Portland, November 8th. Close to 500 people joined together at the Portland Art Museum to support Central City Concern. The event raised $270,000 for Homeless Action Fund for Self-Sufficiency. CCC volunteers at check-in: Danielle Lawrence, Krista Matsell and Claudia Krueger. (Photo Credit, Andie Petkus)
Central City Concern Executive Director Ed Blackburn, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish
Longtime staff member Billy Anfield and past client Fletcher Nash
Central City Concern Executive Director Ed Blackburn and Governor John Kitzhaber
With generous sponsor support and stellar honorees, our luncheon was warmly received by about 500 people!
CCC Board member Jonathan Radmacher and CCC Director of Public Affairs Dedee Wilner-Nugent
Central City Concern meets its mission through innovative outcome based strategies which support personal and community transformation.
Direct access to housing which supports lifestyle change.
Integrated healthcare services that are highly effective in engaging people who are often alienated from mainstream systems.
The development of peer relationships that nurture and support personal transformation and recovery.
Attainment of income through employment or accessing benefits.
The success of these four elements results in an transformation of world view and self image from a negative to a positive outlook, enabling people to become productive citizens who want to “give something back” to the community
Central City Concern (CCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency serving single adults and families in the Portland metro area who are impacted by homelessness, poverty and addictions. Founded in 1979, the agency has developed a comprehensive continuum of affordable housing options integrated with direct social services including healthcare, recovery and employment. CCC currently has a staff of 600+, an annual operating budget of $41 million and serves more than 13,000 individuals annually.
Portland, November 9th. More than 400 of Portland’s finest packed the Portland Art Museum to raise over $288,000 for DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital. Beverly Young celebrates wildly after winning an exhilarating live auction bidding war to claim a surprise behind-the-scenes auction package for the hit NBC television series, Grimm. (Photo Credit, K&K Graphics and Erik Schultz of Rad Photography)
The sold-out gala and fashion show benefited Portland’s Nonprofit Emergency Animal Hospital’s Unrestricted Fund, which supports the hospitals donor-funded community programs, including one of America’s largest volunteer-based animal blood banks, a nationally recognized pet loss support program, 24-hour stabilizing care for lost, stray, abused and wild animals, and financial assistance for low income families.
The highly anticipated mystery model, Azazyel a six-month-old Nigerian Dwarf Goat, strutted in a one-of-a-kind jacket designed by Lifetime’s Project Runway winner Seth Aaron Henderson. Azazyel was accompanied by his owner and DoveLewis Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Lee Harold.
Over 400 guests raised a glass to celebrate DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital at the inaugural DoveAdore featuring Boutiques Unleashed gala event.
Event emcees; KPTV’s Wayne Garcia and Kimberly Maus, hosted the event which combined a dinner, live and silent auction and Boutiques Unleashed, a fashion show for both ends of the leash.
Visionary DoveLewis donor, Howard Hedinger, celebrated with guests, Morgan Lutgens and Annie Heisey.
Chez Joly Catering hosted a table for the evening with guests; Charles Frasier, Annette Joly, Chrys Martin, Christian Joly, Dawn Davis, Steve Rickles and Jack Pessia.
Charlie Swindells, representing the Ann and Bill Swindells Charitable Trust, raises his paddle during the live appeal. The Ann and Bill Swindells Charitable Trust generously offered a $100,000 matching gift to the DoveLewis building fund over the next year.
Oregon Ballet Theater’s Principal Ballerina, Allison Roper, walked with Twinkie in the Boutiques Unleashed fashion show.
Many local celebrities graced the runway, including KGW’s Drew Carney who shared the spotlight with Zoey the dog.
Crowd favorite, Rojo the Llama, and his handler Shannon Gregory made an appearance at this year’s fashion show. Rojo, a certified therapy animal, is a regular at many DoveLewis events.
“The compassion and generosity of the Portland community never ceases to amaze me,” says Ron Morgan, DoveLewis Chief Executive Officer. “To sell out the event and see so many people turn out to support the work we do in the community is truly amazing. We couldn’t be happier.”
This year, the re-imagined event put a fashionable spin on the typical gala and featured a dinner, exhilarating live and silent auctions, and culminated with the outrageously popular Boutiques Unleashed fashion show for both ends of the leash. KPTV personalities Kimberly Maus and Wayne Garcia emceed the event which featured special runway celebrities; KGW’s Drew Carney, K103FM’s morning radio personalities Bruce Murdock, John Erickson and Janine Wolf, KOIN’s Jenny Hansson, and The Oregon Ballet Theatre’s Principal Ballerina Allison Roper. The night’s special surprise model, a six-month-old Nigerian Dwarf Goat named Azazyel, made a fashionable statement in a one-of-a-kind ensemble designed by Lifetime’s Project Runway winner Seth Aaron Henderson.
About DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital
DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital, established in 1973 and based in Portland, Ore., is the only nonprofit, 24-Hour Emergency and Intensive Care Unit in the region. DoveLewis provides donor-funded programs to the community including one of the United States’ largest volunteer-based animal blood banks, a nationally recognized pet loss support program, 24-hour stabilizing care for lost, stray and wild animals and financial assistance for qualifying low-income families and abused animals. For more information, please visit dovelewis.org.
Portland, November 5th. A diverse group of 370 people gathered for the 8th annual Scholar Awards Luncheon. The Achievement Rewards for College Scientists or ARCS Foundation Portland Chapter honored 46 graduate students from OHSU School of Medicine and Oregon State University in the College of Engineering, the College of Forestry, and the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. Each ARCS scholar received $18,000 in an unrestricted grant, payable over three years. (Photo credit, Jennifer Smith)
ARCS Foundation Portland Chapter members, guests and scholars to its annual luncheon.
ARCS Foundation Portland Chapter President Jean Josephson stands with ARCS Scholars.
Keynote Speaker Dr. Kent Thornburg of OHSU held everyone’s attention with his topic of “Nutrition Therapy: the Next Generation Medicine.”
Kent Thornburg, Ph.D., Professor and Associate Chief for Research in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at OHSU, and interim director of the Bob and Charlee Moore Institute for Nutrition and Wellness
ARCS Scholar Speaker Colby Mangini, Kyla Mangini, and Bob Moore of Bob’s Red Mill.
