Portland, April 17th, 2014. Ethos’ second annual Ovation Gala was held at the newly-minted Sentinel (formerly The Governor Hotel). With 400 guests, the nonprofit more than doubled last year’s attendance, and raised $92,000 for
music education. Pete Krebs and the Portland Playboys kicked off the night by providing a jaunty Western swing backdrop for the silent auction in the Grand Ballroom. (photo credit, Nina Johnson) Founded in 1998, Ethos provides music lessons, multicultural performances and workshops to more than 7,000 students a year.
Scott Moore and ED Jedidiah Chavez
Pete Krebs entertained during the Silent Auction.
Ed and Leah Hershey, Donna and David Keller, Sam Adams
Liam Richard-Ricke sang Katy Perry’s “Firework” after the audience watched a video about the effect that music – and Ethos – have had on his life. A sea of 400 guests raised their candles as Liam serenaded them with the befitting lyrics, “You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine/Just own the night like the 4th of July.”
Emcee Tony Starlight and auctioneer Kelly Russell led the enthusiastic crowd through an impressive list of auction items, ranging from vacation getaways to studio recording time to VIP concert tickets. The most sought-after item, however, was a 2000 Paul Reed Smith electric guitar in brilliant emerald green. During the second half of the evening, guests were treated to a variety of outstanding performances by students, accompanied by their instructors and parents. The repertoire showcased the range of music styles that Ethos teaches – from a jazz ensemble performing the old standard “Autumn Leaves” to the aptly-named rock outfit, Death By Thumb, closing out the night with Tom Petty’s “Runnin’ Down a Dream.” (The crowd then cheered them through seven encores.) While all the performances elicited thunderous applause, two in particular commanded standing ovations. Cada Gerrans dedicated Fleetwood Mac’s “Songbird” to her mother, Margaret, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
From Ethos:
We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our table sponsors, gala committee members, staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, auction donors, encore sponsor Winderlea Vineyard and Winery and our media sponsors, El Hispanic News, PQ Monthly and KZME. Visit Ethos’ Facebook page to view the event photo gallery, courtesy of our photographer, Nina Johnson. Thanks again to everyone who came together to make the evening possible. We look forward to next year’s event!
Portland, April 8th, 2014. Nearly 600 YWCA supporters filled the Downtown Portland Hilton ballroom to hear stories of empowered women and to be inspired with the spirit of social change. Attendees including Dana Petrusich, Wendy Hill of Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center and Jennifer Mark of Melvin Mark Companies. The event was held on “On Equal Pay Day” andfeatured Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and co-author of Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, Ms. Sheryl WuDunn. (photo credit, Jim Garrison Photography)
Julia Markley of Perkins Coie LLP, YWCA Board of Directors, Jennifer Currin Gutridge of McGee Wealth Management, YWCA Board of Directors and Susan Haas of McGee Wealth Management.
Now in its 22nd year, the Inspire Luncheon has raised over $5 Million to support the YWCA’s mission of ‘eliminating racism and empowering women.’
From the YWCA of Greater Portland:
The YWCA of Greater Portland is the local affiliate of one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the nation. We have been an active part of the Portland community for the past 110 years, providing services to women, children, and families, from all walks of life—regardless of their age, race, or income level.
The YWCA of Greater Portland’s services extend from Multnomah County to clients from all over Oregon. Our programs span four key areas:
The YWCA is a highly collaborative organization with an established history of partnering with local organizations and groups. As a non-profit organization, we believe that partnerships are the cornerstone of providing high quality, fiscally responsible, sustainable services to our clients.
Portland, February 28, 2014. Nearly 450 professionals attended the eighth annual SearchFest at the Governor Hotel. The record number of attendees raved about the speakers, content and venue, with the conference once again trending on Twitter throughout the day. During the event, SEMpdx presented a $1,600 donation to its 2014 Charity of Choice, the Cat Adoption Team (CAT). Based in Sherwood, Ore., CAT is the Pacific Northwest’s largest nonprofit, limited-admission and adoption-guarantee cat shelter—meaning it is able to take in new cats while finding homes for the remaining cats in the shelter. The conference theme for the year was New School and Old School marketing; including the opening and closing keynote presentations given by Joanna Lord and Jeremy “Shoemoney” Schoemaker, respectively.
