Portland, March 15th, 2014. The 12th Annual SnowCap benefit raised a record $117,000. Allison Broyles and Eric Matzelle enjoy the festivities. A portion of the donations will support SnowCap’s new evening program to better serve the working poor throughout 2014 and 2015. SnowCap Executive Director Judy Alley noted that it took just one week to fill the new service hours with devoted volunteers. (Photo credit, LeeAnn Gauthier)
Marilyn Grey, representing PGE and Pacific Power’s Becky Eberle, told us they’re bitter rivals, but behavior revealed that two returning sponsors for SnowCap’s auction get along splendidly.
SnowCap’s biggest auction to date drew nearly 350 guests to the Holiday Inn Portland-Airport and offered treasures ranging from the exotic to everyday donated by generous supporters. Premier Sponsors for the event were Pacific Power and Alyson Huntting. Emcee Carla Piluso and auctioneer JillMarie Wiles kept the evening lively. Knowledge garnered from their long association with SnowCap enabled them to connect the evening’s fun with the serious work of operating East County’s largest food pantry. Over 8,000 local residents depend on SnowCap for food or clothing each month.
Rimma and Tyler Richardson purchased glass art made and donated by auction sponsor Alyson Huntting.
SnowCap board member Diane Liefeld received flowers for her great work as the committee chair of SnowCap Community Charities 12th Annual Dinner
SnowCap board member Merlin Aufdengarten (Rt) surprises auction sponsor Alyson Huntting by nominating her as the runner for the dessert dash – a chocolatey rich element of the dinner auction raising funds for SnowCap Community Charities
Contact SnowCap through www.snowcap.org, PO Box 160, Fairview, OR 97024 or 503-674-8785 ext. 17 for more information or to make a donation. Since 1967 SnowCap volunteers have been feeding and clothing their neighbors in need in east Portland, Gresham, Fairview, Troutdale, Parkrose, and Wood Village.
Portland, March 7th, 2014. Over 460 of Portland’s generous Lines for Life supporters celebrated the work of Judy Cushing, retiring CEO at its gala. Board President Dan McMillan of the Standard is pictured with Judy Cushing, Tommy & Amber Thayer (Tommy Thayer is best known as the guitarist from the rock band, KISS.) New CEO Dwight Holton was also there to kick off another great year of lifesaving work. The nonprofit raised over $323,000 for its efforts to prevent substance abuse and suicide. (photo credit, Andie Petkus)
KISS band member Tommy Thayer, Amber Thayer, Event Co-Chair Tom Milligan, Cristan and Major Dan Browne.
Guests visiting at the pre-gala reception in the Sunken Ballroom.
Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill, Retiring CEO Judy Cushing, Incoming CEO Dwight Holton and Portland mayor Charlie Hales
Bidders during the paddle raise auction in the Kridel Ballroom
From Lines for Life:
Lines for Life (formerly Oregon Partnership) is a non-profit dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide because they touch so many families in our society. We have served thousands of people with addiction, mental health and suicide intervention services, treatment referral and drug prevention education.
Lines for Life Crisis Lines receive approximately 35,000 calls per year. We are able to de-escalate 98 percent of the 17,000 suicide calls we receive. The Military Helpline offers free, anonymous assistance 24/7/365 to active duty service members, veterans and their families through telephone and text support.
Our YouthLine offers a confidential teen-to-teen phone line and texting to help youth deal with bullying, depression, substance abuse or other issues that can make those years especially painful.
The Lines for Life staff works closely with schools, parents, treatment professionals, law enforcement and the military. We train and support community anti-drug coalitions. We lead public awareness campaigns on underage drinking, youth access to alcohol and reducing illegal drug use.