The scholar speaker was Colby Mangini, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Health Physics at Oregon State. Mangini is the recipient of the Sally and Cecil Drinkward Scholar Award. Since 2005, the Portland Chapter has supported 109 scholars pursuing their Ph.D.s at OHSU and Oregon State University.
The Presenting Sponsors of the luncheon were Hoffman Construction with Wayne and Julie Drinkward, OHSU and Oregon State University and the OSU Foundation. Thanks go to all the luncheon sponsors – a combined $56,500 supported the luncheon and ARCS mission. Because of their support, 100% of the luncheon’s donations go directly to the scholar award fund.
Keynote speaker Kent Thornburg is director of the Heart Research Center at OHSU, as well as interim director of the Bob and Charlee Moore Institute for Nutrition and Wellness at OHSU. The Moores attended the luncheon and were able to enjoy the Bob’s Red Mill quinoa that was served with both the salmon and vegetarian entrée options by Vibrant Table.
ARCS Foundation Portland has grown from 65 members in 2004 to more than 100 members. Members continue to work to uphold America’s position as a world-class power in science.
A few bold and pioneering women recognized the potential for the ARCS Foundation in Oregon in 2002. They set about launching the Portland Chapter, dedicated to enhancing America’s national and local capacity for research and innovation in science and technology by financially assisting students who demonstrate high scholastic ability.
Organization of the Chapter began in late fall 2003 with a meeting at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). At that meeting, the ARCS Foundation National New Chapter Development Committee laid out the vision and work of ARCS Foundation to five Portland women, hoping to interest them in starting a Portland Chapter of ARCS. Nancy Fischer, Sharon Hewitt, Mary Ann Lockwood, Ellen Richardson and Cornelia Stevens enthusiastically committed, and ARCS Foundation Portland was on its way.
In December 2003 the first introductory tea was held in the Old Library at OHSU, where Judith Miller, ARCS Foundation national president; Peter Kohler, OHSU president; and an ARCS scholar from the Seattle Chapter spoke to a group of 50 women about the importance of ARCS Foundation to the future of science in America. The presentation was so powerful that membership grew from five to 45 women in one afternoon. Another tea followed in January 2004. In May, the Portland Chapter was incorporated and received its 501(c)(3) status from the State of Oregon. In June of that same year the chapter was chartered with 65 members. Sharon Hewitt was elected the first Portland Chapter president.
OHSU was approved for funding by ARCS National Foundation in October 2005, and the first Portland Chapter scholar awards were granted to 11 PhD students in the Schools of Medicine and Nursing, and in the Oregon Graduate Institute. In September 2008, with approval from ARCS Foundation National, PhD students in the College of Engineering at Oregon State University (OSU) began receiving scholar awards. The OSU College of Forestry and College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences were added as participating programs in October 2010.
Portland, November 19th. Being the doc on call when an elephant goes into labor is not a job for the faint-hearted. Mitch Finnegan, the zoo’s senior veterinarian, knows: He was present 18 years ago at the birth of Rose-Tu, and four years ago at the birth of Samudra, her first calf at the Oregon Zoo.
“That last birth easily took a year off my life,” Dr. Finnegan said. “I hope this one goes easier.”
Samudra, born Aug. 23, 2008, had a rough start to life. Topping 280 pounds at birth, he was a large baby, which contributed to a long and difficult labor for Rose-Tu. Rose-Tu, who had never experienced a birth before, became confused and agitated after delivering her baby, which can happen with first-time mothers. Keepers quickly intervened to prevent any harm to the baby. They then worked around the clock during the calf’s first week of life to help ensure the critical mother-calf bond became a strong one.
“Rose had never experienced a birth before, so we think she may have been confused by what was happening,” Finnegan said. “She was the last elephant born at the zoo until her own calf arrived. This time, we think things will go much better.”
Still, with Rose-Tu just weeks — perhaps days — away from giving birth again, Dr. Finnegan and the rest of the zoo’s elephant-care team are doing their best to make sure they’re ready for anything.
“We’re expecting the best and preparing for the worst,” Finnegan said. “We’ll have several carts of equipment and hopefully we’ll use none of it.”
Last week, emergency medical supplies were assembled at the elephant barn in preparation for the birth. Medications are on hand in case labor needs to be induced. Oxygen is available in case the newborn calf shows any signs of difficulty breathing.
There can be complications to both mother and calf, according to Finnegan. One major risk to both is dystocia, or a difficult labor. Elephants are prone to a form of dystocia in which their labor stalls, requiring veterinarians to administer medications to stimulate the uterus in order for labor to continue.
But such a move brings another risk.
“Normally, elephants are delivered rear feet first,” Finnegan said. “In very large animals like elephants, it’s sometimes difficult to know whether the calf is positioned normally. Palpation and ultrasound are our best tools, but they provide relatively limited information in elephants compared to smaller animals like horses or dogs. The risk is that if drugs are used to stimulate labor and the baby is malpositioned, intense contractions could tear the uterus. Since we often don’t have all the information we would like, it can be a harrowing experience if labor does not progress normally and medical intervention is necessary.”
Ultrasound, Finnegan says, offers too small a field of view, so he relies on an age-old, hands-on veterinary approach. If labor stops progressing, he will examine Rose-Tu, feeling inside her for the calf’s feet and toes, so he can determine how best to help labor proceed.
But if labor proceeds normally, Finnegan will keep out of Rose-Tu’s sight.
“Ideally we’ll leave her alone and only have people in the barn that she’s really comfortable with,” he said. “As much as possible, we want it to be just another day for her. Animals are very good at sensing our emotions and stress, so we want everyone to be upbeat and mellow.”
For months, the zoo’s elephant-care staff has been working with Rose-Tu to ensure she is calm, comfortable and confident on the big day. All that training and preparation — along with Rose-Tu’s own experience as a mother, the presence of other elephants and the staff who has cared for her for years — give Rose-Tu the best possible chances for the outcome everyone is hoping for: a healthy, strong calf.
The Oregon Zoo is recognized worldwide for its successful breeding program for Asian elephants, which has now spanned 50 years. Rose-Tu’s mother, Me-Tu, was the second elephant born at the zoo (just months after Packy in 1962), and her grandmother, Rosy, was the first elephant ever to live in Oregon.
