Portland, January 8th, 2016. It was a chilly week at the Oregon Zoo. The deep freeze kept visitors away because the zoo was closed for three days. A coating of the white stuff also made for some terrific photos including Amur tiger Mikhail playing in the snow. (Photo credit, Michael Durham.)
The zoo is now on winter hours, with zoo gates open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and grounds open until 5 p.m.
Here’s a look at some of the Oregon Zoo animals making the most of the snowy weather:
Portland, January 8th, 2016. With temperatures dipping ten degrees below average at the start of January, social services agencies were working overtime to meet the needs of homeless people. Portland Rescue Mission answered the call as did dozens of other shelters.
Here’s a look at the current status of care for the homeless in our area:
The City of Portland and Multnomah County fund year-round, winter and severe weather emergency shelter. There are also privately-funded organizations that provide shelter services. There are 611 emergency shelter beds available year-round. Winter shelter is available from November 1-March 31. Approximately 297 additional beds are available during the winter season for men, women, and families.
Severe weather emergency shelter is also available when the City declares a Severe Weather Notice, based on temperature/wind chill at 25°F or less, or other life-threatening weather conditions. When severe weather is declared, up to 150 additional beds may be made available.
For updated information on winter and Severe Weather Services, call 2-1-1 or go to: http://www.211info.org/
Portland Homeless Family Solutions is able to help 500 grateful people each year.
Portland Homeless Family Solutions’ (PHFS) is one of the local nonprofits serving the homeless community. Its mission is to provide temporary, emergency shelter to homeless families with children; to give access to transitional resources and teach life skills to help families find permanent housing and stay there long-term; and to advocate for the alleviation of family homelessness.
In Vancouver, Open House Ministries serves hundreds and volunteers stay busy with winter activities like coat drives for the homeless.
Donations for items to fight the cold are collected by many organizations including the Portland Rescue Mission on Burnside. Here’s what administrators are asking for now:
During the cold, rainy and sometimes icy winter months, many men and women experiencing homelessness come to the Portland Rescue Mission looking for items that can get them through a very difficult time of year weather-wise.
The items in greatest demand during Oregon’s difficult winter months are gloves, coats, warm hats, socks, shoes, blankets, sweatshirts, underwear and jeans. Portland Rescue Mission blanket exchange program, in particular, allows our guests to give us their blankets to wash and, in return, we give them a new (but used) clean one. This not only extends the life of donated blankets, but it helps make sure every man or woman gets a quality blanket when they need it most.Donations can be dropped off at our Burnside Shelter at 111 W Burnside St., Portland, OR 97209 at any time. The lobby and front desk is open 24 hours a day along with available restrooms for the guests who come to us looking for help. More details at PortlandRescueMission.org/DonateItems.
A website with information about many local organizations serving the homeless community is called
the Homeless Shelter Directory. Below are blurbs that service providers have upload with their contact information.
Portland, OR 97204
503-239-1259
Short-term case management and transitional housing for veterans. Accepts men, women, and families for up to 9 months for veterans that qualify with TB card.
Portland, OR 97209
503-823-4930
Transition Projects provides people with the resources and tools they need to end their homelessness and maintain housing. Helping people meet their basic needs-shelter, clothing, food, cleanliness-is the bedrock of what we do.
Portland, OR 97209
503-227-0810
Day Access service 7 a.m.-11 p.m. 7/week.
Emergency shelter for women. No men or children allowed on site. 30-90 day program, but extensions available if you have an active housing plan. Low barrier shelter. 50 beds. Showers, laundry, lockers, case management, and housing assistance.
Portland, OR 97205
503-535-3266
Crisis Line: 503-535-3269
Mission & Services
The YWCA of Greater Portland strives to eliminate racism and discrimination in all its forms and provides growth, education and leadership opportunities for women and families.
Portland, OR 97201
503-595-9390
The Goose Hollow Family Shelter is a night shelter for 8 homeless families with children. Families are able to stay at the shelter for about 30-60 days. Goose Hollow is open from 6:30pm until 7:30am each night of the year.
Portland, OR 97217
503-281-2442
The mission of Bradley Angle is to offer survivors of domestic and sexual violence options for safety, empowerment, healing and hope, while collaborating with our communities to create social change.
Milwaukie, OR 97222 5.71 miles from city center Portland
(503) 655-8575
The Annie Ross House family shelter.
