Portland, January 3rd, 2014. It’s been an exciting year for PortlandSocietyPage.com. We’ve had nearly 400,000 page views since our launch. We’ve covered over 900 stories about local the nonprofits. Those admirable organizations have raised millions of dollars for worthy beneficiaries.
Here’s the list of the top ten stories (in reverse order to build your suspense) on PortlandSocietyPage.com during 2014.
Portland, December 6th, 2014. The Spinners, Illusionist Hart Keene from America’s Got Talent, Erik Swartz from Laff Factory in Los Angeles, and The Brown Sisters from Portland packed the Oregon Convention Center Ballroom for community leader Roy Jay’s annual “Spam and Velvetta” Holiday party. Audience members were encouraged to donate to various local charities. Roy Jay’s nonprofit also gave away use of a Toyota for a year, along with other prizes to say “Thank You” for support.
Roy Jay addressed the crowd.
New Portland Police Chief Larry O’Dea and wife Kay were among the 750+ people attending the Roy Jay annual “Spam and Velveeta” holiday event.
Retiring Portland Police Chief Michael Reese and his wife enjoyed the event.
CPA Joel Forbess and wife Tracey enjoyed the entire evening.
Marcia and George Hocker bought their tickets months before the event and got some of the best seats in the house. “Portland needs more first class events like this” says George. “Thanks Roy Jay for what you do for our communities”
The Spinners were a big hit with the crowd.
The event also recognized returning veterans and their families. Complimentary seating provided by KBNP Radio, Enterprise Holdings, TradeYa, Inc and Roy Jay Enterprises. Thanks to Roy Jay’s partners and members of the African American Chamber, the event encouraged the audience to donate to local nonprofits such as Lines for Life, M.I.K.E. Program, Highland’s Haven and Project Clean Slate.
Grand prizes this year included a 2014 Toyota Prius, Portland Trailblazer courtside seats, color televisions and much more. The 750+ guests enjoyed a nonstop professionally produced event that has become the “must attend” event of the holiday season. Jay says that his Las Vegas and Portland staffers are already working on a list of potential 2015 performers that are on the short list including Diana Ross, Bette Midler, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Kool and The Gang and The Pointer Sisters.
Portland, December 30th, 2014. Classic Wines Auction held a Happy Hour at Kuni Happy hour event. The celebration was in held in honor of Chris Hermann who enthusiastically won the bidding war for the highly coveted BMW i8 at the 30th anniversary Classic Wines Auction last March.
Supporters came out to see the new BMW and raise a glass to the nonprofit work of Classic Wines Auction, Inc.
Chris Hermann (second in from the right) rang in the New Year with the unveiling of his new 2015 BMW i8 at the Kuni BMW dealership in Beaverton, Ore. Hermann is pictured here with Richard Kumar (far right), Area Manager for BMW of North America; Heather Martin, Executive Director of the Classic Wines Auction; Greg Goodwin, CEO of Kuni Automotive and Classic Wines Auction Board Member; and Shane O’Hanrahan, General Manager of Kuni BMW (far left).
With nearly 75 guests cheering him on, Hermann unveiled the luxury hybrid sports car with the help of his father and daughter.
From Classic Wines Auction:
Consistently recognized as one of the top ten charity wine auctions in the country by Wine Spectator Magazine since 2001, the Classic Wines Auction has raised nearly $33 million for Portland-area charities since its inception in 1982. Based in Portland, Ore., Classic Wines Auction, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to producing the Classic Wines Auction and related food and wine events to raise funds for local charities benefiting children and families, including: Metropolitan Family Service, New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children-Portland, YWCA Clark County and Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel. See more at www.classicwinesauction.com
Portland, December 10th, 2014. Thirty kids with Friends of the Children were treated to a memorable experience at the Moda Center. Windermere Stellar donated a Portland Trail Blazers clinic that featured two hours of private basketball instruction, highlighting Jerome Kersey and mascot Blaze, to Friends of the Children. Youth with Friends of the Children pose with Portland Trailblazers employees, Blaze and Windermere Stellar executives during the private clinic.
Portland Trailblazers legend, Jerome Kersey, talks shop with kids from Friends of the Children during a private basketball clinic donated by Windermere Stellar.
Here are a few snapshots of the fun.
“The kids will never forget their special night at the Moda Center. Thanks to Windermere Stellar for making it happen,” said Rachael Langtry, Friends of the Children Program Director. “It was heartwarming to see the kids’ faces light up at the sight of Blaze and they were clearly star struck when Jerome Kersey came out.”