Asian elephants are considered highly endangered in their range countries, threatened by habitat loss and conflict with humans. According to estimates, fewer than 40,000 may remain in fragmented populations from India to Borneo.
The Oregon Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, whose species survival plan for Asian elephants is striving to establish a self-sustaining population in North America.
The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission of inspiring the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California condors, Oregon silverspot and Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies, western pond turtles and Oregon spotted frogs. Other projects include studies on Asian elephants, polar bears, orangutans and giant pandas. The zoo relies in part on community support through donations to the Oregon Zoo Foundation to undertake these and many other animal welfare, education and sustainability programs.
The zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown Portland, just off Highway 26. The zoo is also accessible by MAX light rail line. Visitors who travel to the zoo via MAX receive $1.50 off zoo admission. Call TriMet Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE (7433), or visit www.trimet.org for fare and route information.
General zoo admission is $10.50 (ages 12-64), $9 for seniors (65 and up), $7.50 for children (ages 3-11) and free for those 2 and younger; 25 cents of the admission price helps fund regional conservation projects through the zoo’s Future for Wildlife program. A parking fee of $4 per car is also required. Additional information is available at www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-226-1561.
Beaverton, November 14th. The staff, Board of Directors, and clients of local non-profit, Edwards Center, Inc. came to Beaverton Toyota to receive a very special donation: a custom, wheelchair-accessible 2013 Toyota Sienna Mobility. The Aloha-based Edwards Center has been working to support adults with developmental disabilities, such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other conditions, since 1972. However, despite having a sizable vehicle fleet to meet the needs of nearly 300 Oregonians with disabilities and 40 years of service, this is their first new car. (Photo credit, Betty Coulson)
Lisa K., Edwards Center client; Heather Self, Edwards Center Residential Manager.
Clients, client family, staff, and Board of Directors of Edwards Center.
All of this was possible through the generosity of Toyota, Beaverton Toyota, and Toyota Financial Services through the 100 Cars for Good Campaign. Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program solicited 5,000 applications from non-profits around the US, of which 500 were selected. Each day for 100 days, 5 deserving non-profits competed to win the most votes through a Facebook app, with Toyota donating a brand new vehicle to the winning organization. Through the hard work and determination of their staff, Board, client family, vendors, business partners, and the Portland-area community, Edwards Center was able to win their voting day.
Monique Jackson, Toyota; Jessica Leitner, Edwards Center; Jean Edwards, Edwards Center; Russ Humberston, Jr., Beaverton Toyota; Ann Humberston, Beaverton Toyota.
Jeff Greer, Edwards Center Personnel Manager; Kevin K., Edwards Center client; Heather Self, Edwards Center Residential Manager.
In addition to this new vehicle, Toyota Financial Services surprised everyone in attendance by providing an additional 10,000 mile, 6 year maintenance contract. The vehicle was locally retrofitted for wheelchair access by longtime Performance Mobility, of whom Edwards Center has been a customer for many years. Besides the organization’s staff and Board of Directors, the residents of Edwards Center’s Oak Street residence were especially excited to receive the new van. The 5 ladies of Oak Street were featured prominently in the video that accompanied Edwards Center’s voting page on the 100 Cars for Good Facebook app and their story was a major part in the success of Edwards Center’s voting campaign.
It is our mission to enhance the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities by helping them reach their highest potential through training, education, employment, housing and social opportunities in safe, healthy and stimulating environments.
We believe that every individual has their own unique potential and that they deserve the opportunity to reach it. So we provide the motivation, encouragement and support to help them do just that.
We work tirelessly to erase the lines of perception that separate the “abled” from the disabled, which is what makes us such a driving force in preserving the dignity and independence of the developmentally disabled – not just in Oregon, but in the nation.
Portland, October 28th. Together We Make Life Sweeter! That was the message from co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Jerry Greenfield; he’s on the right of Marc Blattner, Jewish Federation President and CEO. (Photo credit, LeeAnn Gauthier) Nearly 500 friends gathered to hear Greenfield at the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland’s Annual Kickoff fundraiser. Supporters celebrated the community’s compassion and strength, indulged in innovative ideas and desserts. The 2013 Annual Campaign launched with a 16% increase over last year, making the current campaign total $778,442.
Mark and Lauren Goldstein, 2013 Campaign Kick-Off Chair, Susan and Stuart Shleifer
The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland’s 2013 Annual Campaign kick-off included messages of social responsibility, radical business philosophy, and loads of ice cream. Co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, Inc., Greenfield has helped to build a store front venture into a $300 million ice cream empire by making social responsibility and creative management strengths instead of weaknesses.
Anne and Max share their story about Federation partner agency B’nai B’rith Camp’s Kehilah program
Supporters of the campaign light up the room.
Supporters of the campaign filled the Gerding Theater at the Armory.
From Jewish Federation of Greater Portland:
For almost a century, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland has been raising funds to meet the ongoing needs of the community with an innovative approach and an unparalleled record of success. By working with a broad cross section of community members to raise and distribute funds, we ensure that the programs, institutions and values that enrich our Jewish community remain vibrant and strong. Our constituency includes the more than 45,000 Jews living in the Greater Portland and SW Washington areas. Federation funds and supports a community-wide network of organizations that focus on two critical things: caring for people in need here at home, in Israel and around the world and nurturing and sustaining the Jewish community today and for future generations.
Portland, November 16th. The Oregon Zoo’s two year remodel on the Penguinarium is over and the playful Penguins are happy to be home!
For much of the past two years, the penguins shared a divided portion of the zoo’s polar bear habitat while improvements were made to their own quarters. This week the sleek seabirds returned home, waddling over the familiar rocky terrain and darting through the clear water of the zoo’s Penguinarium. The popular exhibit will reopen to the public on Saturday, Nov. 17.
Senior bird keeper Gwen Harris tends to a Humboldt penguin at the Oregon Zoo. The birds have returned to their home in the zoo’s Penguinarium, which reopens this weekend. Photo by Kevin Brown, courtesy of the Oregon Zoo.
The birds had been moved to their temporary habitat in late 2010, allowing work to begin on a much-needed upgrade of the Penguinarium’s water-filtration system, one of many sustainability improvements funded by the community-supported 2008 zoo bond measure. The upgrade saves 7 million gallons of water each year.