The Annie Ross House helps families move from the crisis of homelessness to stable and secure lives in permanent and affordable homes. To meet this objective, Annie Ross program participants receive access to housing enriched with case management.
Vancouver, WA 98661 8.26 miles from city center Portland
(360)993-9561
Referrals Advocacy Outreach Services.
Assistance may include temporary emergency shelter, short-term rental assistance to help people get back into housing, or rental assistance and supportive services for people with additional needs.
Tigard, OR 97223 8.86 miles from city center Portland
(503) 443-6084
Good Neighbor Center is more than a place for families to sleep and eat. It is a place where families are transformed and become self sufficient once more. During their six-week stay at the shelter,families navigate the resources to assistance and finding jobs.
Vancouver, WA 98662 9.43 miles from city center Portland
360-980-3973
We now have two transitional faith based homes for homeless women and children. We are centrally located and each home has six beds. We have shared and single rooms.
Oregon City, OR 97045 11.56 miles from city center Portland
503-722-2366
Crisis: 503-654-2288 or toll free 888-654-2288
(open 24 hours a day)
Office 503-722-2366
Incorporated in 1985 as Clackamas County’s only shelter for women & children escaping family violence, CWS has safely harbored over 7,000 women & children.
Gresham, OR 97030 12.12 miles from city center Portland
(503) 492-3046
My Father’s House Community Shelter is a family shelter located in East Multnomah County, Oregon. We provide a safe environment for 30 families, a place families can stay together as they address their spiritual, physical, emotional, and relational issues and needs.
Hillsboro, OR 97214 15.96 miles from city center Portland
(503) 648-6646
The Community Action Family Shelter offers twenty beds with space for five families, and is managed by the Housing and Homeless Services Team at Community Action. Although it is referred to as a shelter, it is actually a Housing Program. Families are able to stay for up to five weeks.
Portland, January 7th, 2016. Back by popular demand, eight museums and attractions in the Portland metro area have teamed up to offer a reciprocal membership program in 2016. There are many notable attractions including Oregon Historical Society’s photo collections with images of Robert Kennedy visiting the zoo. If you become a member at one organization you’ll have access to the others during specific months.
The Portland Attractions Marketing Alliance – a group of marketing representatives from major attractions around the city – organized the joint membership programs. In 2016, members of the Oregon Zoo, World Forestry Center, Oregon Historical Society, Lan Su Chinese Garden, Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals, Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, Washington County Museum, & Deepwood Museum & Gardens will have access to free admission for up to four people during the designated months.
The free admission is offered for the whole month, just as it would be for members of that attraction. You may visit as many times as you like at the featured attraction each month.
Visitors just show their proof of membership along with photo ID to the gate attendants at the designated attraction to receive 4 admission tickets.
This benefit is solely for admission to attractions like Lan Su Chineese Garden during regular business hours. The membership benefit does not extend to discounts on classes, camps, store merchandise, or special events.
September 2016 is the month for visits to the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum.
So, if you have a membership to one of the eight attractions listed above, you’ll get free admission to that month’s attraction for up to four people (only one person needs to be a member).
Portland, January 3rd, 2016. It has been an exciting year for PortlandSocietyPage.com. We’ve covered over 1,060 stories about local nonprofits since our launch in 2011. In 2015, we witnessed the joy of Jordan and Arlene Schnitzer at the PNCA Grand Opening and watched a transgender activist throw out the first pitch at the Bat’n Rouge benefit for Cascade Aids Project. Offering a public platform for nonprofit news and information is our goal and we continue to be inspired by the admirable work of outstanding community members. We’re looking forward to many more exciting stories in 2016. Here are stories which had the most views in 2015.
Hermiston, September 4th, 2015. Farmers Ending Hunger Founder Fred Ziari & Executive Director John Burt took Portland’s First Lady, Nancy Hales, on a tour of River Point Farms in Hermiston so she could see first hand what farmers are doing across our state to help end hunger. The mission of Farmers Ending Hunger is to eliminate hunger in Oregon by increasing the amount of high quality food available to hungry local communities through a partnership of farmers, food processors, Oregon Food Bank and the public…
Portland, November 6th, 2015. Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) raised a record-breaking $57,000 at this year’s sold-out Oregon Fall Luncheon event at the Nines Hotel in Portland. During the event, eight puppies born at GDB were introduced to the Portland-area local families who will care for them, and teach them basic obedience and manners, during the first year of their lives. Many of GDB’s local puppy raisers have mentored more than 10 puppies on behalf of GDB. After their time with the puppy raisers, the dogs return to one of GDB’s campuses for formal training. GDB is the largest guide-dog school in North America.(Photo credit, Morry Anne Angell)…
Park City, January 24th, 2014. Executive producer Brad Pitt and actor James Franco were at the premiere of “True Story”during the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. Franco plays Christian Longo, who killed his wife and three children on the Oregon coast in 2001 and fled to Mexico, where he said he was Michael Finkel, a reporter for The New York Times.
