Portland, OR. Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest held its fourth annual Big Hero Gala at Leftbank Annex which featured a live auction with auctioneer Johnna Wells, Timber Joey Webber and Emcee Cathey Armillas. The gala supports the work of Big Brothers Big Sisters to match kids facing adversity in our community with a caring adult mentor. The January 27th benefit raised over $302,000 – an all-time high for the agency – through live and silent auctions, paddle raises and sponsorship.
Kris Wigger and Mimi Lettunich, Big Brothers Big Sisters Board Chair
Big Brothers Big Sisters CFO and Miss Oregon Harley Emery
Big Brothers Big Sisters CEO Beach Pace and Ken Beattie of Cale America
Kukatonon African Dance Troupe
Former Little Brother Gerardo Morales and his Former Big Brother Adam Hulme deliver a keynote speech
Auctioneer Johnna Wells
Event guests were treated to cocktails and an art exhibit following two current pairings titled, “My Match,” a performance by African Dance troupe Kukatonon, dinner, dessert and an after party. The live portion of the event unveiled a recruitment video for the agency’s new Bigs in Blue program, which matches youth with a mentor in law enforcement. Portland Police Chief Danielle Outlaw was in attendance and pledged to become a Big Sister through the program.
Here’s a video about the program:
Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest serves just shy of 500 kids in the Portland Metro area and Vancouver. The estimated cost of connecting a child with a mentor and offering match support for one year is $1,500. The agency serves youth in our community through its community, site based and school based programs.
Portland, March 14, 2013. Night at the Museum was the theme for Lines for Life’s (formerly Oregon Partnership) annual Gala Dinner & Auction. Judy Cushing, CEO Lines for Life; Mayor Charlie Hales, Nancy Hales, Sharon Smith and Senator Gordon Smith attended the 20th Anniversary Gala at the Portland Art Museum. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus) Organizers say the evening was a tremendous success, raising more than $285,000 for lifesaving programs.
Each year Lines for Life (formerly Oregon Partnership) continues to advance its mission of preventing substance and suicide. Through a 24-hour crisis services and prevention education programs it has seen many lives changed for the better. The anonymous Military Helpline is unique in the country and YouthLine offers confidential teen-to-teen counseling on bullying, substance abuse, self harm and suicide.
Event co-chair Anne Naito-Campbell and Nancy Hales
Ballroom at PAM filled with generous Lines for Life supporters.
Gala Emcee Kerry Tymchuk with auctioneer Johnna Wells
(Heroes for Hope Tom Cook of Taco Bell and Mark Ganz of Cambia with (center) Lines for Life Board Chair Dan McMillan of The Standard.
Our youngest supporter Ellen McMillan joins in the fun
Senator Gordon Smith raises his paddle high for Lines for Life
From Lines for Life:
We are dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide because they touch so many families in our society.
Lines for Life (formerly Oregon Partnership) is a non-profit dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide. We have served thousands of people with addiction, mental health and suicide intervention services, treatment referral and drug prevention education.
Lines for Life Crisis Lines receive approximately 35,000 calls per year. We are able to de-escalate 98 percent of the 17,000 suicide calls we receive. The Military Helpline offers free, anonymous assistance 24/7/365 to active duty service members, veterans and their families.
Our YouthLine offers a confidential teen-to-teen phone line and texting to help youth deal with bullying, depression, substance abuse or other issues that can make those years especially painful.
The Lines for Life staff works closely with schools, parents, treatment professionals, law enforcement and the military. We train and support community anti-drug coalitions. We lead public awareness campaigns on underage drinking, youth access to alcohol and reducing illegal drug use.
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