Portland, March 8th, 2014. Thomas Edison High School hosted 320 guests at the Governor Hotel for the carnival themed Brilliance Benefit auction and dinner. Shannon and Jeff Gianola of KOIN News enjoy the silent auction before Jeff takes over as emcee for the evening. Guests heard from sophomore Nazle Taylor and Board Vice Chair Roger Krage about the importance of Thomas Edison High School. The event generated over $230,000 in revenue to support financial aid, technology, and professional development at the school. Thomas Edison, the only high school in Oregon and southwest Washington dedicated to students with complex learning differences. (photo credit, Andie Petkus Photography)
Student Volunteers at the benefit.
Board Chair Sandra McDonough and Vice Chair Roger Krage.
Charles Wilhoite, Mary Fellows, and John Russell enjoy the silent auction.
Director Patrick Maguire thanks our fabulous co-chairs Paula Jacobson and Anne Stein-Gray.
Jean Rystrom accompanies her son as he makes his way around the silent auction on his stilts.
About Thomas Edison High School:
Thomas A. Edison is the only high school in Oregon and Southwest Washington dedicated to serving students with complex learning differences. Our work here is powerful and profound: helping every student reach his or her full potential.
As a small, private high school, Thomas A. 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.
Over 300 guests came to the Portland Art Museum to support Northwest Academy’s scholarship fund. Mary Vinton Folberg, Northwest Academy Head of School is pictured with Jordan Schnitzer, Harsch Investment Properties. Attendees enjoyed a cabaret stage show with Northwest Academy students and faculty, along with a live auction and dinner. Guests bid on silent and live auction items, including a McKenzie River Fishing Excursion, a Private Dinner at Silk and a Personal Tour of the Collection of Arlene and Harold Schnitzer. The evening raised over $150,000 in support of the Northwest Academy Scholarship Fund. Special thanks for Arlene Schnitzer and Jordan Schnitzer, who pledged a challenge grant of $50,000 from the Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation, and to the Quest Foundation, who offered a challenge grant of $37,050. (photo credit, Andie Petkus Photography)
Crowd shot at the Portland Art Museum
Madeline Ettinger ’16 as Dancer in One NIght in Rio – The Cabaret
Northwest Academy students perform in One Night in Rio stage show
Drew Carney, KGW-TV and Club Cabaret Master of Ceremonies
Angeles Godinez-Valencia, Northwest Academy Alumna (’13)
Wilson Captein ’14 as Tourist in One Night in Rio -The Cabaret
One in four students at Northwest Academy receives financial aid to attend the college preparatory middle and high school located in downtown Portland.
Northwest Academy is an independent school, grades 6 through 12, committed to education through academics and the arts. Founded in 1997 by Mary Vinton Folberg, Northwest Academy offers rigorous academic and arts programs that emphasize and value creative thinking, individual choice, and self-discipline. Classes are taught by master teachers and professionals active in their fields – from dance and the arts to the humanities and sciences. Northwest Academy prepares students for the demands of the twenty-first century through a strong focus on independent thought and problem solving combined with an emphasis on new approaches to contemporary issues. Northwest Academy is located at 1130 SW Main Street, Portland, Oregon 97205; 503-223-3367. For more information, please visit www.nwacademy.org. Follow us on Facebook at Northwest Academy.
Portland, February 28th, 2014. The Freshwater Trust, an Oregon-based water conservation non-profit, held the organization’s 31st annual gala and auction. George Gadbury, Lynne Gadbury, Maurice Fykes III and Edvige Fykes enjoyed the celebration.
The Freshwater Trust president Joe Whitworth and board member and ACME Business Consulting principal Scott Demorest enjoyed the after party, held in the Sunken Ballroom of the Art Museum following the dinner and auction in the Grand Ballroom.
With a mission to restore freshwater ecosystems, The Freshwater Trust fixes river throughout the state. The nonprofit uses new tools to restore rivers and improve wild fish habitat. The gala highlighted its innovations in science and technology in the restoration field. From the use of an iPad app to streamlined data collection to creating “Basin-Scout “to determine the best sites for restoring stream-side vegetation, The Freshwater Trust understands that new conservation solutions are needed to fix every river.
Natural art pieces by Portland artist Scott Sutton filled the room.