SEMpdx members mingle and socialize with many of the 32 speakers the night before SearchFest.
SearchFest Opening Keynote Joanna Lord provides “New School” marketing strategies for the capacity crowd.
“Old School” Closing Keynote Jeremy “Shoemoney” Schoemaker preaches a return to the basics (with some new technology of course) to round out the day.
“SearchFest’s continued success points to why Portland is a hotbed for digital marketing. No wonder Google wants to bring super-fast internet to our city,” said Alan George, SearchFest Director and SEMpdx board member. “Other companies are taking notice too. We had record sponsorship revenues, up 60 percent from 2013. Headlining sponsors included Moz, KISSmetrics, Bing and Yext.”
SearchFest is currently the only search and social media conference organized by a nonprofit business organization (SEMpdx) in the Northwest — allowing tickets to be one-third of the cost of other conferences featuring the same caliber of speakers. Lower ticket prices paired with national experts has led to tremendous growth of the event.
Companies as varying as Nike, Xerox, Puppet Labs and Zupan’s Markets sent employees to SearchFest this year. While speakers from organizations such as Salesforce, Airbnb, Huffington Post/AOL, Bing/Microsoft and more presented.
SEMpdx, the Search Engine Marketing Professionals of Portland, is a nonprofit group dedicated to nurturing the development of the search engine marketing (SEM) and social media marketing (SMM) industries in the greater northwest. Created as a resource for both local industry professionals and area businesses, SEMpdx strives to build national credibility for Portland as a hub for the SEM/SMM industry, as well as improve the quality of work and life for its
professionals.SEMpdx is committed to giving back to the local community by supporting charitable organizations.
Each year, SEMpdx selects a charity of choice to support for a 12 month period.
Portland, March 14th, 2014. Girl’s Inc. surpassed expectations and raised $292, 500 this year which is more than any previous Power of the Purse. Girls Inc. of Northwest Oregon hosted its ninth annual Power of the Purse event presented by The Standard at the Hilton Portland. The gala drew supporters to celebrate and raise money for strong, smart and bold girls in the community. Fourteen Portland women represented the purse-o-nalities of this year’s Power of the Purse, and each purse-o-nality was paired with a local purse designer to create a unique fashion statement. (Photo credit, Brent Barnett, OSI Photography)
Girls Council member, Hannah, with designer Becky Ross (left) and Purse-o-nality Angela Jackson
Girls Council member, Vicky, on the runway. In photo: designer Emily Katz (left) and Purse-o-nality Anais Tuepker
From Girl’s Inc.: Girls Inc. of NW Oregon offers programs for girls 8-18 around the greater Portland area. Girls Inc. programs focus on developing healthy behaviors, adopting new life skills, and encouraging girls to reach higher. Girls Inc. programs are led by a team of experienced Girls Inc. program staff and volunteer Girl Guides. We also offer occasional parent and mother-daughter trainings and workshops.
Portland, April 12th, 2014. Organizers of a special tea at Warner Pacific College raised even more than expected, “Our goal was to raise $85,000 to support the Act Six Scholarship at Warner Pacific. We exceeded that goal and raised over $91,000!,” explained Kathy Covey. The Act Six Leadership and Scholarship Initiative is Oregon a full-tuition, full-need scholarship for emerging urban leaders. It was Warner Pacific’s 5th Annual President’s Tea and Scholarship Auction supports the Act Six Scholarship program at the College: an opportunity to meet the needs of underserved and first-generation college students as they pursue their higher education goals. This year’s event features award winning author Sarah Thebarge as the keynote speaker and Warner Pacific Act Six Scholar Yesenia Delgado. (Photos courtesy of Warner Pacific College taken by Kai Hayashi)
Bidders raise their paddles at Warner Pacific’s President’s Tea.
Act Six Scholar Luwam Kahassay and guest Dixie Samuels
Dr. Daymond Glenn (Warner Pacific Vice President for Community Life and Chief Diversity Officer) with Act Six Scholars
Marcelo Anteparra-Naujock (Warner Pacific Board of Trustees and Executive Creative Director with Cafelli), with Dr. Andrea Cook, President of Warner Pacific and guest Larry Briggs
This year, the college welcome award winning author, Sarah Thebarge as a keynote speaker. Her memoir, “The Invisible Girls,” was released in April 2013 and is available in the campus bookstore. Learn more about Sarah at sarahthebarge.com.
