Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest Creates Connections

Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest Creates Connections

by | Nov 19, 2022 | Events, Features, News

Portland, OR. Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest (BBBS) raised  $475,000 at its “Impact of a Connection” gala. After a two-year Covid-prompted hiatus, the benefit was held at The Redd on Salmon Street on September 22nd. It raised funds to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that supporters say help to ignite the power and promise of youth. At the event, Nick Kristof, New York Times Columnist, and Artis Stevens, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters America posed for a photo together. (Photo credit, Adam Levy)

Artis Stevens, President, and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters America

Beach Pace, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest

Lindsey Murphy, event emcee, and Alumni Little Sister

Owa Odighizuwa, Former NFL Player and Alumni of Little Brother, and Artis Stevens, President, and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters America

From Big Brothers Big Sisters:

The sun shined bright as guests arrived to enjoy the cocktail hour, packed with entertainment featuring saxophonist Eldon “T” Jones, Finn the Magician, a 360 photo booth, and delicious cocktails from Tito’s Handmade Vodka. We were joined by a special guest speaker, Artis Stevens, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, who gave a moving speech about the importance of mentorship in the lives of youth. Alumni Little, Lindsey Murphy, celebrated her 30th year in contact with her Big Sister, Melissa, a science teacher that inspired her to start her wildly popular Youtube show, the FabLab.

The night concluded with a celebration of the 2022 Bigs and Littles of the year highlighting the matches of Big Brother Gus and Little Brother Jason and Big Sister Monica and Little Sister Jeni who took the stage to accept their awards. As a community, we were able to raise a record-breaking $475,000 in support of our one-to-one mentoring programs here in Portland and SW Washington. One of the best parts of the night happened among all the staff and event volunteers after the event when, Beach Pace, BBBSCNW CEO, rallied everyone together to take a moment to take pride in all the work we had all put into this event.

A sincere thank you to everyone who made this event a beautiful success. It takes a village, and we are so glad you are a member of our village. Our sincerest appreciation goes out to our 2022 Gala Committee led by co-chairs Suzy Alexander, and Lee Lenker. A BIG thank you to our Presenting Sponsors Twenty Four 7 and Concentrix Catalyst, our Ignite Sponsors The Standard, OnPoint Community Credit Union, Nike, M Financial Group, Cambia Health Solutions, Anderson Construction, our Inspire Sponsors KPMG, Moss Adams, Comcast, Baird, General Sheet Metal, Hillsboro Hops, M Science, Sheldon Warmington & Janel Warmington and Table Sponsors @ACME, Advantis Credit Union, Brown & Brown Insurance. Barran Liebman LLP, Natasha Elhaj-Hedinger, Kaiser Permanente, Moda Health, North Highland, owamagbe odighizuwa, Pacific West Bank, Parker, Smith & Feek, TM Rippey Consulting Engineers and Xenium HR!

40th Anniversary Shamrock Run Benefits Doernbecher Children’s Hospital

40th Anniversary Shamrock Run Benefits Doernbecher Children’s Hospital

by | Mar 17, 2018 | Events, Features, News

Portland, OR. Founded in 1979, the adidas Shamrock Run Portland is one of the largest running and walking event in Oregon and is the third largest running event in the western United States. On March 18th, an estimated 30,000 participants will celebrate the 40th edition of the event at Waterfront Park. 

Route maps are available at the Shamrock Run website, but expect closures through noon on Naito Parkway, Southwest Barbur Boulevard, and on sections of Capitol Highway and Terwilliger Boulevard. All downtown bridges will remain open in both directions throughout the event. But the ramp from the west end of the Ross Island Bridge to Southwest Barbur Boulevard will be closed from 6 a.m.-1 p.m.

During the past 22 years, Shamrock Run Portland has made charitable gifts totaling more than $1.3 million. Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation has been the principal beneficiary of the Shamrock Run for the past 21 years. Shamrock has donated more than $550,000 to Doernbecher during this time. The Foundation provides power, potential and promise for one of America’s leading pediatric health centers: Doernbecher Children’s Hospital at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland.

The St. Patrick’s Day themed Irish runs feature:  5k, 8k, 15k and half marathon running events, a 4-mile Shamrock Stride walk, and a 1k Leprechaun Lap for kids.  Set on Portland’s downtown waterfront, the event brings live main stage music, a beer garden, hot soup, and a myriad of vendors. 

There’s complimentary beer for finishers 21 and older. Widmer Brothers Brewing beer garden will feature: Russell Street IPA, Steel Bridge Porter, and Hefe. 

The adidas Shamrock Run is sponsored by adidas, Widmer Brothers Brewing, Moda Health, Bob’s Red Mill, GEICO, nuun hydration, iHeart radio and KGW Newschannel 8. The primary beneficiary of the event is Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation, which has been affiliated with Shamrock for the past 21 years.

 
Here’s a video from last years Shamrock Run: 

Shamrock Weekend kicks-off with the adidas Shamrock Run Fitness Fair. This two-day event at the Oregon Convention Center on March 16th and 17th is in conjunction with Shamrock participant bib number and T-shirt pickup. The Fitness Fair features more than 80 running and fitness exhibitors, celebrities and mascots, contests and give-aways and a Leprechaun Lane area for kids. More than 25,000 people attend the Shamrock Fitness Fair, presented by Moda Health.