Alexandra Cousteau, granddaughter for Jacques Cousteau, delivered the keynote speech on how technology shaped her grandfather’s craft to how technology and data will shape the science of freshwater conservation.
Conservation group The Freshwater Trust celebrated its innovations in science and technology at the 31st annual gala and auction.
From the Freshwater Trust:
Our river systems are the backbone of agriculture, industry and recreation. Yet millions of river miles across the United States fail to fully support aquatic life. Over the last 50 years, human impacts have altered stream habitat, resulting in poor water quality and damaged ecosystems – creating a significant need to restore them.
Current conservation solutions are not addressing fundamental issues of water quality, climate change and species survival in time to fix these issues. This is why The Freshwater Trust is pioneering the next generation of conservation – new tools, methods, technologies and partnerships.
Portland, March 6th, 2014. 150 joined the party as Amy Vining Photography hosted an inaugural Shine Fashion Show at the Cleaners at the Ace Hotel. The event raised over $1,000 for “I Have a Dream” Oregon. Amy Vining is pictured with Katie Jacobson, Events and Corporate Relations Manager at “I Have a Dream” Oregon. Vinging teamed up with Portland’s prom and high school fashion vendors, like Charlotte’s Weddings, and the Jefferson Dancers to present a fashion and lifestyle event with teenage appeal. (Photo credit, Paul Rich)
The Jefferson Dancers
Class 10 Dreamer – Sierra
Class 10 Dreamer – Venus
Fourteen of Amy Vining’s senior models, alongside five of “I Have a Dream” Oregon’s student Dreamers walked the catwalk in the latest prom styles and teen fashion trends. 100% of ticket were donated to “I Have a Dream” Oregon. “The fashion show is something that allows my senior models to do something different at the end of their senior year, and also participate in something that benefits their community. I want to show these girls that even the smallest businesses, or one person, can make a difference. We chose ‘I Have a Dream’ because of their passion for what they do to support low-income students. I’ve been to a Dreamer student graduation, and have seen first hand the relationships and support that come from the staff and volunteers involved with the program. I have seen the pride in these ‘Dreamers’ eyes when they achieve something they didn’t think they could,” said Amy Vining, owner of Amy Vining Photography. Other companies involved included: Paradox Entertainment, Switch Shoes & Clothing, AJ’s Hair Design & Makeup, and Masala Pop.
ABOUT “I HAVE A DREAM” OREGON Since 1990, “I Have a Dream” Oregon has helped students in low-income communities with three proven core services: long-term relationships with caring adult mentors; access to wraparound services; and creating a “culture of college and career” within schools and Dreamer families. Their mission is to help students succeed in school, college and career. In Oregon, there have been more than 869 student Dreamers served since the first student class was ‘adopted’ in 1990, with more than 800 additional Dreamers currently served at the Nation’s first Dreamer School in outer SE Portland. Learn more at www.dreamoregon.org
Portland, March 7th, 2014. Many employees from local companies roll up their sleeves to help build homes for deserving families. Recently over 20 Huron Consulting Group volunteers joined the construction crew to build a local Habitat for Humanity home for the Dulal family. Family members worked alongside the volunteers. Volunteer Amy Hawkins said, “Getting to work alongside the homeowner is awesome! And raising the wall was a great way to start the day.”
Huron provides time off to participate in philanthropic activities. “We are pleased to work with Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East,” said James H. Roth, chief executive officer and president, Huron Consulting Group.
“Huron has been a great corporate sponsor over the years and we are pleased to work with them in Portland,” said Sasha Davis, director of communications, Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East. Huron employees have been participating in Habitat for Humanity community service projects across the country since 2009.
Tilting up one wall of the new home.
raising the wall
Huron Consulting Group employees savor the satisfaction of construction.