Portland, April 11th, 2015. More than 700 guests joined St. Mary’s Academy for A Moment to Sparkle, the school’s 27thAnnual Auction held at the Oregon Convention Center’s Portland Ballroom. Cathy Marshall of KGW served as the mistress of ceremonies for the evening, keeping the crowd excited and engaged. The event was a sparkling success as St. Mary’s Academy raised $1,070,000 thanks to the generosity and support of the school’s dedicated community. This extraordinary amount is the largest in the history of the event and $170,000 over last year.
Portland, March 20th, 2015. The Grand Opening Celebration for PNCA’s Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Center for Art and Design at 511 NW Broadway went off without a hitch. It was an opportunity to officially preview the new Center for Art and Design. Through a $34 million transformation of a nearly century-old post office, the College is positioned at the heart of the city’s burgeoning creative corridor. Community leaders say the opening of the center will usher in a new era of art and design education in the Pacific Northwest. The expansion is expected to bring vitality to the North Park Blocks as well as the Old Town and Chinatown neighborhoods. (Photo credit, Mario Gallucci)…
Portland, April 26th, 2015. After six years of service to the community, 22 high school seniors from The National Charity League, Inc. Portland Chapter were honored at a special celebration at the Sentinel Hotel. Most of the young women, including Natalie Kinsel, Isabel Klein and Adele English began volunteering with their mothers during seventh grade and in total, the seniors worked 3,069 hours…
Portland, May 17th, 2015. Flawless Foundation board member Sheila Hamilton hosted a private event in her home to benefit the work of the foundation. She’s pictured with Ron Cain, Jeff Kohnstamm and Sally Kohnstamm. The evening offered a chance for guests to become acquainted with the Foundation’s mission, which is to revolutionize the way people perceive, prevent, and treat brain-based behavioral challenges. (photo credit, J.Francis Rhodes)…
Portland, March 7th, 2015. The 31st Annual Classic Wines Auction (CWA) raised almost $3.2 million for charities in Portland and southwest Washington. Former New England Patriots Quarterback and Proprietor of Doubleback Winery, Drew Bledsoe, was bidding during the live auction. More than 875 people attended the event at the Oregon Convention Center. Fundraising from this year’s auction, and related events, benefit five charity partners dedicated to helping youth and families in the metro area: Metropolitan Family Service, New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children-Portland, YWCA Clark County and Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel…
Portland, March 14th, 2015. There were lots of excited ALS supporters at the nonprofit’s gala. The event drew over 600 people who had the chance to bid on live auction packages such as a trip for two to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. The benefit raised $345,000 to continue the fight against ALS. Patrons also had the exclusive opportunity to hear from Barbara Newhouse, President and CEO of The National ALS Association as well as Nancy Frates, mother to Pete Frates, one of the young men who helped initiate the Ice Bucket Challenge out of Beverly, Massachusetts. At the event Claudia and Molly McClure had fun capturing the auctioneer’s attention.
Portland, February 12th, 2015. This year’s Providence Child Center Heart of Gold Dinner was an evening full of heartwarming tributes and an outpouring of generosity. Carole Vranizan, Dave Rianda, former Governor Barbara Roberts, and Valerie Fisher enjoyed the evening. The event raised more than $495,000 for Providence’s Center for Medically Fragile Children to support the life enriching programs and therapies that help these children reach their fullest potential…
Portland, December 23rd, 2015. The numbers are in and the Fall Winemaker Dinner series, hosted by Classic Wines Auction, raised $61,790. The series featured 17 restaurants from the Portland metro area, 23 wineries and drew a total of 483 guests. Supporters at the Imperial Dinner, with wines from Archery Summit Winery and Cameron Winery, included Annette Joly, DJ Wilson (CWA Board Chair), Christian Joly. The total dinner revenue was the largest amount raised at the Fall series to date. The total raffle revenue was $10,900, bringing the grand total to $72,690. (photo credit, Andie Petkus)
Heather Martin, (CWA Executive Director), Chris Mazepink (Winemaker Archery Summit), Chef Vitaly Paley (Owner, Imperial), John Paul (Owner/Winemaker Cameron Winery).