Built in 1959 and remodeled in 1982, the Penguinarium had an outdated water-filtration system that dumped millions of gallons of water into the city’s sewer system each year. A constant flow of fresh water was required to keep the pool clean and free of scum that builds up from the oils in penguin feathers. And each week, the 25,000-gallon pool was completely drained for cleaning.
“The filtration upgrade was completed in December 2011 and worked perfectly,” said curator Michael Illig, who oversees all the zoo’s birds. “It was cleaning and circulating beautiful clear water.”
When staff turned on the exhibit’s 20-year-old heating and air conditioning system in anticipation of the penguins’ return, however, they found it wasn’t functioning properly.
“Since the penguins were already comfortable in their temporary digs, it was a good opportunity to repair the system with no impact to the birds or zoo visitors,” Illig said. “We wanted to make sure their home was 100 percent ready when they moved back.”
Also moving back home this month were 15 Inca terns, South American seabirds that share an exhibit space with penguins at the zoo. (The two species coexist in the wild as well.) The terns had been waiting out the renovations in an enclosure that had housed orangutans prior to the 2010 opening of Red Ape Reserve.
“It’s great to have the birds back together in their own space,” said Gwen Harris, the zoo’s senior keeper of birds. “Their welfare has always been our primary concern. Now the water’s clean and clear, and we’ve made a far more environmentally friendly habitat.”
Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti), which live along the South American coastline off of Peru and Chile, were granted protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 2010. Of the world’s 17 penguin species, Humboldts are the most at risk, threatened by overfishing of their prey species, entanglement in fishing nets, and breeding disruption due to commercial removal of the guano deposits where the penguins lay their eggs. Their population is estimated at 12,000 breeding pairs.
The Oregon Zoo participates in a Species Survival Plan to cooperatively manage Humboldt populations.
The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission of inspiring the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California condors, Oregon silverspot and Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies, western pond turtles and Oregon spotted frogs. Other projects include studies on Asian elephants, polar bears, orangutans and giant pandas. The zoo relies in part on community support through donations to the Oregon Zoo Foundation to undertake these and many other animal welfare, education and sustainability programs.
The zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown Portland, just off Highway 26. The zoo is also accessible by MAX light rail line. Visitors who travel to the zoo via MAX receive $1.50 off zoo admission. Call TriMet Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE (7433), or visit www.trimet.org for fare and route information.
Through Jan. 31, general zoo admission is $10.50 (ages 12-64), $9 for seniors (65 and up), $7.50 for children (ages 3-11) and free for those 2 and younger; 25 cents of the admission price helps fund regional conservation projects through the zoo’s Future for Wildlife program. A parking fee of $4 per car is also required. Additional information is available at www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-226-1561.
West Linn, October 27th. WildCat Haven celebrated its 11th Anniversary with a benefit gala at the Oregon Golf Club. (Photo credit, Karine Aigner) The nonprofit is the only local sanctuary for big cats where supporters are happy to report, “Over 60 wildcats are no longer suffering from pain and neglect – they are living a safe, healthy, comfortable life.” It was a packed house at the auction with Scott Tom from 106.7 presiding as emcee.
Mike & Cheryl Tuller, Founders of WildCat Haven, spoke of their passion for the big cats. They shared information about WCH’s mission and presented a video showing the new property recently purchased to move the sanctuary to, which is over 80 acres.
Tim Harrison explains the program
Ken Hick
Howard Hedinger Table’s was an upbeat spot
Howard Hedinger was transformed into a philenthropic rockstar
There was a great turnout at the benefit.
cougar resident
Adele Tom and Elizabeth Entenman
Guest have fun with the Conga line
Cheri Cooley Hick and Scott Tom
Cheri Cooley Hick and Scott Tom
Sophia Kryszek, John Prengaman, Karine Aigner, Tim Harrison, Cheryl Tuller, Mike Tuller and Tim Adams in front.
Wild Cat Red Wine
Folks were glued to their seats when Special Guest Speaker, Tim Harrison, star of the Genesis award winning documentary, “The Elephant in the Living Room” introduced the WCH video showing the wildcat rescues and then gave an impassioned speech about WCH’s most recent rescue of Nora & Katie, two bengal tigers from Ohio this past May. Tim & his team from Outreach for Animals were on site to help Mike & Cheryl prepare and load the tigers for the 2500 miles journey back to Oregon. Tim shared that International Fund for Animals (IFAW) helped with costs for the transport and are continuing to work with WCH for future rescue missions. Scott Tom & Cheri Hick presented a Special Appeal to raise funds for the new property and started the fun with a Conga Line! Simply ‘A Purrfect Evening!”
From WildCat Haven:
WildCat Haven is a 501(c)3 non-profit, no-kill, ‘last hope’ sanctuary located in beautiful Sherwood, Oregon. Our mission is to provide a safe, natural lifetime home for captive-born wildcats in need. As the only sanctuary accredited by The American Sanctuary Association(ASA) in the Pacific Northwest, WildCat Haven is not open to the public; nor do we buy, sell, breed or exhibit our animals. It’s a philosophy we believe in and stand by for the safety and well being of the wildcats.
We are not a zoo for people but a safe haven for the animals in our care. Our rescues depend on us to provide for them. They trust we will keep them safe, comfortable, healthy and free from the pain and suffering they have experienced. And we are committed to fulfilling that trust every day. WildCat Haven receives no state or federal funding. Instead, we rely 100% on private donations.
WildCat Haven Sanctuary is proud and honored to announce the FREE screening of the film The Paw Project – A Documentary which will be held at The Mission Theater in Portland Oregon on November 18th, 2012 from 1 pm to 3 pm. The Paw Project documentary is an inspiring David and Goliath story of veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Conrad’s grassroots movement to protect felines, both large and small, from the cruelty of declawing and how the movement has prevailed despite the efforts of well-funded professional veterinary associations to thwart the movement.
In the United States today, approximately 25% of domesticated cats are declawed. Declawing is the amputation of the last bone in a cat’s toes. Despite the physical and behavioral harm inflicted on cats who are declawed, many veterinarians continue to recommend the procedure — which costs upwards of $1,200 per hour – even for very young kittens.
