Top Ten Portland Society Page Stories of 2017

Top Ten Portland Society Page Stories of 2017

by | Dec 30, 2017 | Features, News

Portland, OR. It’s our privilege to be the only nonprofit news resource for local charities and the supporters who love them! Did you miss any stories? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter by CLICKING HERE! Have a great idea for 2018? Contact Editor & Publisher Elisa Klein, at [email protected].

Here’s the list of the top ten stories (in reverse order to build your suspense) on PortlandSocietyPage.com during 2017.

#10. Jesuit High School’s 49th Auction Raises Over $1 Million

Portland, OR. Cultivating Tomorrow was the theme of Jesuit High School’s annual auction. The event on April 29th was held in the school’s Knight Center and drew 650 supporters. Principal Paul Hogan, posed for a photo with action co-chairs Wendy Pernas, Kim Takla and Jesuit President Tom Arndorfer.  JHS cleared the million-dollar mark with $1,020,916 raised in gross revenue. Organizers thanked their Presenting Sponsors – Clearview MRI, Touchmark and Colleen and Werner Nistler. Jesuit’s auction is the school’s largest fundraiser.

Here’s a link to the story for more: https://www.portlandsocietypage.com/2017/06/04/jesuit-high-schools-49th-auction-raises-over-1-million/

#9. National Charity League Honors Class of 2017

Portland, OR. After six years of service to the community, 26 high school seniors from The National Charity League, Inc. Portland Chapter were honored at a special celebration at the Sentinel Hotel on April 30th.  Most of the young women, including Bailey Cook, Shannon Kehoe, Genevieve Klein, and Jennie Menendez, began volunteering with their mothers during seventh grade and in total, the seniors worked 3,700 hours.

Here’s a link to the story for more: https://www.portlandsocietypage.com/2017/05/13/national-charity-league-honors-senior-class-of-2017/

#8. French American International School’s Fête du Vin Celebrates Community

Portland, OR. Fête du Vin on November 4th brought together some of Oregon’s best wineries and restaurants, uniting the diverse and progressive community that surrounds the French American International School. FAIS Parent & Alumni relations Manager, KaDo Gorman posed for a photo with Fete Committee members Raphaelle Robert, Julia Bannon, Michelle Reeves, and Paul Willenberg.

Here’s a link to the story for more: https://www.portlandsocietypage.com/2017/11/25/french-american-international-schools-fete-du-vin-celebrates-community/

#7. Top Ten Portland Society Page Stories of 2016

Portland, OR. This story had the list of the top ten stories on PortlandSocietyPage.com for 2016.

Here’s a link for more: https://www.portlandsocietypage.com/2016/12/31/top-ten-portlandsocietypage-com-stories-of-2016/

#6. Ignite 2017 Black & White Ball Draws 1,000 People

Portland, OR. Ignite 2017, the Black & White Ball, was Oregon’s largest LGBTQ gala and dance party and biggest fundraiser of the year. Nearly 1,000 people attended the November 4th benefit for Basic Right Oregon including Val Solorazano, Shannon Scott and Bill Dickey. More than $320,000 was raised at the Black & White Ball to support policy, advocacy and education work statewide to ensure that LGBTQ Oregonians in every community in Oregon experience equality.

Here’s a link for more: https://www.portlandsocietypage.com/2017/11/11/ignite-2017-black-white-ball-draws-1000-people/

#5. Oregon Food Bank Gala Honors Hunger Heroes & Breaks Fundraising Record

Portland. OR. Oregon Food Bank’s warehouse underwent a glittering transformation for the Oregon Harvest Dinner and by the end of the evening, attendees and sponsors had contributed more than $760,000 to support hunger relief in Oregon and Clark County, Washington. Mary Ellen Hannigan and outgoing Oregon Harvest Dinner event chair Syd Hannigan celebrated the record-breaking success of the gala. 500 guests enjoyed silent and live auctions, blues music by Reggie Houston and a seated dinner at the October 21st benefit.

Here’s a link for more: https://www.portlandsocietypage.com/2017/11/04/oregon-food-bank-gala-honors-hunger-heroes-breaks-fundraising-record/

#4. Portland Art Museum’s 125th Anniversary Gala Sparkles

Portland, OR. More than 700 people attended the Portland Art Museum’s 125th Anniversary Gala and After Party celebration on September 23rd, featuring a performance by the Grammy Award-winning, Portland-raised jazz musician Esperanza Spalding. The event raised more than $750,000 in additional support to help ensure that the innovative exhibitions, education programs, and partnerships that have been the Museum’s hallmarks will continue to thrive. Guests like Anne and Jim Crumpacker enjoyed red carpet treatment and had dinner in the historic galleries designed by Pietro Belluschi.

Here’s a link for more: https://www.portlandsocietypage.com/2017/10/06/portland-art-museums-125th-anniversary-gala-sparkles/

#3. Rock Stars Help Raise $1.4 Million to Benefit Oregon Military Museum

Portland, OR. Gene Simmons joined KISS guitarist and Portland native Tommy Thayer — along with KISS bandmates Paul Stanley and Eric Singer —for a surprise performance at the close of the “All-Star Salute to the Oregon Military” fundraising gala Feb. 18th. The exclusive event raised $1.4 million toward completing the construction of the $20 million Oregon Military Museum named after Tommy’s father, Brigadier General James B. Thayer. Rockers Alice Cooper, Robby Krieger of the Doors, Danny Seraphine from the band Chicago, and Will Lee from The Late Show with David Letterman, also performed.

