ballroom. The November 9th benefit had a travel theme and featured a silent auction, cocktails, dinner, speakers, a live auction and entertainment. The funds raised at the Portland Hope Gala will benefit cancer research as well as the quality of life programs that remove barriers and provide resources and information to those battling cancer.
Steve Orozco of Fred Meyer Jewelers and the Hope Gala Hype Squad celebrate Steve’s Golden Ticket prize. (Photo credit, BarcStone Photography)
Portland Hope Gala guests enjoy their VIP reception featuring entertainment by Hula Halau ‘Ohana Holo’oko’a. (Photo credit, Aperture Vision Photography)
Portland Hope Gala guests enjoy mobile bidding during the silent auction at the Oregon Zoo. (Photo credit, BarcStone Photography)
From American Cancer Society:
At the American Cancer Society, we’re on a mission to free the world from cancer. Until we do, we’ll be funding and conducting research, sharing expert information, supporting patients, and spreading the word about prevention. All so you can live longer — and better.
Whether we’re working in a community near you or one halfway around the world, our mission remains the same: to save lives. See what we’ve been up to lately — and get to know the American Cancer Society a little bit better
Portland, OR. “JDRF is the world’s largest nonprofit funder of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our focus is on finding a cure; until we do, the advancements we’re making every day ease the burden of those living with the disease.” That’s the message the JDRF of Oregon/SW Washington wants you to hear. It offers many programs to support the community, like youth art groups for kids with T1D.
Summer Art Group is just one of the offerings of the local nonprofit, others include advocacy, outreach and research advancements.
JDRF has been leading the charge against diabetes for 25 years and leaders want you to be a part of their anniversary celebration. There are many ways to become involved and contribute to JDRF of Oregon/SW Washington. One is to support JDRF’s ticket sales for the VIP Sneak Peek at the Portland Auto Show on February 19th, 2020 at the Oregon Convention Center. You’ll see 600 of the best production, exotic and concept vehicles 2020 has to offer. $100 of your $125 ticket will benefit JDFR.
Last February many JDRF supporters took advantage of the Charity VIP event. They were among the first to attend the Portland International Auto Show, minus the crowds. JDRF is one of the 8 Charities who benefited.
The annual JDRF Hope Gala is another way to celebrate and support the nonprofit.
Here’s information about the 2020 Hope Gala: On April 25th, 2020 the annual JDRF Hope Gala will bring together over 500 passionate community leaders and T1D leaders at the Sentinel Hotel to reflect on the past 25 years and to raise much-needed funding for fulfill JDRF’s mission of improving lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat type 1 diabetes and its complications. Click here for more information about the event.
JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our strength lies in our exclusive focus and singular influence on the worldwide effort to end T1D.
Vision: A world without type 1 diabetes
Mission: Improving lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications
Why we fight type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that strikes both children and adults suddenly. It has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There is nothing you can do to prevent it. And, at present, there is no cure.
In T1D, your pancreas stops producing insulin—a hormone the body needs to get energy from food. This means a process your body does naturally and automatically becomes something that now requires your daily attention and manual intervention. If you have T1D, you must constantly monitor your blood-sugar level, inject or infuse insulin through a pump, and carefully balance these insulin doses with your eating and activity throughout the day and night.
However, insulin is not a cure for diabetes. Even with the most vigilant disease management, a significant portion of your day will be spent with either high or low blood sugar levels. These fluctuations place people with T1D at risk for potentially life-threatening hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic episodes as well as devastating long-term complications such as kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, blindness, and amputation. Learn more about T1D.
JDRF wants a world without T1D
JDRF works every day to change the reality of this disease for millions of people—and to prevent anyone else from ever knowing it—by funding research, advocating for government support of research and new therapies, ensuring new therapies come to market and connecting and engaging the T1D community. Founded by parents determined to find a cure for their children with T1D, JDRF expanded through grassroots fundraising and advocacy efforts to become a powerhouse in the scientific community with dozens of U.S. locations and six international affiliates. We’ve funded more than $2 billion in research to date and made significant progress in understanding and fighting the disease. We must keep up the pace of funding so progress doesn’t slow or stop entirely.
You’re the reason for our success.
Every dollar we put toward research comes from donations. So when you support JDRF with your time, talent, voice and, yes, your money, you enable us to advance even more research.
There are many ways to join the JDRF family, but for 47 years there has been only one reason—because we are the organization that will turn Type One into Type None.
We have some of the best ratings for an organization focused on a single disease from charity watchdog groups and media. In 2012, Forbes named JDRF one of its five “All-Star” charities, based on its evaluation of our financial efficiency.
What’s in a name? A bit of “JDRF” history
JDRF has led the search for a cure for T1D since our founding in 1970. In those days, people commonly called the disease “juvenile diabetes” because it was frequently diagnosed in, and strongly associated with, young children. Our organization began as the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Later, to emphasize exactly how we planned to end the disease, we added a word and became the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Today, we know an equal number of children and adults are diagnosed every day—approximately 110 people per day. Thanks to better therapies—which JDRF funding has been instrumental in developing and making available—people with T1D live longer and stay healthier while they await the cure. So a few years ago, we changed our name to JDRF:
To remove the misconception that T1D is only a childhood disease
To acknowledge that nearly 85 percent of people living with the disease are over age 18
To reinforce our commitment to funding research that improves life for people of all ages and all stages of the disease
*This informational feature story is a sponsored story from Portland Society Page.
