Portland, OR. Junior Achievement volunteers like Olivia Arce and Genevieve Klein, seen above in green aprons, are helping kids get back to business after months of sitting idle due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Local leaders in Oregon and Southwest Washington said they’re, “excited to announce Kidder Mathews’ new storefront in JA BizTown®! Kidder Mathews is the largest independent commercial real estate firm on the West Coast.” The ribbon-cutting on April 18th was part of the nonprofit’s ongoing effort to get support from the local business community for the program. BizTown features a large indoor commerce-oriented town square. There are storefronts and workspaces for banks, restaurants, retail shops, manufacturers, and services‚ most of which are sponsored and branded by Pacific Northwest businesses.
Kidder Mathews team cuts the ribbon on its new storefront at the Junior Achievement BizTown. The team includes Brendan Murphy, Jordan Carter, Steve Bowers, Steven Klein, Peter Stalick, Clay Newton, Olivia Arce and Genevieve Klein.
Genevieve Klein and Olivia Arce extended their day to volunteer within the Kidder Mathews workspace at JA BizTown. “I love JA BizTown,” exclaimed Klein, “I wish I had gone through a program like this when I was younger. I have a business degree, and even in college, I never learned personal finance in the way JA teaches it.” Genevieve’s father, Steven Klein is the Managing Director of Kidder Mathews office in Portland. He has fond memories of participating in Portland’s Junior Achievement program as a student in the 1970s.
Here’s a video about BizTown produced by Junior Achievement of Oregon & SW Washington:
After having 18 hours of classroom instruction, local 5th-grade students get to try their hand at running a business in “BizTown“.
Junior Achievement’s BizTown has served over 100,000 students since it opened in 2007.
The SE Portland facility is a $5 Million business immersion educational center that helps kids get a hands-on feel for working in the grown-up world.
About Junior Achievement of Oregon & SW Washington:
Junior Achievement (JA) is thankful to have great partners, like Kidder Mathews, who were ready and eager to step up during the pandemic. Kidder Mathews supports all Junior Achievement offices and students along the West Coast; Portland, Ore, has the only Kidder Mathews JA BizTown site! Therefore, we are extremely appreciative of this partnership and look forward to more collaboration in the future!
Junior Achievement of Oregon & SW Washington serves thousands of students each year. Students not only navigate the intricacies of jobs and being members of the community, but also discover the abundance of opportunities available within their cities. Since 1950, Junior Achievement of Oregon & SW Washington (JA) has been empowering local students by giving them the knowledge and skills they need to manage their money, plan for their futures, and make smart academic, career, and economic choices.
The local JA office located at 7830 SE Foster Road serves 35,000 kids in Oregon and Washington. For more information, see www.japortland.org.
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.
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.
#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.
#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.
#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.
#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.
#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.
#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.
#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.
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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.
2017 Recognition Event Senior Class
In addition to volunteering with their mothers, the Class of 2017 hosted a carnival for 35 foster kids in grade school. They partnered with Project Lemonade to reach out to foster children in the Portland-metro area and Friends of the Children for the gym and outdoor space. Activities included a dunk tank, crafts, and basketballputting.
Dara Wilk, 2016-2017 Chapter President with Madeline Borok and Alyssa Froude
Savannah and Sonia Niebergall
The Parker Family
Kristen and McCall Phillips
Michele and Molly Porter
Genevieve and Elisa Klein, Portland Society Page Editor
Kari and Kylie Rice
Reagan and Colleen Rundle
Julie and Grace Summers
Sarah and Carly Allen
Michelle and Grace Becker
Julie and Madeline Borok
Bailey Cook and Wendy Keeton
Pam and Lizzy Delaporte
Molly and Catie Ellis
Lanelle and Ava Fechner
Noreen and Jaclyn Flood
Kathleen and Megan Foesch
Stephanie and Alyssa Froude, who was honored with the Yellow Rosebud Award.
Carlin and Sarah Gram hold their awards. Sarah Gram was honored with the Hourglass Award, Merci Award, and Senior Service Award. The Mother-Daughter Award went to Carlin and Sara Gram.