These are animals we love, and with whom we share our homes. Why aren’t we being told the truth of what the declawing procedure involves? What goes on when the vet takes our beloved companions in the back of the veterinary clinic? The Paw Project documentary chronicles the happy and unexpected twist of fate that led to the protection of many animals through the grassroots advocacy led by Dr. Conrad and The Paw Project. Please watch the trailer for The Paw Project Documentary and join us November 18th. Let’s show Dr. Conrad that she has Portland’s support on this issue! This film has been submitted to The Sundance Film Festival, so now is your chance to see it before it goes mainstream! http://www.wildcathaven.org/
Portland, November 15th. If you’re looking for holiday entertainment from one of Portland’s many outstanding theater companies, Artists Rep has an unique offering starting November 27th. Our favorite quirky, Scrooge-infused inquisitor and his host of supernatural visitors return this holiday season with a remount of Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol, crafted by Seattle veteran playwright John Longenbaugh. In this caper through time, Dr. Watson rallies to cheer Holmes into celebrating the holiday season but the unrepentant, ill-tempered detective resists until he is forced to deduce the facts and solve the most important mystery of his own life – past, present and future.
This production offers an opportunity to revisit the script, shift focus and go a little deeper into the overall theme of the universal spirit of the season with returning and new cast members. Michael Mendelson will reprise his role of Sherlock in this 2012 production; he is joined by new cast members Tim Blough as Dr. Watson, Jane Fellows as Mrs. Hudson and Melissa Whitney as Becky – full cast list below. The play premiered at Taproot Theatre Company in Seattle to standing room only houses for the 2010 holidays and had its second production as Artists Rep’s 2012 holiday show.
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol with Tobias Andersen and Michael Mendelson
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol
Written by: John Longenbaugh
Directed by: Jon Kretzu
Performance Dates: November 27 – December 30
Wednesday through Sunday at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2pm
Wednesday matinee at 11am on Dec. 19
Opening Night is Friday, Nov. 30
John Longenbaugh has been writing and directing plays in Seattle and elsewhere for over 20 years. A graduate of London’s Central School of Speech and Drama, he’s been the artistic director of Ursa Major Theatre and Theatre Babylon, and has written nearly a dozen full-length plays and a lot of shorter ones. Favorites include Scotch and Donuts, Little White Pill, The Man Who Was Thursday (staged at Taproot in 2002), How to be Cool, and the collected evening of shorts Arcana, recently staged at Open Circle Theatre. He is a proud member of The Dramatist Guild and The Sound of the Baskervilles.
Jon Kretzu, Director
Jon Kretzu has directed 50 productions in almost 20 years at Artists Rep including the world premieres of Tracy Letts’ Three Sisters, Marc Acito and C.S Whitcomb’s Holidazed, Joseph Fisher’s The Seagull, The New House and (I Am Still) The Duchess of Malfi, and Richard Kramer’s adaptation of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard. He has also directed Next to Normal, Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, A Streetcar Named Desire, The History Boys, Othello, Design For Living, All My Sons, Speech and Debate, Orson’s Shadow, The Retreat from Moscow, Mr. Marmalade, Assassins, Humble Boy, Death of a Salesman, Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge, The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?, The Laramie Project, Dinner with Friends, Master Class, Present Laughter, A Question of Mercy, Indiscretions, Keely and Du, Love! Valour! Compassion!, Breaking the Code, Chaps!, The Sea, The Normal Heart, The Destiny of Me, Buried Child, The Artificial Jungle, Three Tall Women (USIA International Tour) and co-directed House and Garden with Allen Nause. Other Portland directing credits include Cloud 9 at Theatre Vertigo, Dracula for Northwest Classical Theatre Company, The Carpetbagger’s Children for Profile Theatre, Guys and Dolls for The Musical Theatre Company, Romeo and Juliet, A Winter’s Tale, Much Ado About, Nothing and As You Like It for Tygres Heart Shakespeare Company, Waiting for Vern, Jeffrey, Bent and The Sum of Us for triangle productions!, Broadway Bound and Hay Fever for Portland Repertory Theatre, The Importance of Being Earnest for New Rose Theatre, The Mystery of Irma Vep for Storefront Theatre and Down the Road for the Oregon One-Act Festival. Jon has also directed numerous productions in Seattle, Milwaukee, San Francisco, Chicago and Los Angeles. Jon recently directed the final workshop production of It Shoulda Been You at the Village Theatre before it heads to Broadway in the Spring.
Artists Repertory Theatre
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol is presented with support from the United Airlines and OPSIS Architecture. The 2012/13 Artists Repertory Theatre season is presented by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. Premiere season sponsors are Ronni Lacroute/WillaKenzie Estate and The Oregonian. Season hotel sponsors are Mark Spencer Hotel and Hotel deLuxe. The 2012/13 radio sponsor is KINK.FM. Other support comes from Regional Arts Culture Council, Work for Art, Oregon Arts Commission, Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation, All Classical and Maletis Beverage. Now celebrating its 30th season, Artists Repertory Theatre is the longest-running professional theatre company in Portland. Artists Rep strives to challenge artists and audiences with plays of depth and vibrancy in an intimate setting. Artists Rep explores the strengths, frailties, and diversity of the human condition primarily through regional premieres, commissioned works and selected classics appropriate to contemporary issues.
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Information submitted by Nicole A. Lane, Artists Repertory Theatre
Salem, November 9th. The 2012 Oregon Governor’s Volunteer Awards honored 14 individuals and 12 organizations from throughout the state for their commitment to serving Oregon and its people, including FIRST Robotics (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) which has an ambitious mission: to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders.
“Oregon is made richer by the contributions of our talented and compassionate citizens,” said Gov. John Kitzhaber. “These award winners represent the best of the state—people who give their time, energy, and resources to lifting up others and making Oregon a better place to live.”
The annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards honor ordinary Oregonians who do extraordinary things and also inspire and motivate future volunteerism. Nominations were received from all over the state and were carefully evaluated by appointed review committees. Winners will receive cash grants from Wells Fargo to give to their favorite nonprofit group.
Those honored included The Oregon Coast Aquarium volunteers:
Newport The Oregon Coast Aquarium isn’t just a popular tourist destination. Not only do Aquarium volunteers work to inspire the public to better understand, cherish, and conserve marine and coastal ecosystems while in the center, they also travel across the state to bring educational programs to audiences who typically cannot make it to the coast.
