Portland, OR. Fences For Fido sent a volunteer force of 10 people to Oroville, CA to build temporary shelter for dogs and other small animals displaced and rescued from the Camp Fire area. Volunteers shared their firsthand experiences: “Apocalypse is the only word that describes what we observed. There was evidence of immediate evacuation. The stories of water left running and clothes left in foyers because people couldn’t get out fast enough. Whole neighborhoods wiped out where neighbors and friends once shared life and children played.”
Working with North Valley Animal Disaster Group, volunteers left Portland November 19th. Fences For Fido constructed outdoor enclosures and exercise pens to safely confine dogs and other small animals until they are reunited with their families or moved to local area shelters. (In the past nine years, Fences For Fido has unchained over 1600 dogs in NW Oregon, central Oregon and SW Washington.)
“Our hearts are with the people and animals affected by the fires in California. We know first-hand that helping pets is helping people. When people have lost everything in life, their pets offer that sense of hope and comfort. Pets are a part of our family unit, and we are hopeful that our volunteer crew of experienced fence builders will help bring some relief to the immense suffering caused by the fire,” said Kelly Peterson, co-founder of Fences For Fido and board member emeritus.
Fences For Fido also delivered food and feeding supplies for pigs, chickens, and rabbits also displaced or injured from the fires.
About Fences For Fido:
Founded in 2009, Fences For Fido a 501c3 non-profit organization that improves the quality of life for chained dogs living outside in the elements day and night. We attend to all needs by building a fence, removing the chain, supplying a warm doghouse, providing critical vet care and spay/neuter services. In nine years, the organization has unchained nearly 2000 dogs in the Pacific Northwest.
Portland, April 24th, 2014. A spirited talent competition between local celebrities and over 50 Portland-area students raised $128,000 for Camp Fire Columbia, a nonprofit youth development organization. Camp Fire Columbia held its 4th Annual Celebrity + Youth Talent Show at the Crystal Ballroom in downtown Portland in front of 400 attendees. Celebrities performed along with Camp Fire youth representing four different elementary schools in Portland Public, David Douglas, and West Linn-Wilsonville school districts. Student talent acts included dancing, singing, and comedy.
Camp Fire kids kick off the festivities with a flash mob dance to Pharrell’s mega-hit “Happy.” The Talent Show gave youth the opportunity to showcase skills they’ve developed through arts education they receive in Camp Fire’s after school programs, including dance, music, and comedic performance.
Pink Martini’s Thomas Lauderdale cheers on audience donations during his music set with The Von Trapps.
The Von Trapps harmonize…minutes before children jump on stage to dance with them!
Camp Fire kids sing and dance to Stevie Wonder during their set as “The Fedora-bles.”
Attendees “voted” between celebrities and youth with pledged donations after each performance. All proceeds from the event benefit Camp Fire’s programming, which is located in 21 schools in the Portland area and includes before and after-school programs, in-school curricula, and summer learning.
Celebrity acts included:
· Thomas Lauderdale (leader of Pink Martini) & the Von Trapps
· Timber Joey (Portland Timbers) and a group of local sports mascots from the University of Portland, and the Eugene Emeralds.
· Brad Fortier & The Knockouts (comedians)
· Shoehorn (local musician)
· Local actor Dale Johannes (event MC/host)
The evening culminated with a 30-minute performance by Lauderdale & the Von Trapps, which included music from their recently released album “Dream a Little Dream.” The performance earned a standing ovation. The Von Trapps are the great-grandchildren of Captain and Maria von Trapp, whose story was portrayed in the popular musical, TheSound of Music.
The event was sponsored by a number of local companies including: Fred Meyer Fund, Bank of America, Comcast, NW Natural, KeyBank, The Standard, Matisse, Cambia, Mattecheck & Associates, Capital Pacific Bank, Chase Bank, Northeast Family Dental, and Live 95.5.
About Camp Fire Columbia: Camp Fire Columbia is a co-ed youth development organization that directly serves over 3,500 youth in grades K-12 annually. Camp Fire partners with 21 schools to provide in-school and out-of-school time programs that: support academic achievement, build social and life skills, foster community engagement, and develop career and college readiness. Visit www.campfirecolumbia.org for more information.
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