Emma and Catarina Hunter
Molly and Stella Kalomiris
Shannon and Allison Kehoe
Lucy and Denise Koury
Amy and Bella Marconi
The Menendez family
Ashley and Ann Mepham
From the Portland Chapter of the National Charity League:
National Charity League, Inc. (NCL) is a non-profit organization of mothers and daughters in seventh through twelfth grades committed to community service, leadership development, and cultural experiences. Our national organization started in 1947 and has grown to over 50,000 members in 215 chapters in 21 states across the country. The NCL Portland Chapter started in 1995 and currently consists of over 325 mothers and daughters, including Provisional and Sustainer members. We are proud to support the following organizations:
Albertina Kerr Children’s Cancer Association Camions of Care Children’s Book Bank Dress for Success Friendly House Komen Portland Race for The Cure Oregon Food Bank Oregon Humane Society Oregon Zoo Portland Children’s Museum Portland Rescue Mission Project Lemonade Project Linkage Providence Child Center for Medically Fragile Children Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel Ronald McDonald House East Ronald McDonald House West Rose Haven SOLV- Friends of Trees Special Olympics St. Anthony Village Street Light Shelter – Janus Youth Programs PDX Homeless Family Solution
2017 Recognition Event Committee CO-CHAIRS were Stephanie Froude Christy Parker
COMMITTEE MEMBERS were Elisa Klein, Sonia Niebergall, Colleen Rundle, and Julie Summers
CLASS OF 2017 GRADE LEVEL ADVISORS were Michelle Becker, Kathleen Foesch, and Michele Porter
Portland, April 26th, 2015. After six years of service to the community, 22 high school seniors from The National Charity League, Inc. Portland Chapter were honored at a special celebration at the Sentinel Hotel. Most of the young women, including Natalie Kinsel, Isabel Klein and Adele English began volunteering with their mothers during seventh grade and in total, the seniors worked 3,069 hours.
NCL Seniors include: Front row: Manoy Arnold, Morgan Johnson, Madeline Chew, Audriana Bolton, Anna Dickson, and Elayna Caron. Second row: Michelle Tennant, Natalie Nielsen, Marie VanRysselberghe, Adele English, Isabel Klein, Claire Mersereau, Alexandra Ulmer, Madeline Cook, and Michaela Mueller. Third row Emily Angell, Elizabeth Keeney, Lizzie Allcock, Abigail Diess, Eleanor Valentine, Natalie Kinsel and Maria Bocci.
The theme for the event was “Walking on Sunshine” and the class chose to support Habitat for Humanity for their senor project by rolling up their sleeves and pouring in some sweat equity.
Madeline Chew and her mother, NCL Portland Chapter President, Laura Martin.
Kristen, Morgan and Jeffrey Johnson.
Lara and Michelle Tennant & Audriana and Nancy Bolton.
Adele English and her mother Elizabeth English
Sisters Genevieve Klein, Isabel Klein and Mariel Klein
From The Portland Chapter of National Charity League, Inc.: This chapter was chartered in April 1995 and was the first National Charity League chapter formed in the State of Oregon. Our chapter currently has 119 Patronesses and 140 Ticktockers. National Charity League, Inc. (NCL) is a non-profit national organization of mothers and daughters who join together in community involvement within local chapters throughout the United States. Our goal is to foster a sense of community responsibility and strengthen the mother-daughter relationship. Daughters participate in a six-year program of philanthropic work, educational activities and cultural events. Portland Chapter Mailing address: P.O. Box 25108 Portland, Oregon 97298
Portland, December 1st, 2013. Members of the Portland Chapter of the Nation Charity League were out in force at the Portland Golf Club for the organization’s annual tea. The club was decked out in holiday sparkle as the nearly 300 moms and daughters took time to celebrate the season including Lake Oswego Freshman Shannon Kehoe and Jesuit Freshman, Genevieve Klein. (NCL) is a non-profit national organization of mothers and daughters who join together in community involvement within local chapters throughout the United States. Last year members of the Portland Chapter volunteered a total of 7,567 in our local community.
NCL Portland Chapter Class of 2014
One of the Holiday Tea organizers, Elizabeth English with Chapter President Heather Waldrem
The tea included time for socializing and a fashion show.
NCL Senior Megan Gooding and her mother, Denise Gooding
Junior Isabel Klein and Senior Madeline Mathews
From the National Charity League:
The Portland Chapter of National Charity League, Inc. was chartered in April 1995 and was the first National Charity League chapter formed in the State of Oregon. Our chapter currently has 119 Patronesses and 140 Ticktockers.
National Charity League, Inc. (NCL) is a non-profit national organization of mothers and daughters who join together in community involvement within local chapters throughout the United States. Our goal is to foster a sense of community responsibility and strengthen the mother-daughter relationship.
Daughters participate in a six-year program of philanthropic work, educational activities and cultural events.
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