Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest Creates Connections

Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest Creates Connections

by | Nov 19, 2022 | Events, Features, News

Portland, OR. Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest (BBBS) raised  $475,000 at its “Impact of a Connection” gala. After a two-year Covid-prompted hiatus, the benefit was held at The Redd on Salmon Street on September 22nd. It raised funds to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that supporters say help to ignite the power and promise of youth. At the event, Nick Kristof, New York Times Columnist, and Artis Stevens, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters America posed for a photo together. (Photo credit, Adam Levy)

Artis Stevens, President, and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters America

Beach Pace, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest

Lindsey Murphy, event emcee, and Alumni Little Sister

Owa Odighizuwa, Former NFL Player and Alumni of Little Brother, and Artis Stevens, President, and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters America

From Big Brothers Big Sisters:

The sun shined bright as guests arrived to enjoy the cocktail hour, packed with entertainment featuring saxophonist Eldon “T” Jones, Finn the Magician, a 360 photo booth, and delicious cocktails from Tito’s Handmade Vodka. We were joined by a special guest speaker, Artis Stevens, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, who gave a moving speech about the importance of mentorship in the lives of youth. Alumni Little, Lindsey Murphy, celebrated her 30th year in contact with her Big Sister, Melissa, a science teacher that inspired her to start her wildly popular Youtube show, the FabLab.

The night concluded with a celebration of the 2022 Bigs and Littles of the year highlighting the matches of Big Brother Gus and Little Brother Jason and Big Sister Monica and Little Sister Jeni who took the stage to accept their awards. As a community, we were able to raise a record-breaking $475,000 in support of our one-to-one mentoring programs here in Portland and SW Washington. One of the best parts of the night happened among all the staff and event volunteers after the event when, Beach Pace, BBBSCNW CEO, rallied everyone together to take a moment to take pride in all the work we had all put into this event.

A sincere thank you to everyone who made this event a beautiful success. It takes a village, and we are so glad you are a member of our village. Our sincerest appreciation goes out to our 2022 Gala Committee led by co-chairs Suzy Alexander, and Lee Lenker. A BIG thank you to our Presenting Sponsors Twenty Four 7 and Concentrix Catalyst, our Ignite Sponsors The Standard, OnPoint Community Credit Union, Nike, M Financial Group, Cambia Health Solutions, Anderson Construction, our Inspire Sponsors KPMG, Moss Adams, Comcast, Baird, General Sheet Metal, Hillsboro Hops, M Science, Sheldon Warmington & Janel Warmington and Table Sponsors @ACME, Advantis Credit Union, Brown & Brown Insurance. Barran Liebman LLP, Natasha Elhaj-Hedinger, Kaiser Permanente, Moda Health, North Highland, owamagbe odighizuwa, Pacific West Bank, Parker, Smith & Feek, TM Rippey Consulting Engineers and Xenium HR!

Rappel for a Reason Raises $120,000 to Support Youth Mentorship

Rappel for a Reason Raises $120,000 to Support Youth Mentorship

by | Oct 9, 2021 | Events, Features, News | 1 comment

Portland, OR. Sixty people went “over the edge” and rappelled down the Black Box, 200 SW Market Street, to raise vital funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS). First up, On September 24, local celebrities, including Chef Gabriel Rucker and Blaze, the Portland Trail Blazers mascot, got the first chance to rappel the 20-story building during VIP Media Day sponsored by Merrell. Big Sister Elise Spitzer, seen above, was one of many who rappelled down the building. (Photo credit, Adam Levy)

On September 25, fifty individuals who had raised $1,500 each rappelled with family and friends cheering them on as they went over the edge. Over 200 people attended the two-day event and $120,000 was raised. All funds raised will help to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of local youth, helping them reach their potential.

Beach Pace, CEO Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest

Little Brother Tae was the youngest rappeller this year. He showed his bravery, rappelling with his Big Brother Tom Olguin

Big Brother Toby Tucker won Best Costume of the day as Teen Wolf

Chef Gabriel Rucker, the two-time James Beard Award-winning chef, and owner of Portland’s Le Pigeon and Canard

Organizers say, “The youth served by Big Brothers Big Sisters, most of whom come from single-parent households, face adversity and exude resilience every day. They show an immense amount of courage by staying positive in light of daily challenges, especially during the pandemic. We asked our rappelers to find their inner strength and courage to go over the edge for these kids.”

This fundraising event was sponsored locally by PK, General Sheet Metal, Merrell, Flowbird America, Comcast Oregon & SW Washington, Cambia Health Solutions, and Tito’s Vodka.

About Over the Edge:
Over the Edge is a special events company that provides signature events for non-profit organizations around the world. Business leaders, individuals and community members are invited to raise donations in exchange for the experience of going over the edge of a prominent building. This unique event generates front-page news, raises thousands of dollars, and provides participants with a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters:
BBBS is a local, private non-profit organization affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Founded in 2002, it serves as one of the Portland-Vancouver region’s largest youth mentoring organizations and achieved a 96% high school graduation rate this past year for its mentees, far above the region’s overall graduation rate of 82%. More than 8,500 local children have been matched with a volunteer Big Brother or Sister, creating life-changing bonds.