This is not the first time that Friends of the Children (a revolutionary mentoring program that pairs vulnerable children with paid, professional mentors) and Windermere Stellar (a leading residential real estate company in the area) have partnered to help local youth. This past October, Windermere Stellar announced its commitment to raise $250,000 to fund the kitchen in Friends of the Children’s new facility in Gresham, slated to break ground next month.
About Friends of the Children:
Friends of the Children is a revolutionary mentoring program that is transforming the lives of our most vulnerable children. Founded by Portland native Duncan Campbell, Friends of the Children makes a 12.5 year commitment to each child, selecting them in kindergarten, matching them with paid, professional mentors (called Friends) and guiding them through high school graduation. For more information, visit friendspdx.org.
About Windermere Stellar:
Locally owned and managed for 40 years, Windermere Stellar has offices in Portland, Vancouver, Lake Oswego, West Linn and the north Oregon coast. The company’s full-time real estate experts have the local knowledge, collaborative network and dedication to successfully guide buyers and sellers through complex real estate transactions. Brokers donate a portion of their commission from every transaction to the Windermere Foundation, which supports low-income children and families. To date, more than $2 million has been donated to 100 local organizations. Localized real estate information can be found at: windermereportland.com (Portland metro), windermereoregoncoast.com (north Oregon coast) and windermerevancouver.com (Vancouver).
Portland, December 7th, 2014. The 53rd annual Portland Jewish Academy Auction auction raised $590,000 for S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) and Scholarships. Steve Albert, PJA’s new Executive Director and Merrill Hendin, Principal enjoyed the evening.
Portland Jewish Academy: An independent school in Portland, Oregon providing an extraordinary Jewish and secular education for your child. Preschool through 8th Grade. 503.244.0126 http://www.pjaproud.org/
From the Portland Jewish Academy: We’d like to thank the following sponsors: COMMUNITY GRAND PATRONSteve “Rosy” Rosenberg and Ellen LippmanThe Jay & Diane Zidell Charitable Foundation CHAI GRAND PATRONThe Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE FoundationThe Jay & Diane Zidell Charitable Foundation DIAMOND Gayle and Paul RomainPLATINUMLisa M. Gitelson, DMDJonathan and Sarah GlassThe Holzman Foundation Inc./Renee and Irwin HolzmanJoel Mullin and Sheri KatzHoward and Carole OryProvenance HotelsStan and Madelle Rosenfeld Family FoundationGOLDDr. Michael and Rose BaskinBarry and Karla BensonBluestone & Hockley Real Estate ServicesMichael and Chris FevesHachler Investments, LLCSamuel MetzJeanne Paul TeamIrv and Arlene PotterJerry and Bunny Sadis Eve Stern and Les GutfreundSharon Stern and Steve RallisonCarolyn Wooden-Johnson and J. Michael Johnson SILVERSteve Albert and Janie GoldenbergMarc and Sarah BlattnerRabbi Michael and Cantor Ida Rae CahanaMilt Carl and FamilyColumbia Fresh TransportationJeff Feinblatt, MD PCJohn and Beth GermainMilton G Gordon & Sandra Gordon FundPerry and Merrill HendinTony and Priscilla KostinerBarbara LeinwandThe Malka Family – Tel Aviv Diamond Co & Malka DiamondsBrian, Amara, Jared and Jordan NormanErik Richmond and Annette DemseyCongregation Shaarie TorahGary and Linda SingerMarshal SpectorBRONZEAlan Bacharach, Wealth Strategies NWJulie, Tom, Melissa and Rachael DiamondThe Drucker FamilyBarbra and Adam FisherThe Flamm FamilyRobert Gitelson, MSW, LCSWHappy CupHawthorne ChiropracticLisa and Lewis Horowitz and FamilySue KatzRyan and Jordana LevenickMonica Litt and Judd EusticeGail Mandel and Steven KleinJim and Lora MeyerNorth Rim Development Group, LLCNorthwest BankBenjamin and Avital O’GlasserJeff Reingold, Income Property ManagementDavid and Kim SolondzThe Sold By Jen Team Realtors, Jen Singer
Portland, November 6th, 2014. The annual Partner with Edison Breakfast generated $185,000 to help support financial aid, technology, and professional development at the school. Edison is the only high school in Oregon and southwest Washington dedicated to students with complex learning differences. Supporters heard from senior Tessi Troup, and former student Greg Weaver, who shared their educational journeys. Current parent, Tina Ricks, spoke about the importance of Edison High School and the positive impact the school has had on her family. Director Patrick Maguire opened the event by unveiling the school’s new name and logo.