Habitat for Humanity Portland/ Metro East revitalizes neighborhoods, builds affordable and sustainable homes and empowers families through successful homeownership. Habitat is one of the only organizations in the Portland Metro area that offers homeownership opportunities to hardworking families making as little as $20,800 (for a family of four). We do this by mobilizing the community and a hand-up model in which the homeowner helps to build and then buys their home with a 0%-interest Habitat mortgage. Additionally, Habitat offers home repair services to low-income homeowners, using the same 0%-interest loan and sweat equity model. Instead of being in a vulnerable and fragile economic position, Habitat families find themselves in a position of strength. Habitatportlandmetro.org.
Portland, February 28th, 2014. Some furry friends were featured at Portland’s Yard, Garden and Patio Show at the Oregon Convention Center. Their VIP appearance raised awareness about the Oregon Humane Society. The Yard and Garden Show attracted over 20,000 people. The three-day event featured showcase gardens and workshops including ideas focused on sustainability. Those at the VIP event included: Mary Lou See, an OHS volunteer; Jane Morrison, the OHS Corporate Relations Manager; Jane Harris, OHS Donor Relations Manager; Akin Blitz, OHS Board of Trustees member; and Jenni Nowak, a OHS volunteer.
Lucy Hardiman worked on the Yard Garden and Patio Show committee, Valerie Easton is a Seattle Garden Writer, Jim Rondone is the President of Hardy Plants Society of Oregon, and Linda Wisner is a board member on the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon.
For 145 years OHS has been sheltering abandoned animals, fighting cruelty and neglect, and working to build a caring, compassionate community here in Oregon. Although we have thousands of members and 1,500 volunteers, we are really nothing more than a single person saying ‘Yes, I want to help.’
Here, you can learn how to adopt a pet, report animal cruelty, lend a helping hand to animals, and much more. OHS is not affiliated with any other local or national organization and receives no tax dollars; our work is made possible only by the generosity of people like yourself.
Portland, March 5th, 2014. Central City Concern gathered Art Task Force members, donors, artists and staff to celebrate the installation completion. Volunteers like Art Task Force members Carole Romm, Kathleen Stephenson-Kuhn and Pam Baker worked for two years to fill the walls of the nonprofit serving homeless people. They secured 40 original works of art by Northwest artists. Art Task Force member, Jeanine Jablonski led the installation work over the past three Sundays working with other volunteers. The group of 120+ party goers were deeply impressed with the quality of artwork and Central City Concern is grateful for the many hours of tireless effort required to make this project a reality.
CCC Executive Director Ed Blackburn shares the story of how the Old Town Recovery Center’s building came to be constructed and completed in 2011.
Artist George Johanson with his work ‘Eden.’
Mary Josephson’s ‘It Can’t be True.’
William Park’s ‘I’m Ready to Talk Now.’
Baba Wagué Diakité’s ‘The Fishermen and the Helpers’
Central City Concern was founded in 1979 and addresses the root causes of homelessness: addictions, mental illness and unemployment.
Mission:
Ending homelessness and achieving self-sufficiency.
CCC serves approximately 13,000 individuals and families in the Portland area yearly with affordable housing, addiction treatment and recovery services, primary and mental health care, affordable housing and employment development.
Portland, February 23rd, 2014. The Mittleman Jewish Community Center (MJCC) marked its 100th birthday at the annual “Friends of the Center” Dinner. Gayle Schnitzer Romain was honored for her dedication and commitment to the MJCC. Family members were on hand to honor Gayle including: Lois Schnitzer, Jill Edelson, Dina Meier, honoree Gayle Romain, Laura Rosencrantz, Sandra Schnitzer and Marti Spitzer.
Josh Frankel presented the 2014 Harry Glickman Scholar Athlete Awards to Shea Northfield and Brendan Edelson.
Ruben Menashe, Jeanne and Phyllis Newmark, Roberta Weinstein and Sandy Weinstein were inducted into the Oregon Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. The evening was a success raising over $138,000 toward Center operations.
Attendees enjoyed the “backyard” of the Jewish community by hoola hooping.
Amy and Doug Blauer were the emcees for the evening.
