Portland, September 21st. Guests gathered under the big top to support Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Oregon and Southwest Washington for the 2012 Hearts & Hands Auction. The event at the Portland Art Museum raised over $375,000 to support more than 1,500 families served by RMHC each year. (Photo Credit, Naim Hasan)
David Stoller and Mike Brown were inducted into the RMHC Hall of Fame. The Portland Trail Blazers (here represented by VP and RMHC Board Member Mike Fennell) were recognized as RMHC’s Partner of Distinction.
Ronald McDonald was front and center at the Benefit
Cooper & Laleya Christianson – House guests at Ronald McDonald House Charities since December 2011 while Cooper undergoes chemotherapy treatment for leukemia. Laleya spoke about her experience of staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Portland.
Masks added to the mystery and merriment at the Portland Art Museum
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington provides a “home away from home” for families with seriously ill children, and supports initiatives to improve pediatric health.
To accomplish this, we rely on the generosity of thousands of donors, the ingenuity of local volunteers, and the dedication of our staff.
Portland ‘s two Ronald McDonald Houses are located steps away from some of the best hospitals for children in the Northwest. The West House is adjacent to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) and Shriners Hospital for Children. The East House is located on the campus of Legacy Emanuel Hospital.
During their visit, guests stay in comfortable and lovingly decorated private rooms where they can get a peaceful night’s rest, knowing their child is close by. Volunteers arrive daily to offer support by greeting guests with a smile, cleaning, and cooking. By providing a setting in which families connect with other families, and children can meet other children going though a similar experience, our houses ease the isolation of what can be a stressful and frightening time.
Portland, September 15th. The nonprofit called YouthBuilders is one of the Timbers’ Pillar Partners. Representatives from the program presented the team flag before the match against the Seattle Sounders, which ended in a 1-1 draw. (A 78th-minute goal by Timbers defender Rodney Wallace evened the score in the volatile match.)
Portland YouthBuilders stretched out the circular flag. The nonprofit provides long term support for low income youth. Each year, it provides education and vocational training for over 200 young people between the ages of 17 and 24 who have not completed high school and who face barriers to success.
YouthBuilders is one of many nonprofits to present the flag and receive free tickets through the Tix for Kids program, others included ROSE CDC,I have a Dream Foundation, Playworks and Latino Network. The ticket giveaway is sponsored by KPTV, JELD-WEN, Providence, NW Natural, Alaska Airlines, PGE, and Burgerville. In addition, at each game the Timbers hold silent auctions with unique team memorabilia to raise money for community work.
The Timbers hold soccer camps and coaching clinics for local kids.
The Timbers Army was out in force during the match against Seattle.
Next, Portland travels to face San Jose on September 19th, while Seattle shifts gears to a CONCACAF Champions League match the same day against Marathon in Honduras.
The Portland Timbers have adopted the following nonprofit pillar partners for the 2011-2013 seasons:
Big Brothers Big SistersColumbia Northwest
The Portland Timbers will partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest on the Sports Buddies program, which is a one-to-one mentoring program for at-risk youth with an emphasis on sports.
Learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest.
Friends of Trees
The Portland Timbers, JELD-WEN and Friends of Trees will partner for the next few seasons. Every time the Timbers score a goal, the club and JELD-WEN will plant a tree in the Portland community through the Score a Goal, Plant a Tree partnership with Friends of Trees.
Portland YouthBuilders
The Portland Timbers will partner with Portland YouthBuilders on a community service project in conjunction with MLS W.O.R.K.S. Community Service Program. The Timbers will work in a collaborative effort to combine sport and service and improve lives and communities in the Portland area.
Learn more about MLS W.O.R.K.S. Community Service Program.
Other nonprofit connections include Schoolhouse Supplies. In what has become an eight year tradition with Schoolhouse Supplies, the Portland Timbers and The UPS Store welcomed every Jason Lee student to the 2012-13 school year with a new backpack filled with new school supplies for the year.
Would you like to volunteer alongside one of The Portland Timbers? Starting Monday, October 8th, Team members and their sponsors will have a Stand Together Week as a call to action to get involved in our community.
Hands on Greater Portland has a listing of options: Browse the 40+ projects below and sign up for the opportunity to volunteer alongside a Portland Timbers player, ambassador, or Timber Joey! Stand Together Week participants will also get an official Stand Together scarf and adidas drawstring bag as a thank you for stepping up to support volunteerism.
All projects require a $30 registration fee per volunteer, which serves as a donation to Hands On Greater Portland to help cover the cost of organizing this week of service.
Click below to learn more about a specific project and sign up:
Portland, September 11th, 2012. Thousands of volunteers joined forces to help local charities including the Oregon Food Bank. 175 volunteers repacked 49,376 pounds of food at OFB on the Day of Service. It was the eleventh anniversary of 9/11/2001 and volunteer groups honored the victims, survivors, and the many who rose in service in response to the tragedy, including first responders, recovery workers, volunteers, public safety officers and members of our military.