About Act Six Scholar Yesenia Delgado: The oldest of five children in a single parent home, college was not at the top of her priority list after graduating from Reynolds High School. Through the support and investment of the Act Six Program at Warner Pacific, Yesenia discovered her desire to lead. She is now majoring in Human Development, and serves on Student Government and Student Diversity Council. Yesenia is passionate about investing and inspiring others to achieve greatness one day, just as Warner Pacific believed in her. She will be graduating in May 2014.
About Act Six Leadership and Scholarship Initiative: The Act Six Leadership and Scholarship Initiative (actsix.org) is Oregon’s full-tuition, full-need scholarship for emerging urban leaders who want to use their college education to make a difference on campus and in their communities at home.
Headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, Act Six’s national office operates under the auspices of the Northwest Leadership Foundation, a Christian-based organization that addresses issues of inequality and injustice in urban settings. Act Six recruits diverse, multi-cultural cadres of Portland’s most promising emerging leaders. Once accepted into the program, students are trained within their “cadres” for a year prior to college entrance.
From Warner Pacific College:
Founded in 1937, Warner Pacific is a Christ-centered, urban, liberal arts college dedicated to providing students from diverse backgrounds an education that prepares them to engage actively in a constantly changing world. Learn more at www.warnerpacific.edu. Warner Pacific College is located at 2219 SE 68th Ave., Portland, Or
Portland, April 12th, 2014. Members and guests of Assistance League of Greater Portland rolled back time to Vintage Hollywood: A Black & White Affair at the Multnomah Athletic Club. Supporters included Dr. Phil Marucha, Dean of OHSU Dental School; Kay Gebhart, President of Greater Portland Chapter, Margaret Asiello, Dr. Noel Larsen and Jamie Marucha.
Hank and Margie Grootendorst, Carol Bray, Gala Chairman; Jean Armstrong, Advisory Board and in the background Poison Waters, emcee of the event.
Everything was in black and white including all of the photos.
Patrons entered the evening on the stage setting of Casa Blanca where they enjoyed tasty appetizers and champagne before proceeding to the silent auction. Silent auction items included a man’s watch, diamond and pearl cocktail ring, Disney for the kids, hand crafted jewelry items, and Kate Spade purse to name just a few of the items. Trips were the featured items of the oral auction: Bali, South Africa, Italy, Las Vegas and closer to home with Manzanita and SunRiver, diamond earrings, wine tastings and dinners out on the town. The evening netted $75,000 for the chapter’s philanthropic programs
Attending the gala was Jason Zacher who is running 187.8 miles in June for the chapter’s Operation School Bell® philanthropic program. He plans to accomplish this feat in 48 hours. Attendees sponsored his run with a direct donation to the program.
National Assistance League® and its Greater Portland chapter honored Jay and Diane Zidell with The Operation School Bell Award® Saturday April 12 at the chapter’s annual fundraising gala. The Zidells were presented the award for their generous support of the chapter’s philanthropic program Operation School Bell that provide new clothing for over 2600 children in need attending Beaverton and Hillsboro Public Schools.
We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) philanthropic organization. Our all volunteer membership is nonsectarian and nonpolitical. Our mission is to perform charitable work within the local community.
Assistance League of Greater Portland has been serving the greater Portland area since 1961 when we were established as a guild. In 1965 we met all the requirements to become a chapter of National Assistance League® which was founded in 1935. Our chapter is one of more than 120 chapters and guilds in 26 states.
Annually, Assistance League returns over $37.7 million to local communities, assisting 1.4 million people. This is made possible by the 26,000 member-volunteers in 120 chapters who contribute 2.86 million service hours.
Operation School Bell®, our signature national program, served 337,000 children last year. Since 1958, more than 3 million children have been assisted.