Dean Dordevic, Amber Hillman, and Ed Herinckx
Robb Wilson and Anne Stein-Gray
Rose Kilpatrick, Dolly Scott, Mary Anne Sandoval and Sandy Jones
Janeen McAninch and Edison Director Patrick Maguire
Greg Roderick and Edison board member Pat Becker
Jeff Gianola and James Johnstone
Carolyn Becic, Mike Arthur and Edison board member Michael Sandoval
Current students Nicole Strain and Jaylynn Bernhardt
Chris Gettel-Gilmartin, Sara Fitzpatrick, Tessi Troupe, and Ian Ricks
Edison High School, founded in 1973, is the only high school in Oregon and SW Washington that is specifically dedicated to serving high school students with learning differences. Our work at Edison is powerful and profound: helping every student reach his or her full potential. Edison offers an individualized curriculum that meets each student’s special 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. We change lives.
Our school was founded in 1973 as the Tree of Learning. For 17 years, students were taught in portable classrooms on the Jesuit High School campus. In 1992, we moved into a brand new building of our own, changing our name to honor Thomas Alva Edison.
As a dyslexic, Edison struggled greatly in school, where he was considered a mischief-maker and a problem child. His mind often wandered in class, he talked when he was supposed to be listening, and he paid little attention to detail. The schoolmaster called young Edison “addle brained” and considered him such a poor student that he advised Edison’s mother to take him out of school altogether, “for he would never make a scholar.”
Of course, Edison proved everyone wrong. And while not every child with learning differences will achieve such notability as an adult, the example of Thomas Edison’s achievements serves as our daily inspiration. Just as Edison transformed the way we live, Edison High School works to transform the lives of our students.
Portland, November 23rd, 2014. Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Oregon and SW Washington was the charity partner for the first annual St. Catherine’s Day Feast. Heather Melonis dons a hat in celebration of the new St. Catherine’s Day parade and feast. It is a food event that featured the best female chefs, winemakers, brewers and mixologists who came together in two adjacent venues to showcase their talent. The event was hosted by ChefStable. (photo credit, Jeremy Fenske)
Sarah Pliner of Aviary crafts a dish for St. Catherine’s Day
Portland, November 7, 2014. More than 300 friends and supporters came together to support Living Yoga at its annual, “Invest in the Human Spirit” gala, raising $110,000 to provide the healing power of yoga to communities impacted by trauma. Living Yoga’s Board members including Karen Leib, Jeff Horacek, Sara McMahon, Holly Rodway, Sue Aicher, Kelly Blunt, Sara Morrow, Michael Faith, Harry Dudley, Chip Gettinger, Nikki Dobay, and Sherrie Barger, celebrated their success.
Kim Scott, President & CEO, Trillium Family Services, kicked off the appeal by speaking passionately about the success of Living Yoga’s program at the Edwards Day School. Living Yoga currently teaches 38 classes at 24 partner organizations, reaching more than 2000 students each year. These organizations include transitional facilities, drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, prisons, and other populations. The funds raised will help expand their program to more youth facilities, increasing access to yoga as a tool for personal change.
The event was held at Castaway with emcee, Tony Martinez, and auctioneer, Heidi Hill, who inspired the supporters to give to their highest level. The event was chaired by Karen Leib, who orchestrated an unforgettable evening of energy and inspiration.
Photo credit: Kunal Mehra
Kim Scott of Trillium Family Services was the special guest of the night sharing how important Living Yoga’s work has been for the kids and youth at Trillium.