FIRST Robotics volunteer mentors build science, engineering, and technology skills, inspire innovation, and foster life-long skills including self-confidence, communication, and leadership. FIRST relies on thousands of industry volunteers to mentor and coach 6-18 year olds through the incredible task of designing, building, and programming robots for competitions. These volunteers not only help young people build STEM skills, they also mentor, guide, encourage, and inspire hope and a bright future. FIRST has reached over 5,000 students across the state, including students in the Portland metro area, Brookings, Klamath Falls, Monroe, Baker City, Umatilla, Seaside, and Vernonia. Umatilla School District Superintendent Heidi Sipe reported that after three months on the robotics team, students affiliated with gangs no longer had Facebook postings with gang symbols or references to drugs, but instead had postings about robots. Sipe described Oregon FIRST Robotics as, “Robotics, changing lives!”
Clyde Mullin – Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Achievement AwardOregon State Library & Salem-Keizer Meals on Wheels Keizer Born in 1917, volunteering has been a truly lifelong commitment for Keizer’s Clyde Mullin. After volunteering for military service during WWII, Clyde and his wife were very active in Portland’s Creston Grade School PTA, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Boy Scouts, and the Mazamas. Over the past 21 years, Clyde has given 8,373 hours to repairing and maintaining Talking Book cassette players for the Oregon State Library’s Talking Book and Braille Services. Since 1994, he has delivered approximately 30,000 meals to seniors and disabled adults while volunteering for the Salem-Keizer Meals on Wheels. His lifetime of service and generosity has created a significant improvement in quality of life for innumerable individuals across Oregon and beyond. In a newspaper interview last year Clyde said, “I just keep going and I enjoy life… I feel like I’m helping somebody.”
Sean Bowden – Outstanding Youth Volunteer AwardMercy Medical Center Youth Volunteer Program Roseburg Many have described teen volunteer Sean Bowden as a natural leader. Not only has he taken leadership roles within the Mercy Medical Center Youth Volunteer Program he also helped found Roseburg High School’s drug prevention team. Sean volunteers weekly in Mercy Medical Center’s Emergency Department and has donated 323 hours since starting in late 2010. He trains new student volunteers in the Emergency Department, conducts outreach to other high schools to promote and strengthen the volunteer program, has chaired several fundraisers to help support the hospital’s health-themed day camp, and has delivered presentations about Mercy’s youth volunteer program at conferences around the country. Sean has made such incredible contributions to his community all while maintaining a 3.8 GPA.
Jeff Klein – Outstanding Adult Volunteer AwardKIDS Center Bend Over the past 20 years Jeff Klein has given over 5,000 hours to improving the lives of vulnerable children and young adults. He has shared his time, energy, and resources through service on the boards of KIDS Center and St. Charles Medical Center Foundation in Bend, and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland. In addition to board service, he has volunteered for the United Way, Miller Elementary in Bend, and as a coach for a variety of youth sports. Jeff currently serves as the Board Chair of KIDS Center, a regional child abuse intervention center, where he has not only increased fundraising success and improved board development but has expanded awareness of child abuse prevention training. As a result, over 40 families have attended training and, as research indicates, over 4,000 children are better protected. Jeff’s enthusiasm for volunteering has been described as contagious and motivating and inspires a passion for volunteerism and philanthropy in his community.
Shirley Carpenter – Outstanding Senior Volunteer AwardFamily Relief Nursery – Volunteers of America Oregon Portland In alignment with her personal mission, “to touch someone’s life,” Portland resident Shirley Carpenter has spent the past 40 years diligently working to improve Oregon communities through volunteer service. Helping serve free meals weekly with Potluck in the Park, delivering countless meals through Meals on Wheels, and helping children be successful students through her hundreds of hours of PTA work are just a few of her many contributions. Currently, Shirley is a volunteer for the Family Relief Nursery, Habitat for Humanity, and the Franklin High School PTA. At the Family Relief Nursery, she has volunteered over 1,800 hours helping vulnerable preschool children thrive through care, encouragement, and education. As a weekly volunteer builder for Habitat for Humanity she has given almost 200 hours in the past year alone. Shirley is a passionate advocate and recruiter for the organizations she volunteers with—friends, family, and neighbors are often so inspired by her enthusiasm that many become volunteers themselves.
Tualatin High School – Job Skills Class – Outstanding Youth Volunteer Program Award Tualatin The Tualatin High School Job Skills Class provides opportunities for students with disabilities to contribute to their community while learning basic life skills. In partnership with the City of Tualatin, some of the program’s activities include making markers for new native tree plantings, matching and sorting laundered gloves from previous plantings, and getting their hands dirty with at least one tree planting per year. The teenage volunteers have increased their civic engagement by helping to beautify their community and create healthy habitats for animals and birds. The Tualatin High School Job Skills Class has helped demonstrate to all students that anyone can contribute, regardless of ability.
Sherman County Emergency Services – Outstanding Volunteer Program Award Moro Sherman County Emergency Services volunteers drop everything at the sound of the pager. Family dinners, holiday events, and birthdays are often missed due to their duty to respond and help those in need. In a small, rural area stricken with wildfires and traffic collisions on one of America’s most dangerous highways, the Fire and Emergency Medical volunteers go above and beyond to provide critical services. In addition to protecting and strengthening their own community, they provide aid to the many travelers on the busy highways which pass through the county. Without the Sherman County Emergency Services volunteers there would be no emergency services available to community members or those who recreate there. Their altruistic dedication to extensive, continued training and dropping everything for an emergency has enabled the Sherman County Emergency Services to save countless lives.
Freelin-Wade – FORCE – Outstanding Business Volunteer Program Award McMinnville In 2011, Freelin-Wade, a plastic tubing manufacturer based in McMinnville, formed a steering committee to expand employee volunteerism and community support from dollars raised to employees engaged. In order to make the greatest impact, each year, the committee, nicknamed “FORCE,” selects one local nonprofit on which to focus all of the company’s volunteerism, fundraising, and community-building efforts. One of the most popular events is community-wide barbecues, with “camaraderie and expanded consciousness served as sides.” All proceeds from these events go to the current nonprofit partner. FORCE’s goal of 100 percent employee engagement was reached in its first year and employee engagement was already at 93 percent by mid-August 2012.
