16th Annual Heart of Doernbecher Raises More than Last Year

16th Annual Heart of Doernbecher Raises More than Last Year

Portland, April 26th, 2-14. The Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation welcomed more than 400 guests to the Portland Art Museum for the 16th Annual Heart of Doernbecher. 2-year-old Linzi Shoemaker, a Doernbecher patient, raises her paddle on behalf of Rick & Debbie Wright. The event raised more than $665,000 for OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, a $100,000 increase from the previous year.   Proceeds from the event will benefit Doernbecher’s pediatric cancer programs as well as the Knight Cancer Challenge, a $1 billion OHSU campaign to revolutionize early cancer detection and treatment.

Doernbecher Foundation Board Member & KGW’s DJ Wilson with Doernbecher Foundation Interim Director Ashley Schmidt, Bill Hoadley and Doernbecher Foundation Board Member and President of Hickey Family Company Linda Rae Hickey.

Doernbecher Foundation Board Member & KGW’s DJ Wilson with Doernbecher Foundation Interim Director Ashley Schmidt, Bill Hoadley and Doernbecher Foundation Board Member and President of Hickey Family Company Linda Rae Hickey.

Hoffman Construction’s Wayne Drinkward with Julie Drinkward, Debbie Daskalos and Mark Daskalos

Hoffman Construction’s Wayne Drinkward with Julie Drinkward, Debbie Daskalos and Mark Daskalos

Ben Montoya with wife & event co-chair Kelly Montoya and Andrew Over

Ben Montoya with wife & event co-chair Kelly Montoya and Andrew Over

J.P. Morgan’s Paul Meyer with Doernbecher Foundation Board Member and event co-chair Todd Stucky and friend.

J.P. Morgan’s Paul Meyer with Doernbecher Foundation Board Member and event co-chair Todd Stucky and friend.

Mark Richardson, M.D., M.B.A., M.S.C.B., Dean of the OHSU School of Medicine, with Mary and Randy Huebner.

Mark Richardson, M.D., M.B.A., M.S.C.B., Dean of the OHSU School of Medicine, with Mary and Randy Huebner.

David Roy, representing presenting sponsor Knowledge Universes, makes a toast to Doernbecher.

David Roy, representing presenting sponsor Knowledge Universes, makes a toast to Doernbecher.

The evening began with a cocktail reception and silent auction, live music by the West Linn High School Jazz Band, a photo booth and appetizers from Art of Catering.  The program was emceed by KGW’s Drew Carney and featured presentations from Dana Braner, M.D., VP Pediatrics, Chief of the Division of Critical Care at Doernbecher; and Brian Druker, M.D., Director of the Knight Cancer Institute.   The live auction included elite packages including a trip for four to the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Ga.; a trip to New York City for a behind-the-scenes tour of Vogue and the legendary Vogue Closet; and a three-day guided fishing excursion to Sitka, Alaska.

The event was presented by Knowledge Universe and chaired by Kelly Montoya and Todd Stucky.  The Honorary Chair was Hoffman Construction Company.

About OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation:

OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital is Oregon’s premier pediatric health center, providing the region’s widest range of children’s health care services and serving as the primary center for OHSU pediatric programs. As part of Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon’s only academic health center, Doernbecher offers patients exceptional primary care and access to the region’s most advanced treatments. In addition Doernbecher is Oregon’s primary teaching hospital. Its staff educates tomorrow’s pediatric specialists. 

The Doernbecher Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that exists to secure private philanthropic support for Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. The foundation raises funds from individuals, companies, foundations and organizations, and invests and manages gifts in accordance with donors’ wishes.

Wine and Chocolate Extravaganza Boosts Youth, Rights & Justice

Wine and Chocolate Extravaganza Boosts Youth, Rights & Justice

Portland, October 13th. Over 250 guests attended Youth, Rights & Justice‘s Wine & Chocolate Extravaganza at the Oregon Convention Center.  Emcee Stephanie Stricklen from KGW-TV led guests through wine and chocolate tasting, dinner and dessert dash, and silent and live auctions. Just over $71,000 was raised in support of Oregon’s most vulnerable children and youth. Knowledge Universe was the title sponsor, and Tonkon Torp, LLP the presenting sponsor. (Photo credit, Merrie Lisa Conroy)

David Roy, speaking on behalf of Title Sponsor, Knowledge Universe

David Roy, speaking on behalf of Title Sponsor, Knowledge Universe

Silent auction and wine and chocolate tasting

Silent auction and wine and chocolate tasting

Honorary Chair, Rep. Tina Kotek

Honorary Chair, Rep. Tina Kotek

Golden Ticket winner, Merrie Lisa Conroy to auctioneer, Graham Crow: "I want the puppy!"

Golden Ticket winner, Merrie Lisa Conroy to auctioneer, Graham Crow:
“I want the puppy!”

Wine tasting was provided by Cooper Mountain Vineyard, Eos Wine Selections, Methven Family Vineyards, Pheasant Valley Vineyard and Winery, Sineann Winery, Sokol Blosser Winery, and Walnut City WineWorks.

Chocolate tasting was provided by Euphoria Chocolate Company, Missionary Chocolates, Stirs the Soul, and the Wallowa Lake Fudge Company.

Guests bid on centerpieces handcrafted by Bella Bevanda Candles. Made by local artisan, Jennifer Humphrey, the organic, soy candles are crafted using up-cycled wine bottles. For the event, Jennifer made 90 candles using bottles from the wineries participating at the event.

Speakers for the evening included Oregon House Democratic Leader, Tina Kotek; Knowledge Universe Director of Community Partnerships, David Roy; and Jennifer Williamson, advocate for education and justice, and her husband, Paul Loving.

The Golden Ticket raffle raised $5,000, and the winner chose her prize from among the live auction items: a miniature labradoodle puppy donated by Dixie Springer of Springville Labradoodles.  The hottest item in the live auction was a ticket to a private dinner party with local New York Times bestselling author, Cheryl Strayed, and catered by Kaaren Bedi.  Tickets went for $350 per person.

About Youth, Rights & Justice: Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable children and families through legal representation and advocacy in the courts, legislature, schools and community. Founded in 1975, we are Oregon’s premiere authority on juvenile law. We are the only non-profit law firm in the state dedicated to representing children in the courts and ensuring that Oregon’s laws protect the rights and well-being of children and their families.