Judy Margles, Executive Director of the Oregon Jewish Museum, presented the history of the MJCC for the last 100 years.
From MJCC:
A Rich Legacy…A Vibrant Future
Since its founding in 1914, Portland’s Jewish community center has provided a wide variety of social, cultural, educational and recreational programming. Today, the Mittleman Jewish Community Center (MJCC) is the core of Portland’s Jewish community– we also offer a welcoming gathering space that is open to our neighbors and people of all faiths.
Our Journey Began in the Early 20th Century
In 1910, the B’nai B’rith Building Association in Portland decided to establish a Jewish community center. The original two-story building, located on Thirteenth Avenue between Market and Mill streets, opened to the community in 1914.
The Jewish Community Center came to life as a beloved gathering place for its members. There was something for everyone in the family to enjoy: meeting facilities, classrooms, athletic facilities, a library, and a billiard room. It was truly a hub of activity, with events ranging from B’nai B’rith Orchestra performances to High Holiday services for the Sephardic community.
Many generations of Jewish Portlanders fondly recall the dances, swimming lessons, social clubs, basketball games, fundraisers, and summer camp activities that were hosted or organized by the center.
We Expanded to Meet Growing Needs
The center moved to its current location in 1971. In 1976, member Harry Mittleman made a generous donation which allowed the community center to retire the building’s mortgage. In acknowledgement of his philanthropy, the center was renamed to honor Harry’s wife, Helen.
The center has expanded over the years: in 1987 a wing was added to accommodate the Portland Jewish Academy, and in 1996 the EarlyChildhood Learning Center was created.
In 2005-07, the building underwent a major renovation, refreshing PJA and adding:
New lobby and café for MJCC
New ballroom with state of the art audio visual capabilities
New locker rooms, spa facilities and cardio-weight room;
Family changing rooms;
New exercise rooms and renovated gymnasium.
We’re a Center for Today’s Community
We are proud to continue our tradition as a center for Jewish life while offering a welcoming environment for all of our neighbors. More than 1,000 people come through our doors daily for classes, athletic activities, meetings, special events, and programs.
People come to the MJCC for services and programs open to the public and found nowhere else in Oregon or southwestern Washington, including community-wide secular Jewish celebrations and performances; Jewish community orchestra and klezmer performances and family activities.
We are immensely proud to offer Jewish cultural arts and social programs; premier fitness and wellness facilities open to all; beautifully-appointed public areas and rental spaces; day camp; programs that serve the elderly, infirm and disabled; and Oregon’s only kosher café.
Our Legacy is the Foundation for Our Future
Since its founding nearly 100 years ago, the Mittleman Jewish Community Center has served the social, cultural, educational and recreation needs of Portland families without regard to religion, background or ability to pay.
Although the MJCC’s stated mission is to fulfill these needs for Portland’s Jewish community, we have always interpreted that imperative to encompass the entire Portland community. This history of service to a diverse, broad-based community, informed by the Jewish imperative of tikkun olam (repairing the world; making the world a better place) infuses the MJCC’s spirit today.
Throughout the decades, the MJCC has evolved into a “living room” for our community. Every day, the MJCC’s programs impact Oregonians’ quality of life; every day, we see ways in which the impacts of our program will be felt by future generations.
For many of Portland’s Jewish community, it is their center for Jewish living and bears the memories of those who enjoyed the original 1914 facility as well as our modern campus. The MJCC is a link in the chain of generations.
We Provide a Welcoming Environment for All
The MJCC, which has historically been involved with social service organizations, continues to work in partnership with groups such asCedar Sinai Park, Cancer Care Resources, Red Cross, OHSU MedicalSchool, and others. We also provide meeting space for local nonprofits at low cost – whether it is a local women’s soccer organization, a Muslim group seeking a space to hold a holiday celebration or a flu shot clinic staffed by OHSU medical students.
We hope that you will come to visit the MJCC – explore our facilities, meet our members, and consider becoming part of the center. We welcome the entire community and we hope to be part of the fabric of your family’s life.
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