Guests at the P.R.E.A.M. Pizza dinner with wines from Ovum Wines and Minimus Winery included Torre Chisholm, Chief Development Officer with Special Olympics Oregon.
The Renata dinner featured wines from Brick House Wine Company. Guests at Renata included Doug Tunnel, Owner and Winemaker at Brick House Wine Company.
Here’s a photo from the Simpatica Dinner with wines from Durant Vineyards and Stoller Family Estate. Sean Suib, Executive Director New Avenues for Youth (left), joins fellow New Avenues staff and supporters for an evening of food and wines.
Funds from the Classic Wines Auction and related events are distributed to six benefiting charity partners at the end of each year. CWA’s partner charities include Metropolitan Family Service, New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children, YWCA Clark County, Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and Special Olympics Oregon.
Portland, December 20th, 2015. Organizers have announced that Beer lovers helped raise $20,000 for charity this month at the Holiday Ale Festival. The event was held in Pioneer Courthouse Square December 2nd-6th.
Craft beer legends Rob Widmer with Widmer Brothers Brewing & Christian Ettinger with Hopworks Urban Brewery chat with KATU News’ Katherine Kisiel.
Joe Vithayathil, a feature reporter for FOX 12, had a chance to check out the Urban German Grill booth.
The annual festival dedicates its proceeds to the nonprofit Children’s Cancer Association MusicRx program, which delivers the healing power of music to children battling cancer and their families.
The Pacific Northwest’s only winter beer festival attracted 14,000 attendees, who tasted their way through 50 beers, ciders, mead and braggot.
Each offering was blended specifically for the event, or were vintage offerings hard to find in the region.
Those that rose to the top of fans’ reviews included the following: Reverend Nat’s Winter Abbey Spiced Cider (served warm); Deschutes Brewery’s Pacific Wunderland (Munich IPA); Feckin Irish Brewing’s Top’ O The Feckin Mornin (bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Espresso milk porter); 54° 40’ Brewing’s Snowball Headed for Hell (white IPA); Eel River Brewing’s Gargantua III (imperial barrel-aged strong ale); Bear Republic Brewing’s Cuvee du Santa (sour brown ale); and Fort George Brewery’s Deck the Helles (barrel-aged Helles lager).
Organizers rounded up the proceeds to the nearest $1,000 and then quadrupled the amount.
The festival also featured 46 special tappings, including a four-year vertical of The Abyss by Deschutes Brewing.
Fans used a mobile app to keep on top of the tappings and meet-the-brewer events.
The five-day festival starts each year the Wednesday after Thanksgiving; next year’s event is set for Nov. 30-Dec. 4th.
Portland, December 4th, 2015. A focus on children led to a record-breaking year for Providence Festival of Trees’ 33rd anniversary in Portland. This holiday tradition delighted thousands during the public show, but the real Christmas magic happened during the gala and auction that kicked off the weekend’s festivities. The sold-out event hosted more than 1,000 generous donors who were there to support the expansion of pediatric developmental health services. The gala raised a record-breaking $1.1 million, which included two generous donations of $50,000 during the special appeal – one from Bob and Sharon Miller and another from Ron and Tammy Witcosky; a $50,000 commitment from local pediatric providers; and an auction bid of $25,000 for a Starbucks-themed tree.
Tree Name: Rockin’ Sounds of Christmas Sponsor: Providence Health Plan Decorators: Ronni Nichuals, Judy Campbell Mary Nichols, Velma Rodriguez
Tree Name: Hearts and Cups Filled Sponsor: Starbucks Coffee Company Decorators: Jerin Boyer and Jodi Casey
Resa Bradeen, M.D., Regional Medical Director, Children’s Services with Bob Mendelson, M.D., retired pediatrician, Pediatric Associates of the NW.
Rita and Fred Donnelly browse the silent auction at the 2015 Festival of Trees gala.