Portland, Or. The Girl Scouts of Oregon and SW Washington are working hard to help shape America’s future leaders. Now leaders say they could use your help with their year-end giving campaign. They need funding for programs like the organization’s upcoming annual meeting in Eugene. At the annual meeting, the Girl Scouts of Oregon will be offering, “Speak Up, Stand Up, Rise Up” an activity exploring the significance of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution 100 years ago. Girl Scouts will learn about the history of the fight for women’s right to vote, including how the Amendment discriminated against groups of women on the basis of race and did not allow all women in the U.S to participate at the polls. Girls will engage in activities to be able to evaluate disparity that continues to be prevalent in women’s rights today, while also planning steps towards action they can demonstrate in their local communities.
The local Girl Scouts are active year-round participating in activities like the Mock Legislature at 2019 Girl Scout Leadership Day at the Capitol.
Girl Scout Leadership Day with Oregon Governor Kate Brown
Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington serves members throughout Oregon and Clark, Skamania and Klickitat Counties in Washington. 40 volunteer-led areas called service units provide support for girls and adults in their area. The local council is funded through grants, donations, bequests, program fees, product sales, investment income and endowments.
Brownie Girl Scouts lead a signature campaign to save a local park.
A Girl Scout Cadette follows the Path to the Ballot in her school.
Here’s a video explaining how Girls Scouts offer a lifetime of leadership:
From Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington:
Thanks to the generosity of people like you, Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington is able to deliver on the mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
One in four Girl Scouts in our council depends on financial assistance, so your gift directly impacts the lives of girls in your community.
Gifts of any amount go a long way. Every donation makes an impact in the lives of girls in our community.
Your $10 gift could provide three Girl Scout Brownies with their Programming Robots badges, inspiring even the youngest girls to dream big dreams.
Your $25 gift could furnish a girl with her annual Girl Scout membership, opening up a world of possibilities—camp, STEM, travel, building friendships for a lifetime, learning about the world, and taking action as a leader.
Your $50 gift could supply seven Girl Scout Ambassadors with “Your Voice, Your World: The Power of Advocacy” Journey books.
Your $100 gift could outfit 12 girls with their official Girl Scout sashes, to proudly display their hard-earned STEM and outdoor badges.
Your $250 gift could help 16 girls experience camp for a day, where they’ll try new adventures like scaling a climbing wall and paddling a canoe.
Your $1,000 gift could welcome three girls to Classic Camp, where they’ll build confidence in swimming, building campfires, cooking outdoors, paddling on the lake, and more.
Portland, OR. Advantis Credit Union and Safeway found two ways to support the Portland Police Bureau’s Sunshine Division this holiday season. One way was by loading food boxes for distribution to 3,000 families. The boxes were filled with a holiday feast including mashed potatoes, stuffing, ham, rolls, and more. The Sunshine Division provides free accessible food and clothing assistance to struggling local families and individuals year-round.
The boxes were filled with care.
Advantis Credit Union and Safeway volunteers pose for a photo.
Additional support for the nonprofit came in the form of sponsorship of the Winter Wonderland at Portland International Raceway. Over 43 tons of food has been donated to the Sunshine Division via Winter Wonderland.
From Sunshine Division: If you need help with food and clothing, please call 503-823-2102 to listen to our informational message or email us at: [email protected]
Portland, OR. The 37th annual Providence Festival of Trees was a lively kick-off for a season of philanthropic holiday events. The four-day festival raised nearly $1.5 million, had 20,000 visitors and featured more than 100 decorated trees, mini-trees, and holiday displays. The event has raised more than $18 million since it began in 1983. At an opening night gala on December 5th, Chief Philanthropy Officer for Providence Foundations of Oregon, Kelly Buechler, posed for a photo with Blake and Liz Howells, and daughter Ellie. One decorated tree took top honors:
Best of Show was “Country Christmas” sponsored by Play Smart Youth Heart Screenings. Designers: Leslie Radke, Sandy Miller, and friends
Steve Dunn and Angelica Thornton from KATU serve as hosts for the evening.
Doug Cain, Executive Director of Providence Newberg Health Foundation and wife Jill
Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree entertains.
Auctioneer Johnna Wells and Safeway’s Jill McGinnis are joined by raffle tree winner Cheri Hick
Johnna Wells with Rick Mahler from Packhouz Jewelers announce the winner of the Diamond raffle – 75 tickets sold for the 75th anniversary of the child center.
After the gala dinner auction, the halls are thrown open for visitors.
The money raised supports the programs and services of Providence Health & Services, providing critically needed health care for children and adults and advancing nationally recognized clinical research.
From Providence:
Many thanks to the donors, community partners and local businesses who generously provided financial support and in-kind gifts – and to the hundreds of volunteers who worked long hours to create the festival’s magic and help local children make special holiday memories.
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