Portland One sunny August Sunday in 1991, several friends decided to share a potluck meal with homeless and hungry people in Portland’s Park Blocks. Fifteen guests shared a meal that first week. Today that same group of friends, now known as Potluck in the Park, serves an average of 450 to 650 guests every week.
The volunteer team has grown, with an astonishing combined total of over 115 years of volunteer hours. Each week volunteers collect over 4,000 pounds of donated food and supplies from a long list of community partners. Despite numerous obstacles, volunteers have never missed serving a meal, never run out of food, and never turned anyone away. Beyond feeding hundreds of hungry Oregonians, this career volunteer group has built a sustained community that connects people from a variety of backgrounds with a shared goal. Portland Commissioner Nick Fish said, “Potluck in the Park is an outstanding example of what caring citizens can do to enrich their community.”
Outstanding Youth Volunteer (age 18 or under)
Ryan HoulbergCity of Tualatin Tualatin Coming from a family serious about volunteerism, Ryan Houlberg was exposed to civic service early and often. As a child, he volunteered at a library and joined his family in daily litter clean-up along the well-traveled greenway behind their Tualatin home. As soon as he was old enough to volunteer on his own, Ryan joined TEAM Tualatin, the city’s summer volunteer work program. After five years with TEAM Tualatin, he is now a tree planting crew leader where he impressively leads groups with as many as 40 adult and child volunteers as they help improve and beautify the city with native trees. Ryan also serves on the Youth Advisory Council, which advises the Tualatin City Council on issues of importance to youth. Due to Ryan’s participation in the council, many teens in the community have had a better high school experience. Over his lifetime, Ryan has donated over 800 hours of service to the City of Tualatin.
Outstanding Adult Volunteer (age 19-54)
Khrystyl BestSalem District Bureau of Land Management Mill City Khrystyl Best has been an exemplary volunteer for the Salem District Bureau of Land Management since she started in 2008. In the past four years, she has given more than 6,500 hours. Khrystyl supports the Fishermen’s Bend Recreation Site as an office manager, volunteer manager, and environmental education program coordinator. Along with her administrative duties, Khrystyl has helped thousands of visitors appreciate and learn more about nature in Oregon by answering questions and leading a variety of interpretive programs. In addition to her extensive hours at the bureau, Khrystyl finds time to volunteer with the Santiam Canyon 4-H and scout groups, make weekly visits to the local senior center, and serve as a math tutor for high school students.
Laurie JenkinsLiberty High School’s Liberty Fit Hillsboro Liberty High School’s Liberty Fit was designed to engage and improve quality of life of at-risk students through physical fitness. The program serves over 100 students who train for and participate in a half-marathon. Since 2008, health teacher Laurie Jenkins has volunteered a significant amount of time and energy into getting students up and running, helping them go further than they ever thought they could. Laurie has worked tirelessly to raise funds through organizing a community 15K relay race, writing grants, coordinating an annual rummage sale, and soliciting businesses for donations such as running shoes and race entry fees. In addition to bringing students together, Laurie has successfully encouraged many Liberty staff to run alongside the students. Because of Laurie’s dedication, student participants have reported increased feelings of belonging and greater interest in school.
Theresa PerryHeart of Hospice Foundation Hood River When long-time Heart of Hospice volunteer Theresa Perry was diagnosed with cancer, hospice staff expected her to discontinue her weekly visits. Remarkably, she instead put her new experiences to good use and was able to empathize with patients and their families on a much greater level. Theresa’s message of “I can still be a volunteer” not only demonstrated her dedication to providing comfort to and improving quality of life of Oregonians with terminal illnesses but inspired all those around her.
Raman SrinivasanRasika Portland Raman Srinivasan founded Rasika in 1999 in response to a lack of Indian performing arts in the Portland metro area. Because of Raman’s dedication, Rasika has been able to put on over 150 events and expose numerous Oregonians to Indian arts and culture. Rasika is able to reach audiences beyond the Portland region such as those in Corvallis, Eugene, and coastal cities in Oregon as well as Vancouver, Richland, and Spokane in Washington. Unlike other major cities, Portland lacks a prominent World Music presenter but because of Raman’s tireless volunteer service, Rasika is able to partly fill this void by promoting the music and dances of India.
Outstanding Senior Volunteer (age 55 or better)
Nancy AllenOffice of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Bend Five years ago, Nancy Allen became a Certified Long-Term Care Ombudsman for seniors living in state long-term care facilities in Central Oregon. As an Ombudsman she has worked diligently to enhance the quality of life, improve the level of care, protect the individual’s rights, and promote the dignity of hundreds of long-term care residents in Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook Counties. The skills she gained during her professional career as a nurse, emergency responder, and health educator have helped shape her success as a volunteer. Nancy is such a passionate volunteer and an enthusiastic advocate for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program that she has successfully recruited five new dedicated volunteers within the past year.
Anna BurkeCASA of Jackson County Medford As a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Anna Burke advocates for children in the foster care system. In order to advocate for the best interests of these young people, she collaborates with attorneys, caseworkers, parents, foster parents, mental health providers, and the Citizen Review Board among others. Anna has advocated for eight teens in her four years as a CASA. She is so dedicated to ensuring the health and success of the youth for whom she advocates that she has donated over 1,500 hours and driven over 8,000 miles in her own car to visit at least once a month.
Karen BurrellLinn-Benton RSVP – Senior Health Insurance Benefits Association Albany Karen Burrell has volunteered for many causes throughout her life church activities to Habitat for Humanity and 4-H to Brownies and Cub Scouts. Since 2006, she has been a volunteer educator for the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Association, a signature program of Linn-Benton RSVP. Drawing on her professional expertise as a former health educator for the Linn County Health Department and her experience working at an insurance firm, Karen provides workshops and counseling for seniors navigating the complex Medicare system. Thanks to Karen’s dedication and skilled counseling, over 800 Oregon Medicare recipients have made better-informed decisions about their health care coverage.