Sharon Miller, middle, with Sandy and Bob Albers helped raise more than $1 million dollars at this year’s Providence Festival of Trees.
The Festival of Trees gala hosted more than 1,000 generous donors who were there to support the expansion of pediatric developmental health services.
“The amount of engagement by donors and the public has been amazing,” said Resa Bradeen, M.D., regional medical director, Children’s Services, Providence Health & Services. “Most people know someone who is caring for a child with special health needs and understand the level of support that families need.”
One in five children has special health needs, developmental delays or disabilities, and the community lacks the resources to care for them all. Providence provides specialized evaluation, treatment, education and support for children facing challenges such as autism, cerebral palsy, complex ADHD, Down syndrome or sensory processing disorder. “Our goal is to double the number of children we serve next year, and the tremendous outpouring of support will allow us to take our program to the next level,” added Dr. Bradeen.
During the Festival of Trees gala, Dr. Bradeen announced that the Providence Neurodevelopmental Center for Children will be renamed Providence Children’s Development Institute, reflecting Providence’s vision to become a center of excellence for children with special health care needs. Providence Children’s Health is committed to reversing a state and national trend of limited access to care for these children and their families. As a beneficiary of the 2015 Providence Festival of Trees, Providence will be able to begin expanding developmental, behavioral and neurological services.
In total, the 2015 Providence Festival of Trees in Portland was attended by more than 20,000 holiday-minded visitors and raised $1.1 million and counting as donations continue to come in.
Providence’s two other festival celebrations in Seaside and Medford generated a combined total of more than $600,000 in contributions for programs in those communities.
Providence Health & Services in Oregon:
Providence Health & Services in Oregon, ranked as the seventh most integrated health care system in the nation, offers a comprehensive array of health and education services through its eight hospitals, medical clinics, health plans, long-term care facilities and home health services. With more than 17,000 employees, Providence is the state’s largest private employer. Visit www.providence.org/oregon.
Portland, December 15th, 2015. Holiday shoppers had reason to smile when they spotted some of their hometown favorites ringing a bell for the Salvation Army. KOIN’s Jenny Hansson had help from Jenna Cooper and a favorite TV news anchor team from the past: Shirley Hancock and Mike Donahue. It was all part of CEO and Celebrity Bell Ringing Day to benefit local needy families. In just two hours volunteers raised $2,000 dollars for the nonprofit. Coperate sponsors are a big part of the success, including Skyline Home Loans. “We’re so proud to partner with Skyline Home Loans NW, a company in our community that’s committed to our own motto of ‘doing the most good’ for anyone in need,” said Major Nancy Dihle of The Salvation Army’s Portland Metro Division.
The Portland Winterhawks Rosebuds Dance Team and Tom-A-Hawk were part of the crew out ringing the bells.
Danny Bruno, ‘Bud’ from Grimm and Cadet Laura Fyn from The Salvation Army Portland Tabernacle joined with Commissioner Amanda Fritz for the event.
This year was the largest Celebrity Bell Ringing Crew – with over 30 participants around Pioneer Square.
According to leaders of the nonprofit, the most beautiful phrase most bell ringingers hear consistently as someone drops a few coins in the kettle is, “The Salvation Army saved my life.”
Through Dec. 21st, Skyline Home Loans NW will host a Salvation Army Angel Tree, Red Kettle and Team Toy Drive for donations in four of their offices to collect toys for children in need.
From the Salvation Army:
“Doing the Most Good.” This slogan commonly used in conjunction with The Salvation Army originated from a quote made by Evangeline Booth, daughter of William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army. She said:
“There is no reward equal to that of doing the most good to the most people in the most need.”
Today, this idea continues to ring true for The Salvation Army through its slogan “Doing the Most Good” as well as its work in Portland, Ore.
Since 1886, The Salvation Army in Portland has been dedicated to doing the most good in any way possible. With 4 worship and family service centers, also known as corps, and 6 specialized programs throughout Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties, good is being done to those in the most need.
In 2011, Major Don Gilger was appointed as the Portland-Metro Coordinator. One of his goals is to partner with these communities to promote and motivate support within and outside of The Salvation Army.
The Portland-Metro corps and programs are a part of The Salvation Army Cascade Division, which serves all of Oregon and Southern Idaho and is headquartered in Happy Valley, Ore.
