Beaverton, OR. Assistance League fans are all smiles over their recent fundraising campaign. A week-long online auction and fund drive, launched on March 27th, raised over $48,000. Organizers say they’re still taking donations.
Accustomed to holding a spring fashion show and luncheon, Assistance League of Greater Portland made a successful mid-pandemic pivot with a smart virtual event in 2021 and geared up to do it again with its “No Fooling” theme. Assistance League is working to surpass the $80,000 raised last year and before the event had already raised $21,500 in pledged in matching funds.
The online auction featured shoes signed by the Portland Trail Blazer’s Damien Lillard. The auction also included Portland Thorns’s Emily Menges, a Portland Timbers team signed ball, vacation packages, gift baskets, and more.
The fundraiser was built on last year’s success, and featured videos of local personality Poison Waters (aka Kevin Cook), who as the drag queen has emceed the event for over ten years.
Recently Cook wrote in an email interview, “I feel like I’ve been part of the family forever.” What’s so special about Assistance League? Cook replied, “ I grew up in a very low-income family and know firsthand what it’s like to not have the basics needed to succeed in school. Operation School Bell [Assistance League’s program for disadvantaged kids] is amazing!”
The Assistance League Thrift and Consignment Shop (and its offices) are located at 4000 SW 117th Avenue in Beaverton. The shop is currently open Thursdays and Saturdays, noon to 4 pm.
From Assistance League of Greater Portland:
All donations remain in the local community, helping to fund the organization’s four programs: Operation School Bell® provides new clothes to boost the self-esteem of kids in need; organized activities are offered to youth at Cordero Residential Treatment House; Assault Survivor Kits® provides comfortable, fresh clothing to survivors leaving emergency care; and Assistance League’s newest program, Scholarships in the Trades, provides funds for tools, books, and tuition for students in Portland Community College’s trades programs. Donations to Assistance League’s No Fooling fundraiser can be made online at https://portland.assistanceleague.org, or by mail.
For more information visit https://portland.assistanceleague.org. Business supporters include O’Donnell Law Firm, LLC, Franz Bakery Foundation, NW Natural, OnPoint Community Credit Union and Albina Co., Inc.
Portland, OR. The Assistance League of Greater Portland’s thrift and consignment shop reopened for a one-day sale on August 15th. The money raised at the sale is earmarked for the Operation School Bell Program, which clothed 4,196 children last year in the Beaverton, Hillsboro and Portland Public Schools districts. Janice Cushman, Vice President of Marketing/Communications says the Assistance League’s motto is “No child should wear poverty to school.” Cushman said one of the biggest challenges will be finding which kids need vouchers or clothing the most, as students initially will not be in schools. School counselors will be working on identifying the children most in need.
The Assistance League also provides Fred Meyer shopping vouchers for kids in need.
“My family has experienced homelessness for a long time and last year we finally had a place to call home,” said one parent. “It was a blessing to have my kids chosen for this [Operation School Bell] program. It made them feel special. They told me, ‘Now with my new clothes, I won’t be picked on in school.’ I cried happy tears.”
Every child should have adequate clothing to wear to school.
Assistance League members also coordinate three additional philanthropic programs. ASK (Assault Survivor Kits) distributed 153 kits to 17 local hospitals and facilities to provide victims of rape and assault with clothing and personal items. Thirteen Portland Community College scholarships were granted to students pursuing careers in trades. Funds for tuition, books and materials help students develop skills and expertise to earn a livable wage. Cordero House, a Janus Youth program, is supported by members to enrich the lives of teen boys as they rebuild their lives with bi-monthly activities.
The Assistance League is always looking for volunteer members which make up its backbone. Members work in Thrift and Consignment helping with selling, inventory, prepping donations and more. There are a variety of committees where member skills are put to use in fundraising, finance, marketing, retail and program implementation, plus the enjoyment of making new friends while make a difference. Find out more online www.portland.assistanceleague.org or email [email protected]. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram, too.
The nonprofit’s annual fundraiser, Promenade Portland Fashion Show was canceled due to COVID, but the organization has been busy. Members are meeting on Zoom to finalize program needs and revamp the Thrift and Consignment Shop for a safe shopping experience. It’s located at 4000 SW 117th Ave, Beaverton, OR 97005.
From the Assistance League: Assistance League of Greater Portland has been serving the greater Portland area since 1961. Our local community service programs benefit children and victims of violence. We offer a scholarship for students pursuing a trade school education. We fund these programs by operating Assistance League Thrift and Consignment Shops, through grants, special events, and donations.
Portland, OR. Promenade Portland, Assistance League® of Greater Portland’s signature fundraiser, was a sell-out event and and grossed $134,000. The benefit was held at the Multnomah Athletic Club on April 29th. Emcee Poison Waters, Fundraising VP Nancy Duran and Event Chairs, Leslie Anton and Tuni Garrigues posed for a photo at the 3rd annual luncheon/fashion show. Promenade Portland featured fashions from local boutiques including: Co Co and Toulouse, Monique’s Boutique, Paloma Clothing, Pig’ments Boutique, Rachelle M. Rustic House of Fashion, Switch Shoes and Clothing and Assistance League Thrift Store. Members of Assistance League modeled the clothing. (Photo credit, Brubaker Photography)
Sherry Linder receiving Community Service Award from Philanthropic VP, Patty Funes
Josh Oller receiving Operation School Bell Award from Philanthropic VP, Patty Funes
Two awards were presented as part of the events program. Josh Oller of Silver Lining Jewelry was the recipient of the Operation School Bell® Award. For more than a decade, Silver Lining has been a supporter of Assistance League and Operation School Bell by donating fine jewelry each year that we have auctioned at our major fundraisers. Assistance League is grateful to Josh Oller and Silver Lining for their consistent reliable support. Also awarded was the Community Service Award presented to Sherry Linder, of Seams to Fit. This award is given to an outstanding individual or group that has continuously given to our local communities. Sherry’s contributions over the years have significantly impacted Assistance League Thrift Store, and have touched all its philanthropies.
Audra Scott, Business Liaison with the Beaverton School District, spoke about the tireless volunteers and their impact of Assistance League’s Operation School Bell program on local families, “Along with the homeless and low income population, Assistance League helps to clothe, they also have come to the rescue of families who have experienced devastating house fires.”
From Assistance League of Greater Portland:
Assistance League of Greater Portland has been improving lives through community-based programs since 1965. Assistance League member volunteers provide five community service programs. The programs serve local families in need by providing new school clothing, enrichment activities for troubled youth, personal history books for foster and abused children, emergency clothing for assault victims and a scholarship program. In addition to grants, sponsorships and donations, funds are raised at Assistance League Thrift and Consignment Shops at 4000 SW 117th Avenue in Beaverton.
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