Rocky Norris repacks food at the Oregon Food Bank’s Maybelle Clark Macdonald Volunteer Action Center
Desiree Davenhill pitches in.
Volunteers were urged by Hands on Greater Portland to, “Pay tribute to the victims, survivors, and heroes of 9/11 by engaging with friends, family, and neighbors in volunteer service to communities across the region.” The organization has year-round volunteer opportunities at over 300 different nonprofits. “Whether you are working, parenting, in school or retired, Hands On Greater Portland offers you a variety of ways to get involved while meeting your schedule and interests. Volunteer for a one-time project. Volunteer for a few weeks. Volunteer after work or on the weekends. Volunteer alone, with family, friends or co-workers,” they explain.
The City of Portland Parks Bureau’s Community garden was another place to volunteer.
Some volunteer projects provide opportunities to come together and serve local community needs, side by side. Here’s a video with more information on how to volunteer with Hands on Greater Portland.
Mt. Angel, September 8th. Lederhosen and Dirndls were all the rage at the kick-off party for the 47th annual Oktoberfest. The party launched the four day celebration for rural community, 40 miles south of Portland; Oktoberfest runs through Sunday, September 16th.
Steven and Laura Miller and Nick and Imelda Wavra – members of the Kleinstadtler Dancers who performed at the Kick Off Dinner and are saving a special new dance for Mount Angel’s 2012 Oktoberfest.
Michele Fennimore – Oktoberfest Director
Over the past 47 years ago, the Oktoberfest organization has donated over three million dollars to Mount Angel schools, churches, civic organizations, youth activities, senior services, hospitals, and scores of other worthwhile causes. Additionally, civic and non-profit organizations also earn money by manning food booths. Last year these grossed $616,000.00. For many, Oktoberfest is their major fund raising activity of the year.
Ted Schacher, Nick Splonski and Bill Bischoff join S-Bahn in singing
Dean and Molly Westbrook have a polka moment
Jim Hoke – Oktoberfest Sponsor
Oregon’s oldest and longest running Oktoberfest began in 1966, following a tradition of over 125 years of harvest festivals under various names and formats. The community founded by German pioneers in 1867, with its surrounding agricultural countryside bears a striking resemblance to rural Bavaria, making an Oktoberfest a natural choice. Organizers expect 350,000 people to come to Mount Angel and soak in the Bavarian charm.
At the festival you’ll find over 50 little food chalets with Bavarian treats; a large arts and crafts show; a new Bavarian Biergarten, family Weingarten and interactive family Alpinegarten. There is free entertainment on the village bandstand featuring the sounds of the alpine country and a free Kindergarten on Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy a sports program that includes golf and volleyball tournaments and a high school football classic, a 200-vehicle cruz-n car show and more.
Portland, September 11th. Portland firefighters Wes Laux, Billy Quick, Dwight Englert, Neil Martin and Ed Hall worked on the cleanup at Ground Zero after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. They were among hundreds of firefighters who went to New York City to help with the cleanup. More than 300 New York firefighters were killed when the World Trade Center towers fell in the attack. Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) held a ceremony in remembrance of the 2,977 victims who lost their lives eleven years ago. Of the 2,977 people who died, 343 of those were with the Fire Department of New York (FDNY).
Speakers included Fire Chief Erin Janssens, Lt. Damon Simmons, and Lt. Aimee Rooney. In addition, Portland Fire personnel read the name of each fire fighter from FDNY who perished on that day. The bell was rung in remembrance of the lives that were lost on 9-11
9/11 Memorial Ceremony held at the Campbell Memorial in Portland
In addition, PF&R hosted a “Day of Silent Reflection” at the Historic Belmont Firehouse from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM. The Firehouse is located at 900 SE 35th Ave. where the community was invited to come and see the slideshow and 9-11 bronze sculpture.
On Saturday, September 8th, the Historic Belmont Firehouse marked its 100th Anniversary during the annual Belmont Street Fair.
Many of the visitors expressed what a privilege it has been to have the station in this neighborhood all of these years. Although it no longer serves the community as an active fire station, it continues to add to its legacy of community service by educating both youth and adults alike about the proud history of the fire service and safety.
1914 Station 9 with Engine 9 and crew
The streets were filled with Portlanders walking the closed street, shopping and enjoying culinary offerings by some of the city’s best chefs.
About Portland Fire and Rescue:
Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) promotes a safe work environment for all people who live and work in Portland and the surrounding areas.
PF&R is Oregon’s largest fire and emergency services provider. We provide an extensive range of public safety services including fire prevention, public education, response to fire, medical, and other emergency incidents, and disaster mitigation. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2010-11, PF&R was comprised of about 750 employees with a Bureau operating budget of $90.7 million.
PF&R operates 30 engine companies, nine truck companies, two fireboats, a rescue, and three squad units, including two specialized units for Chemical and Biological, Radiological/Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) response, and a specialized unit for Hazardous Materials (HazMat). These units allow PF&R firefighters to provide emergency services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Emergency response is provided from 30 stations, which are strategically located throughout the City of Portland to maximize resources and provide the quickest possible response times.
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