Portland, November 17th, 2015. When Central City Concern held is eighth annual Compassion in Action luncheon it attracted 550 business and civic leaders and raisied more than $250,000 for its housing, healthcare and employment programs. Successful CCC client Floyd Pittman posed with CCC Nurse Manager Amy Hardy at the event. The afternoon featured remarks by the agency’s Chief Medical Officer, Rachel Solotaroff, interviews of three successful Central City Concern clients, and remarks from Ed Blackburn, CCC’s Executive Director. Guests also viewed a video about a single mother who overcome multiple barriers to find success within her family and in a meaningful career.
CCC Executive Director Ed Blackburn with Chief Medical Officer Rachel Solotaroff
CCC successful clients Easten Burholz, Tammy Wilkins and Floyd Pittman recount their journeys from homelessness to self-sufficiency and fulfillment
Rico Bocala, CCC Board member, urges luncheon attendees to donate to CCC’s affordable housing, healthcare and employment programs.
Randena Franke, featured CCC success story, with Executive Director Ed Blackburn
From Central City Concern:
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 $47 million and serves more than 13,000 individuals annually.
History
In the early 1970s Portland’s Old Town/Chinatown neighborhood was populated largely by older men living in shabby, crime-ridden single room occupancy (SRO) buildings. The rent was cheap, the drug of choice was alcohol and Portland’s street inebriate problem was one of the worst in the nation. In 1979, in response to this growing problem, the City of Portland and Multnomah County together created the Burnside Consortium (now known as Central City Concern) to administer a National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA) Public Inebriate grant.
CCC’s initial work involved alcohol recovery treatment as well as affordable housing management and rehabilitation. Early on, it was clear to CCC leaders that safe housing was of paramount importance to those in recovery and to the neighborhood at large. CCC’s work in rennovating urban, SRO housing became a standard for other nonprofit housing organizations and attracted national attention.
In the 1980s, “recovery” extended to those addicted to crack cocaine and heroin and CCC adapted its programs. Its portfolio of affordable housing units increased and it began offering alcohol and drug free housing to support those in recovery as well as their families. To further support clients’ transformations to full self sufficiency, CCC added employment training and work opportunity program in the early 1990s.
Portland, December 13th, 2015. This year marks the 61th anniversary of Portland’s Christmas Ships Parade. Volunteers are making it easier for crowds to track the fleet. On parade nights, a crew member from each fleet will be sending out live tweets. Those tweets will provide real time updates. Each tweet will contain either “#WillametteFleet” or “#ColumbiaFleet.” Those tweets can be seen on the Christmas Ship home page or directly from the Twitter feed.
This Loch Ness Monster/Green Dragon breathes real fire!
The fleet is much like the post office, members forge ahead through rain, snow, and of course, dark of night. Organizers say, “The increase contact we see through the web page here, as well as through our Facebook page and Twitter feed, further cement the incredible interest shown for this event. Christmas Ships Parade fans not only show up to visit us in all sorts of weather, but they’re actively involved in communicating with the leadership, sharing pictures and videos, making donations, and offering suggestions. You support is invaluable, and we thank you for all you do for us.” (Below is the schedule for both the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.)
Here’s a preview of some of the floating festivities on display this year. There are some new boats this year!
Yes, that’s the infamous leg lamp from the holiday film, “A Christmas Story” where Ralphie has to convince his parents that a Red Ryder B.B. gun really is the perfect gift.
The combined Willamette and Columbia fleets will depart from Coon Island at 4:30pm and arrive in the Scappoose area at approximately 5:00pm. They will travel up the Multnomah Channel to the Fred’s Marina area. This is a long run with the ships arriving at Fred’s Marina at approximately 8:30pm. From there, the fleet will disperse to their respective moorages.
Tuesday, Dec. 15th – OMSI to Fremont Bridge – 7:00PM
At 7:00PM, the Willamette Fleet assembles in front of Riverplace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The parade will begin in the OMSI/Riverplace area before heading upstream to the Spaghetti Factory then head downriver to the area of the Fremont Bridge The fleet will go under the bridge and then return to Riverplace Marina. The fleet will be out for about two hours.
The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) at 7:00PM and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. The fleet will arrive about 7:45PM and about 8:15P the fleet turns downriver and returns to RiverPlace Marina. On the nights that Oregon Yacht Club is listed, the fleet will go in below Oaks Park and in front of the floating homes on the way back to RiverPlace.