Portland, March 1st, 2014. More than 2,000 Portlanders jumped into the frigid water of the Columbia River to support Special Olympics Oregon. The cold weather did not dampen enthusiasm and great costumes added to the fun. Organized by Oregon Law Enforcement, the Polar Plunge, is the largest grass roots fundraiser in Oregon. Money raised supports 12,000 Special Olympics Oregon participants statewide. (photo credit, Cameron Browne)
Members of Oregon Law Enforcement enjoy the fun.
One of the sponsors for the day, Oregon’s Health CO-OP – Bob Dickes, Cinthia Manuel, KJ McAllister, Jake Byron (event emcee Alpha Broadcasting, Dylan Hornstein.
Pam Abrahamsson and Carolynn Duncan.
Drew Carney (emcee, KGW) with costume contestant.
Waiting to plunge
Special Olympics Oregon offers training and competition opportunities in 14 different Olympic-style sports. They hold events in every region of the state, every month of the year, providing athletes the opportunity to be competing and training as often as they choose.
Portland, March 29th, 2014. Over 350 guests donned their masks for the annual Q Center winter gala where the theme was, “masQuerad” The event raised nearly $157,000. Q Center provides a safe space to support and celebrate LGBTQ diversity, visibility and community building. Q Center offers multi-generational programs and services in four core areas: Arts & Culture; Education & Training; Health & Wellness and Advocacy. (photo credit, Andie Petkus)
Dan Pierce – Marcia Brown – Linda Brown
Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence at Q Center Gala
Portland Musicians Logan Lynn (left) and Ruth Radelet of Chromatics (right) at Q Center Gala
Kyle Bryan Boike and Shauna Noah at Q Center Gala
House of Representatives Speaker Tina Kotek at Q Center Gala
Bob Speltz – Mike Sauer – Dwight Adkins – Quentin Hawks
Q Center Gala Auctioneer Johnna Wells
Q Center Gala Host Tara Dublin
The Peter Krebs Trio Performing at Q Center Gala
From the Q Center:
There are dozens of events and groups that meet here, some focused on specific topics (like coming out or gender identity) and others aimed at fun social interactions (like sing-along piano cabarets or craft nights). Entry to most of these is sliding-scale and run by dedicated volunteers, keeping Q Center truly community-driven and accessible.
In addition to our programmatic offerings, our 5,000 sq/ft facility is also a safe and friendly place to spend an afternoon. With our monthly art exhibits, extensive library collection, Resource Wall, and free WiFi access, there’s always something to see and learn here at Q Center.
And don’t forget that Q Center is also a great inexpensive rental space that affords great visibility and accessibility to people and other organizations.
Portland, March 8th, 2014. Disjecta Contemporary Art Center held the Opening Reception for Portland2014: A Biennial in Contemporary Art where approximately 460 people attended including exhibition curator Amanda Hunt and Portland2014 artist Richard Thompson. As part of the exhibition, Disjecta has organized a program of exhibitions, public space interventions and events showcasing fifteen artists whose practices are shaping the contemporary arts landscape in the region. (Photo credit: Jake M Richardson.)
Portland2014, curated by Los Angeles-based Amanda Hunt, presents exhibitions staged across four Portland venues: Disjecta, Upfor Gallery, White Box, University of Oregon, Portland; and The Best Art Gallery in Portland. In addition, there are works of art in public spaces, such as billboards, to spark conversation.
Portland, February 28th, 2014. More than 280 attendees danced the night away at Albertina Kerr’s 80’s Prom-themed Spotlight on Kerr Gala at Montgomery Park. Guests heard from grateful parent Amy Logue and were moved to donate more than $146,000 in support of mental health and developmental disability services for children, adults and families at Albertina Kerr. Kim Borton, Mary Beth Butkovic, Kirsten Chambers, Kathryn Hile, and Anton Oehlert served on the committee that organized the event. (photo credits, PDX PhotoLounge and Andie Petkus Photography)
Denise and Rich Smith
Randi and John Thoma
From Albertina Kerr
Since 1907, Albertina Kerr has strengthened Oregon families and communities. Today, we provide programs and services to children and adults with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges – empowering them to live richer lives.
We’re building an army of angels. A community that stands together. Where we challenge the norm to create a society that has no barriers. Where people who face developmental disabilities and mental health challenges are included and empowered. Where families are supported and children have reason to smile. Where everyday people reach out to the most vulnerable and give back to their community.
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