Here’s a link for more: https://www.portlandsocietypage.com/2017/03/04/big-name-entertainment-stars-help-raise-1-4-million-to-benefit-oregon-military-museum/

#2. Children’s Cancer Association’s Annual Wonderball Raises $1.4 Million

Portland, OR. It was high-fives all around as Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) raised $1.4 million at its 17th annual Wonderball gala on October 7th. Leaders Rosemary Colliver, founder Regina Ellis and Andy Lytle celebrated the donations which will fuel CCA’s mission of prescribing joy to seriously ill children and their families. Organizers welcomed nearly 850 supporters to the Oregon Convention Center for an “Age of Aquarius” themed night they say was inspired by the abundant love and optimism of the Woodstock era.

Here’s a link for more: https://www.portlandsocietypage.com/2017/10/21/childrens-cancer-associations-annual-wonderball-raises-1-4-million/

#1. “Classically American” Oregon Symphony’s Gala Raises Over $1 Million

Portland, OR. The popping of celebratory champagne, the Rex Putnam High School Marching Band, and applause from the nearly 400 attendees provided a fitting end to the Symphony’s annual gala, which marked another first in the organization’s 120-year history – shattering the $1 million gala fundraising mark. Guests of Oregon Symphony’s Gala 2017, “Classically American” arrived to a tented reception in the Park Blocks adjacent to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. In attendance were State Architect Alice Wiewel, Liz Fuller, President of Gard Communications, Representative Brent Barton, Jordan Schnitzer, OSA President Scott Showalter, Portland State University President Wim Wiewel, and Mayor Ted Wheeler.

Here’s more on the story: https://www.portlandsocietypage.com/2017/04/08/classically-american-oregon-symphonys-gala-raises-over-1-million/

Well, there you have it, the top 10 Portland Society Page stories of the year. Society Page is a free community platform where you can make a difference. If you enjoy reading our positive news about the great things happening in our area, you can help and here’s how:

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We are excited to continue “Building Your Community” in 2018!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Elisa Klein, Editor

[email protected]

Rock Stars Help Raise $1.4 Million to Benefit Oregon Military Museum

Rock Stars Help Raise $1.4 Million to Benefit Oregon Military Museum

by | Mar 4, 2017 | Features, News

Portland, OR. Gene Simmons joined KISS guitarist and Portland native Tommy Thayer — along with KISS bandmates Paul Stanley and Eric Singer —for a surprise performance at the close of the “All-Star Salute to the Oregon Military” fundraising gala Feb. 18th. The exclusive event raised $1.4 million toward completing the construction of the $20 million Oregon Military Museum named after Tommy’s father, Brigadier General James B. Thayer. Rockers Alice Cooper, Robby Krieger of the Doors, Danny Seraphine from the band Chicago, and Will Lee from The Late Show with David Letterman, also performed.

The Oregon Military Museum is named after Brigadier General James B. Thayer (ret.), 94, of Lake Oswego and the fundraiser was organized by his son, Tommy Thayer.

The evening included the honors for the late Bill Bowerman, a WWII veteran and a founder of Nike. He received the Distinguished Military-Civilian Service Award. Bill Bowreman’s son, at right, accepted the award on his late dad’s behalf.

Attendees were generous with their donations.

Musicians Alice Cooper, Will Lee, Robby Kreiger and Danny Seraphine perform.

PGA tour legend, and Oregon’s own, Peter Jacobsen, served as Master of Ceremonies, keeping the evening on par and energetic. During the live auction, one bidder paid $40,000 for the Zenith Commemorative Brigadier General James B. Thayer Oregon Military Museum rose gold watch.

“Bringing in $1.4 million for the Oregon Military Museum was a godsend. Huge thanks to our friends and supporters for their generosity and support of my dad, our family and the museum,” said Tommy Thayer. General Thayer, 94, was in attendance and spoke to the crowd about how special this honor is.

“It was an amazing night of wonderful people and music raising funds for great cause. This event puts us closer to our $20 million goal to complete the museum and create an endowment for operating once the it opens,” said Amy Maxwell, Executive Director of the Oregon Military Museum Project and event organizer. “Thank you to everyone for supporting our efforts.”

About the Museum:

Once completed, the world-class museum complex in Clackamas will provide an educational resource for preserving and sharing our military history with the goal to inspire future genera- tions on the importance of citizenship, heroism and sacrifice.

The 32,000 sq. ft. Oregon Military Museum will include more than 13,000 square feet of professionally designed, state-of-the-art dynamic educational exhibits representing Oregon’s military history from the warrior traditions of Native Americans through today’s Global War on Terrorism.

The adjoining two-acre Historic Park and Honor Gardens will feature interpretive exhibits including two historic buildings that will take visitors back in time to the early 1900s.

The Brigadier General James B. Thayer Oregon Military Museum is located at Camp Withycombe 15300 SE Minuteman Way Clackamas, OR 97015

For more information: 

http://oregonmilitarymuseum project.org/