Camp Fire Columbia’s Biggest Talent Show to Date

Camp Fire Columbia’s Biggest Talent Show to Date

by | Mar 19, 2016 | Events, Features, Uncategorized

Portland, March 4th, 2016. The sixth annual Camp Fire Columbia Talent Show went “back to school.” Presented by The Standard and Bank of America, this year the event was held at a new venue: Revolution Hall, the former location of Washington High School. Camp Fire Columbia Middle School Program Coordinator Mustafah Finney appeared onstage with Camp Fire Youth Leader Julant’e Jefferson. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)

Attendees and local businesses supported the mission to build caring confident youth and future leaders. Organizers raised over $146,000–the most ever at the Talent Show. 

Camp Fire Columbia CEO Emily Gilliland, Camp Fire alum Sarahi Uribe-Mejia with her son Benji and some of the Camp Fire youth performers on stage at this year's Talent Show

Camp Fire Columbia CEO Emily Gilliland, Camp Fire alum Sarahi Uribe-Mejia with her son Benji and some of the Camp Fire youth performers on stage at this year’s Talent Show

Dave Gorman and team from Talent Show Presenting Sponsor Bank of America

Dave Gorman and his team from the Talent Show represented Presenting Sponsor, Bank of America.

Talent Show guests Juan Martinez, Jeana Frazzini, Bryon Beck join Camp Fire Columbia board member Jake Kindrachuk (back) and Samantha Swaim from Swaim Strategies

Talent Show guests Juan Martinez, Jeana Frazzini, Bryon Beck join Camp Fire Columbia board member Jake Kindrachuk (back) and Samantha Swaim from Swaim Strategies.

Bob Speltz and team from Talent Show Presenting Sponsor The Standard.

Bob Speltz and his team from the Talent Show represented Presenting Sponsor, The Standard.

Featured at the event was youth leader Julant’e Jefferson, whose story inspired a standing ovation.

Youth leader Julant’e Jefferson, received a standing ovation.

The evening started off with food by Devil’s Food Catering, cupcakes from Cupcake Jones, and photo booth by Phototainment Portland. Guests played a ring toss game from Lagunitas Brewing Co. (official beer sponsor for #TalentShow2016), picked up grab bags filled with goodies from local businesses like Sock It To Me, purchased bottles of wine from the wine wall, and bid on live auction packages including various stays at Camp Namanu (the organization’s 552 acre summer camp in Sandy, OR). They raised their paddles to support the critical work of Camp Fire Columbia, which provides a wide variety of programs that connect students to their “spark,” increase academic performance, and ensure that every kid has access to the outdoors.

This event was filled with youth performances including: Ubuntu, the Menlo Park Elementary Marimba band; Sunset Strummers – a K-5 ukulele band accompanied by the Sunset Singers from Sunset Primary; and middle school slam poets from Cesar Chavez School. These Camp Fire youth showcased their “sparks” and put on a great show to a packed crowd.

Featured at the event was youth leader Julant’e Jefferson, whose story inspired a standing ovation. Over the years Camp Fire staff have worked with him, he’s gone from being a rambunctious middle school student to a valued member of their Youth Advisory Committee.

Check out his story:

From Camp Fire Columbia:

Camp Fire Columbia’s programs directly serve over 3,000 kids ages 5-18 each year across the greater Portland metro region, and help serve thousands more children and families broadly each year through partnerships and special projects.

Camp Fire is where every kid belongs. Not just some kids. Every kid.

Every penny raised at this year’s Talent Show empowers us to work with kids who need us most. Camp Fire provides the opportunity to find their spark, lift their voice, and discover who they are. In Camp Fire, it begins now.

For more information and to volunteer with Camp Fire Columbia visit: www.campfirecolumbia.org.

Equity Foundation’s 2014 ​Women Who Lead Luncheon is Uplifting

Equity Foundation’s 2014 ​Women Who Lead Luncheon is Uplifting

by | Jun 4, 2014 | Events, Features, Uncategorized

Portland, May 15th, 2014. The Women Who Lead Luncheon honors women who improve opportunities and expanded political and social participation for underrepresented communities. At the event, Aimee Santos-Lyons and Moira Bowman gathered with friends. The Luncheon at the Nines Hotel was created in 2012 by the Equity Foundation. This year, Jeana Frazzini (Basic Rights Oregon) and Melanie Davis (PQ Monthly/El Hispanic News) were awarded the Women Who Lead Leadership Award, and Kathleen Saadat was the recipient of the Women Who Lead Lifetime Achievement Award. The purpose and mission of the Equity Foundation is to “leverage resources to create social, economic, and political equity for the LGBTQ community”.

Event emcee, Ann Schatz speaks to the crowd.

Event emcee, Ann Schatz speaks to the crowd. 

From OHSU Crystal Roberts and Valerie Scott-Cardenas

From OHSU Crystal Roberts and Valerie Scott-Cardenas

Mary Rita Hurley, Penelope Mandell, and Tom Griffin

Mary Rita Hurley, Penelope Mandell, and Tom Griffin

Board Member and Director; St. James Child Development Center, Patrick Earnest and Ryan Wayman from Mass Mutual

Board Member and Director; St. James Child Development Center, Patrick Earnest and Ryan Wayman from Mass Mutual

Vice Chair of Equity Foundation Board and PSU Head Women's Basketball Coach, Sherri Murrell poses with attorney Jody Stahancyk from Stahancyk, Kent, & Hook P.C. pose for the camera

Vice Chair of Equity Foundation Board and PSU Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Sherri Murrell poses with attorney Jody Stahancyk from Stahancyk, Kent, & Hook P.C. pose for the camera

Jean Rosenbaum shows off her outfit for the camera

Jean Rosenbaum shows off her outfit for the camera

Equity Foundation Executive Director, Karol Collymore present the leadership to Basic Rights Oregon's Executive Director, Jeana Frazzini

Equity Foundation Executive Director, Karol Collymore present the leadership to Basic Rights Oregon’s Executive Director, Jeana Frazzini

Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Kathleen Saadat talks with Luncheon attendees

Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Kathleen Saadat talks with Luncheon attendees

PQ Monthly owner and publisher, and Leadership Award recipient, Melanie Davis and her partner Gabriela (FR) introduce themselves to attendees

PQ Monthly owner and publisher, and Leadership Award recipient, Melanie Davis and her partner Gabriela (FR) introduce themselves to attendees

(L) Annette Campista, Vice President and Planning Committee member poses with attendees

Annette Campista, Vice President and Planning Committee member (0n the left) poses with attendees

From the Equity Foundation:

This Luncheon is our chance to gather together to celebrate and award women who use their voices and their actions to advance equality for the LGBTQ community. They are thinkers and doers—women who pursue their vision with determination and a focus on impact. This award recognizes their commitment to social justice, activism and passion for community-led solutions. It celebrates two high-powered women who are making a difference—leaders who have changed the face of business, education, women’s health, sports and more. These two individuals represent the courage, commitment, and innovative thinking of all the remarkable people who work on the frontlines of social change. Through their extraordinary vision and courageous work, these women are improving the lives of all people in our community.