Thursday, Dec. 17th – OMSI to Fremont Bridge – 7:00PM
At 7:00PM, the Willamette Fleet assembles in front of Riverplace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The parade will begin in the OMSI/Riverplace area before heading upstream to the Spaghetti Factory then head downriver to the area of the Fremont Bridge The fleet will go under the bridge and then return to Riverplace Marina. The fleet will be out for about two hours.
Friday, Dec. 18th – Milwaukie, Oregon Yacht Club – 7:00PM
The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) at 7:00PM and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. The fleet will arrive about 7:45PM and about 8:15P the fleet turns downriver and returns to RiverPlace Marina. On the nights that Oregon Yacht Club is listed, the fleet will go in below Oaks Park and in front of the floating homes on the way back to RiverPlace.
From 3 – 5:30pm, there will be a “Meet & Greet” with the Christmas Ships captains at Riverplace Marina (downtown Portland). Come say hello, take a look at the boats up close, or take some pictures with us. Santa will be there! At 5:30PM, both fleets will leave RiverPlace Marina headed to Lake Oswego, arriving about 6:45P – 7:00, subject to weather and river conditions. The ships will go as far as George Rogers Park and turn back to Portland.
At 5:00PM, the Willamette and Columbia Fleets assemble in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The parade will begin in the OMSI/Riverplace area and proceed upstream to the Spaghetti Factory before heading downriver to St. John’s arriving at approximately 6:30 PM and remain in the area for about 30 minutes. The parade will then continue on to the Columbia River and each boat owners home port. The arrival times are dependent upon bridge openings that are beyond the control of the Christmas Ships. Please check our Twitter feed for updates to our time and location.
The combined Willamette and Columbia fleets will depart from Coon Island at 4:30pm and arrive in the Scappoose area at approximately 5:00pm. They will travel up the Multnomah Channel to the Fred’s Marina area. This is a long run with the ships arriving at Fred’s Marina at approximately 8:30pm. From there, the fleet will disperse to their respective moorages.
Tuesday, Dec. 15th – I-5 Bridge area / Hayden Bay – 7:00PM
At 7:00PM, the Columbia Fleet assembles in front of James M. Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive and turns at the east end of the parking lot to head downriver to the I-5 Bridge Area including Grandma’s Cove, arriving at approximately 7:30 PM at Beaches, and Hayden Bay approximately 8:45 PM.
Wednesday, Dec. 16th – James Gleason Boat Ramp/WA Shores/Wintler Park/I-5 Bridge area – 7:00PM
At 7:00PM, the Columbia Fleet assembles in front of James M. Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive and remains for about the first half hour, then heads across the river to the Washington Shoreline until about 8pm. Then heads downriver to the I-5 Bridge Area, arriving at approximately 8:15 PM.
Thursday, Dec. 17th – I-5 Bridge area / Hayden Bay – 7:00PM
At 7:00PM, the Columbia Fleet assembles in front of James M. Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive and turns at the east end of the parking lot to head downriver to the I-5 Bridge Area including Grandma’s Cove, arriving at approximately 7:30 PM at Beaches, and Hayden Bay approximately 8:45 PM.
Friday, Dec. 18th – North Portland Harbor – 7:00PM
At 7:00PM, the fleet will assemble in the area of the James. M Gleason boat ramp, (NE 43rd/Marine Dr), and then head downriver to North Portland Harbor. North Portland Harbor is located on the Oregon side of Hayden Island.
From 3 – 5:30pm, there will be a “Meet & Greet” with the Christmas Ships captains at Riverplace Marina (downtown Portland). Come say hello, take a look at the boats up close, or take some pictures with us. Santa will be there! At 5:30PM, both fleets will leave RiverPlace Marina headed to Lake Oswego, arriving about 6:45P – 7:00, subject to weather and river conditions. The ships will go as far as George Rogers Park and turn back to Portland.
At 5:00PM, the Willamette and Columbia Fleets assemble in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The parade will begin in the OMSI/Riverplace area and proceed upstream to the Spaghetti Factory before heading downriver to St. John’s arriving at approximately 6:30 PM and remain in the area for about 30 minutes. The parade will then continue on to the Columbia River and each boat owners home port. The arrival times are dependent upon bridge openings that are beyond the control of the Christmas Ships. Please check our Twitter feed for updates to our time and location.
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