Portland, OR. The nonprofit Maurice Lucas Foundation announced a new college scholarship program to provide qualifying participants as much as $5,000 toward their post-high school education. Maurice Lucas Foundation Executive Director (and son of the NBA star) David Lucas welcomed guests. He was joined by his mother, board member Pamela Lucas who thanked Portland area business leader Howard Hedinger for kicking off the fundraising drive with a $25,000 donation. “Howard has been one of our strongest supporters since our very beginning in 2011,” said David Lucas. “As a result of his generous gift, we are naming our scholarship program in his honor. Of course, we invite others to follow Howard’s lead and join us in supporting this great cause.” (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)
Other guests at the celebration included former Trail Blazer Brian Grant.
The event was held in a party room in S.E. Portland.
Former Trail Blazer Bobby Gross is also a board member of the foundation.
The foundation’s teachers, mentors, tutors and coaches provide after-school education and sports programs to underserved Portland area students though its Maurice Lucas Foundation Academies. The nonprofit has a long-standing relationship with Irvington Middle School where participating students’ attendance and grades have improved dramatically.
“We help children learn, achieve, grow and build positive values,” David Lucas explained. “We focus our energies on helping middle school students. This new scholarship program enables us to continue assisting these students as they progress through high school and provide incentive for continuing their education.”
Academy participants will be able to receive up to $1,250 per year for up to four years if they fulfill the scholarship program’s academic and community involvement requirements. The foundation’s first group of eligible students will graduate high school in 2019.
The foundation has set a fundraising goal of $110,000 for the scholarship program. Those interested in supporting it can contact Lucas at (503) 880-4323.
The foundation honors the memory of Maurice Lucas, who died in 2010. He was the starting power forward on the Trail Blazers’ 1976–77 NBA Championship team.
About the Foundation:
The foundation is named in honor of Maurice Lucas (1952-2010), the starting forward on the 1977 NBA champion Portland Trail Blazers team. Besides his outstanding achievements on the court, Lucas also gave selflessly of his time and energy to Portland youth. The Maurice Lucas Foundation focuses on middle school kids in the Portland metro area. The foundation teaches life lessons through sport. After school programs, sports camps and outings change the lives of the youths who participate. Since its formation, 436 students have successfully completed the foundation’s academies and hundreds of others have participated in its sports programs. www.ml20.org
Portland, OR. The Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) welcomed nearly 800 of their most passionate supporters on September 24th to the 16th annual Wonderball. Analia Earhart, CCA Board Member; Regina Ellis, CCA Founder and Chief Joy Officer; and Jani Iverson, VP, Stand for Children enjoyed the star-studded Havana-themed nightclub experience that raised more than $1.3 million to further CCA’s mission of delivering joy to seriously ill children and their families. Billed as ¡El Baile! (The Dance!), and presented by Regence BlueCross BlueShield, the evening celebrated the vibrant colors, sounds, flavors, and styles of 1950s Havana. (Photo credit, Megan Henson)
Mary and Andy Lytle, CCA Board Chair & Division VP of Western US, Jackson Family Wines
Jeff and Susie Perkins, Andrea Corradini, (CCA Board Member & Women’s Global Senior Footwear Product Director, Nike Sportwear) and David Brown
Regina Ellis, CCA Founder and Chief Joy Officer; Ron and Lynn Penner-Ash, Penner-Ash Wine Cellars; Pieter De Temmerman, CEO, Pacific Data Partners
Tony Starlight, The Starella Sisters and Melao de Cuba get the Havana nightclub-themed party started
Tanya Cerda and Sandy Boedecker, VP Special Projects, Nike
Party guests included Scott Burton, CCA Board Member and Director of Community & Business Relations for Presenting Sponsor – Regence BlueCross BlueShield; Mark Mantei, CEO, Vancouver Clinic; Angela Dowling, President, Regence BlueCross BlueShield; and Sam Burton.
Foundation; David Lucas, Executive Director, Maurice Lucas Foundation; and Kaylyn Jones, Nike
Michelle DeCourcy, CCA Ambassador Board Member and Fashion Designer; and Seann McKeel, MyMusicRx Champion & Creative Director, You Who Rock Show for Kids
Wonderball Lead Partner, Thrivent Mutual Funds fills a table.
Keynote speaker, John Grothe, is the head PGA professional at Willamette Valley Golf Club. His family was served by CCA in 2014.
Chris Funk, The Decemberists; Abby Guyer, CCA VP of Brand; Andy Lytle, CCA Board Chair and Division VP – Western US Jackson Family Wines
Paul Schneider, owner, TWIST; Clare Hamill, CCA Founding Board Chair and VP Global Growth Initiatives, Nike; Doug Fish, President, Fish Marketing; and Morgan Dance
Wonderball Celebration Partner, Alaska Airlines was in the house. Pictured are Sana Gebarin (Horizon Air), Susie Desmond, Liz Skayhan (Alaska Airlines), Lou Ames (Horizon Airlines), Brad Lambert (Horizon Air), Gabby Lambert, Kaylyn Jones (Nike), and David Lucas (Maurice Lucas Foundation)
Katherine Durham, CCA Board Member and Chief Marketing Officer and VP, Individual Disability Insurance, The Standard; and Brad Durham
Latin American singer and songwriter, Edna Vasquez, along with Melao de Cuba, close out the evening
Albert Menashe, CCA Board Member, Co-Founder and Senior Shareholder, Gevurtz and Menashe; Regina Ellis, CCA Founder and Chief Joy Officer; and Michael Preisz, President & Founder, Preisz Financial
Sarah and Cedric Berry; Allison Clarke, CCA Ambassador Board Co-Chair, President, Allison Clarke Consulting; and Todd Dickens
Guests were treated to live music from Son de Cuba, classic cars on display from the Portland Roadster Show, and Cuban-themed food and drink. Tony Starlight, ¡El Baile! nightclub host, channeled Desi Arnaz for a festive conga solo and, along with dancers The Starella Sisters, introduced high energy performances from Melao de Cuba Orquesta, tap dancer Tony Palomino, salsa dancers Jennie Fremont & Rob Hilario, and a special guest appearance by Latin American singer-songwriter, Edna Vazquez, to close out the night.
From CCA:
“For 21 years CCA’s programs have been provided at no cost and today, we serve over 20,000 kids and their families annually,” said Regina Ellis, Founder and Chief Joy Officer of the Children’s Cancer Association in her address. “Make no mistake. With the power of JOY, we are out to change the world.”
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