For more information on Living Yoga, please contact Michael Faith, Executive Director, at [email protected] or 503-546-1269
Portland – October 18, 2014. Legacy Emanuel Medical Center hosted the “Saving Lives…Night of Heroes” gala to raise critical funds for Legacy Emanuel’s trauma services and the Emanuel Family House, and to honor those who perform this lifesaving work. Gov. John Kitzhaber, Legacy Health CEO Dr. George Brown and his wife, Barbara Young attended the evening at Montgomery Park which netted over $185,000, thanks to the generosity of the 350 attendees, including presenting sponsor, Regence. The event campaign was co-chaired by Dr. William & Carole Long and Dr. Steve & Kim Madey. (photo credit, Phototainment)
Angela Dowling of Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon
Carole Long, Julia Long, Dr. William Long and Kate Othus
David Thompson, Ann Thompson and Emanuel Medical Center Foundation trustees Jordan Menashe and Krystal Gema
As a regional trauma center, Legacy Emanuel receives patients daily who need highly specialized care after suffering a serious injury or illness. “It has to be coordinated like a pit crew at the Indy 500,” said William Long, M.D., strategic medical director at Legacy Emanuel, “It requires a full array of specialists, who are instantly available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
A significant number of the trauma patients must stay at Legacy Emanuel for several weeks. The Emanuel Family House allows family members to remain with their loved ones during long hospital stays by providing safe and affordable housing on the Legacy Emanuel campus.
Nationally known for their expertise in treating critical health conditions, Legacy Emanuel is a medical pacesetter. With advanced specialized services, which include a Trauma Center, a Burn Center, Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy (ECMO) and the LifeFlight Network, it is a vital regional hub for trauma care.
Portland, October 18th, 2014. Magic was in the air and under the Dome at Congregation Beth Israel when Master Illusionist Shimshi took to the stage for a display of mental marveling before a spell-bound crowd of over 200. Levitation-level sponsors Harold and Jane Pollin pose with world-renowned illusionist and mentalist Shimshi, (center) who headlined at Beth Israel’s fundraiser. “The Magic is Here” was the theme of Beth Israel’s fall fundraiser, chaired by Drs. David & Tiffany Goldwyn.
Event chairs Drs. Tiffany and David Goldwyn helped create the magical evening, which included spinning and levitating candle centerpieces.
Cantor Ida Rae and Rabbi Michael Cahana join a stilt-walking entertainer to welcome arriving guests at the doorway to Schnitzer Family Center.
Beginning with a cocktail hour and supper, generously underwritten by sponsors Harold and Jane Pollin and catered by Al Fresco/Sheraton. The evening featured up-close acts of prestidigitation as Shimshi worked his way through the crowd. Nationally known for his appearances on America’s Got Talent, Shimshi is the resident illusionist at the Wynn Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. A paddle raise, introduced by CBI Board Member Eric Friedenwald-Fishman, helped push the event’s total fundraising number well above the projected $100,000 mark, thanks in large part to a matching challenge gift from the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation.
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The Jay & Diane Zidell Charitable Foundation DIAMOND Gayle and Paul Romain PLATINUM Lisa M. Gitelson, DMD Jonathan and Sarah Glass The Holzman Foundation Inc./Renee and Irwin Holzman Joel Mullin and Sheri Katz Howard and Carole Ory Provenance Hotels Stan and Madelle Rosenfeld Family Foundation GOLD Dr. Michael and Rose Baskin Barry and Karla Benson Bluestone & Hockley Real Estate Services Michael and Chris Feves Hachler Investments, LLC Samuel Metz Jeanne Paul Team Irv and Arlene Potter Jerry and Bunny Sadis Eve Stern and Les Gutfreund Sharon Stern and Steve Rallison Carolyn Wooden-Johnson and J. Michael Johnson SILVER Steve Albert and Janie Goldenberg Marc and Sarah Blattner Rabbi Michael and Cantor Ida Rae Cahana Milt Carl and Family Columbia Fresh Transportation Jeff Feinblatt, MD PC John and Beth Germain Milton G Gordon & Sandra Gordon Fund Perry and Merrill Hendin Tony and Priscilla Kostiner Barbara Leinwand The Malka Family – Tel Aviv Diamond Co & Malka Diamonds Brian, Amara, Jared and Jordan Norman Erik Richmond and Annette Demsey Congregation Shaarie Torah Gary and Linda Singer Marshal Spector BRONZE Alan Bacharach, Wealth Strategies NW Julie, Tom, Melissa and Rachael Diamond The Drucker Family Barbra and Adam Fisher The Flamm Family Robert Gitelson, MSW, LCSW Happy Cup Hawthorne Chiropractic Lisa and Lewis Horowitz and Family Sue Katz Ryan and Jordana Levenick Monica Litt and Judd Eustice Gail Mandel and Steven Klein Jim and Lora Meyer North Rim Development Group, LLC Northwest Bank Benjamin and Avital O’Glasser Jeff Reingold, Income Property Management David and Kim Solondz The Sold By Jen Team Realtors, Jen Singer