Sandra FritzState of Oregon Citizen Review Board The Dalles For 20 years, Sandra Fritz has served on the Citizen Review Board (CRB) where she has made recommendations to the Court regarding the health and safety of foster children in Hood River and Wasco counties. In addition to countless hours of preparation time, Sandra has spent over 600 hours in review meetings. Because of her outstanding commitment to service, she has positively affected the lives of 1,200 children. In addition to her volunteer work for the CRB, Sandra has volunteered for Children’s Health Fairs, where she uses her years of experience as a clinical and public health nurse to provide services such as health screenings, medical advice, and referrals. Sandra’s dedication to health and child welfare has also led her to volunteer with the Red Cross Blood Mobile and the Association for the Care of Children’s Health.
Susan LathamCatholic Community Services Salem Outstanding volunteer Susan Latham has donated over 1,000 hours helping young adults who have aged out of the foster care system discover their family heritage. Through diligent effort and many hours of research, Susan creates extensive family trees to help these young adults understand more of whom they are and continue on their journey of personal growth and healing. In addition to her volunteer genealogy research, she has served as the Regional Women’s Circle Outreach Director, and served nine years on the Oregon Board of Psychologist Examiners. Susan is also an active project leader for Habitat for Humanity Women’s Build where she leads teams in Oregon and as well as several countries around the world. Susan started volunteering intensively after surviving cancer in 1995. She said, “After being diagnosed with a life threatening disease, and understanding that any day could be my last, I decided to show my gratitude for life each and every day by being of service to others.”
Outstanding Volunteer Program
Beaverton School District Clothes Closet Beaverton What started in the mid-1970s as a few barrels of used clothing in the McKay Elementary basement has since grown into a flourishing program that provides much more than clothes. In addition to serving as a primary source of clothing for thousands of students, the Beaverton School District Clothes Closet has become a program that encourages volunteerism and builds social capital throughout the community. Not only do volunteers have an opportunity to support families in need, but they also have a chance to meet other adults from their school community, thus forming closer bonds and encouraging each other to participate in other school and community activities.
College Dreams/Guiding Lights Mentoring Program Grants Pass For the past five years, College Dreams/Guiding Lights Mentoring Program has offered long-term mentoring for Josephine County’s 6th-8th grade students most at-risk of dropping out of school. The program offers individual and group mentoring that focuses on student strengths, motivational enhancement, recognition of accomplishments, special events, and progress incentives. Because of dedicated and highly trained volunteers, participants drop out of school 70 percent less often. John Higgins, Superintendent at Grants Pass School District 7 said, “Due to their efforts, we have seen overall verifiable improvements in the grades, attendance, and attitudes of students.”
Jericho Road Redmond Completely volunteer-run Jericho Road works to provide tangible support to the homeless and those in need within the Redmond, Oregon area. What started out solely as a transitional housing program for homeless families with children now also serves free hot, healthy meals five days a week and provides weekend food bags to students in 12 Redmond School District schools. Jericho Road has many partners in the community, and with over 100 dedicated volunteers donating more than 4,500 hours to the homeless and hungry of the community, the challenges are met and more than addressed. The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners enthusiastically wrote, “Jericho Road is one of the finest examples of how the caring and dedication of volunteers improve our community.”
In 2010, the volunteers of the Aquarium gave over 59,500 hours of service, or the equivalent of 28 full-time employees, showing their commitment to the cause and to the community.
Newport The Oregon Coast Aquarium isn’t just a popular tourist destination. Not only do Aquarium volunteers work to inspire the public to better understand, cherish, and conserve marine and coastal ecosystems while in the center, they also travel across the state to bring educational programs to audiences who typically cannot make it to the coast. In 2010, volunteers educated over 40,000 students during on-site programs and 15,600 students off-site. In addition to delivering programs in nearly every county in Oregon, the Aquarium Volunteer Program collaborates with community partners to address identified local issues. Annually, Aquarium volunteers staff two events that collect thousands of pounds of food as well as toys and cash donations for various local service organizations. In 2010, the volunteers of the Aquarium gave over 59,500 hours of service, or the equivalent of 28 full-time employees, showing their commitment to the cause and to the community.
NorthWest Senior & Disability Services – Senior Peer Counseling Salem Senior Peer Counseling was established in 1989 in response to the growing need for mental health services for Oregon’s elderly citizens. Aging Oregonians can face devastating life transitions and some have no one to turn to. Research shows that a strong, positive support system with encouragement from peers can help stabilize good mental health. Senior Peer Counseling volunteers serve seniors in Clatsop, Marion, Polk, Tillamook, and Yamhill Counties. Since the program’s inception, over 400 volunteers have completed the required 40 hour mentor training. During weekly one-on-one meetings, volunteers offer fellow seniors a much-needed listening ear and provide education about community resources and opportunities. A health specialist says, “We have seen outstanding results in the patients that have been assigned a counselor through this program. Our patients respond by realizing that they have value and a sense of purpose to live out the rest of their lives.”
Outstanding Business Volunteer Program
Pacific Continental Bank – Giving with Heart Eugene Each year Pacific Continental Bank’s Giving with Heart program provides employees with up to 40 hours of paid time off in order to volunteer in the community. Giving with Heart was one of the first such programs in the Eugene/Springfield area. The backbone of the program is the bank’s Corporate Giving Committee, which regularly provides resources, guidance, and encouragement for all employees to be actively involved in their communities. In 2011 and the first half of 2012, 186 employees contributed over 2,800 volunteer hours to more than 170 nonprofits. One of Giving with Heart’s most important volunteer activities is Teach Children to Save Day where employees have made 61 presentations to nearly 1,500 students about the value of saving money.
Waggener Edstrom Lake Oswego Waggener Edstrom, a communications firm with its largest office in Lake Oswego, was built on the belief that giving back is at the heart of the company. Each year the firm’s corporate citizenship team plans monthly events for groups of 8-20 employees. In 2011, not only did employees volunteer 2,657 hours to over 40 Oregon nonprofits, the firm helped Mercy Corps and Oregon FIRST Robotics better meet their missions by giving over $250,000 worth of pro bono work. Leslie Bevan, Executive Director of the YWCA of Greater Portland, said, “Waggener Edstrom volunteers are always willing to roll up their sleeves and get involved.”
Oregon Volunteers could not put on this wonderful event without the generosity of our sponsors. If you are interested in sponsoring an award, please check out our 2012 Awards Sponsorship information.
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