Portland, OR. Oregon Energy Fund (OEF) celebrated its 30th anniversary at its annual Power Gala on October 12th. The event raised more than $70,000, which will be used to support OEF’s mission to help Oregonians in financial crisis pay their energy bills. More than 100 guests attended the Roaring ’20s-themed event, which was held at the Sentinel Hotel and emceed by Joe Vithayathil of KPTV-FOX 12. Pictured above, showing off their 1920’s attire, are guests of Gold Sponsor Portland General Electric.
Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle, Multnomah County Commissioner Lori Stegmann, and OEF Executive Director Brian Allbritton are all smiles at the cocktail hour.
Volunteers John Wheatfall (PGE) and Arielle Freytag (Miss Oregon 2019) get ready to sell some raffle tickets.
Guests of Gold Sponsor McDowell Rackner Gibson PC enjoy their dinner in the Grand Ballroom
The Smut City Jellyroll Society Band serenades the room.
Throughout the evening, speakers reflected on OEF’s 30-year history and its impact on Oregonians across the state, such as a Marine Corps veteran who needed to keep the heat high in his home due to poor health, but was unable to keep up with the resulting costs. “For the last three decades, our work has been driven by the same core values: compassion, collaboration, and innovation,” said OEF Executive Director Brian Allbritton. “The funds raised tonight will help us provide a critical lifeline to the tens of thousands of Oregonians who sacrifice food or medicine to pay their bills each year. We couldn’t be more grateful to our amazing community of sponsors, donors, and friends.”
Board of Directors Vice President Sarah Simmons addresses the room.
Auctioneer Misty Marquam, back for her fifth gala with OEF.
Paige and Beth Sterrett cinch a winning bid in the live auction.
Charity and Christina Spires (Pacific Power) enjoy dessert at the end of the night.
Imagine a life without electricity. No A/C to keep you cool in the summer. No heat to warm your family in the winter. No stove, no refrigerator, no lights, no internet. For thousands of Oregon families, this scenario is all too real. A medical emergency or loss of income can quickly snowball into a financial crisis, leaving families with mounting debt and agonizing decisions. Buy food – or pay the electric bill? Give up light or medicine? Rent or heat? We believe no one should face these questions. The Oregon Energy Fund is a 30-year-old nonprofit that provides energy bill assistance to low-income Oregonians in support of household stability. Since 1989, OEF has helped almost 300,000 people pay their bills in times of crisis, ensuring that families in need don’t have to sacrifice food, rent, or medicine to pay for electricity. Through the direct service of energy assistance, we supply a basic need that prevents the triple traumas of illness, homelessness, and hunger, and gives children and adults alike the support they need to lead healthy and productive lives.
SnowCap board members Judi Allen and Bev Carlson discovered hot deals in the flower garden of prizes donated by Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Representative Carla Piluso, D-Gresham, returned as emcee of SnowCap auction as well as donating a rustic Italian dinner party for ten. Jim Liefeld and Gail Swanson fueled up for serious bidding.
JillMarie Wiles was auctioneer for the 380 guests in attendance at the March 11th auction at the Holiday Inn Portland Airport. Executive Director Judy Alley says SnowCap is a vital resource for many working families in East County. “The funds raised make it possible for us to serve our neighbors. Our clients are mostly the working poor, children, elderly or disabled. Support raised at this event is a sign of how much East Multnomah County cares for this community.” Program coordinators encourage people to help by choosing SnowCap on a Fred Meyer rewards card or when shopping at Smile.Amazon.com.
Jeanne Grant and Susan Sloan share a laugh with SnowCap Executive Director Judy Alley, who will retire this fall after 26 years of service. Snowcap administrative expenses constitute just 6.5% of total expenses.
SnowCap Warehouse Coordinator Jason Ingram is a man on a mission for chocolate in the Dessert Dash.
Some of the local sponsors for the benefit included: Les Schwab Tire Centers, The Boeing Company, Pacific Power, PGE, Parkrose Community United Church of Christ, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Alyson Huntting, Sally Gaudina, broker, RE/MAX Equity Group and Gethsemane Lutheran.
A multigenerational crew of 1,000 volunteers help the nonprofit run smoothly. Here’s a video about volunteering with the program:
From SnowCap:
SnowCap is located behind the Rockwood United Methodist Church at 17805 SE Stark.
To visit the pantry, enter using the west driveway from Stark Street.
Portland, September 16th. Nearly 25,000 runners and walkers took to the streets of downtown Portland for the 21st Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
Devon Downeysmith, Marketing & Communications Manager, Thomas Bruner, Chief Executive Officer of Portland and SW Washington Susan G. Komen and Toni Mountain, Survivor Programs Manager
The Komen Race for the Cure raises significant funds and awareness for the breast cancer movement. Every week 61 women in Oregon and Southwest Washington are diagnose with breast cancer, and sadly eleven women die. The Race for the Cure is a time to celebrate survivors and their families while raising money and working toward the promise of ending breast cancer. Enjoy this collection of the images from the event!
There are five different races: Timed 5k, Timed 8k, 1-mile walk, Untimed 5k run, and 5k Walk
The race brought traffic to a standstill on several downtown streets, but police try to keep motorists happy by advanced warnings and detours.
Family and friends formed, “The Chest Nuts”
Finish Line Volunteer Dee Madden gets a hug.
Some Local pageant winners off their support.
Survivors enjoy the support of their families.
Komen CEO, Thomas Bruner was pleased with the turnout. He expected the number of participants to be down about 17% from last year – likely due to the national controversy over the group’s decision to cut off, then restore funds for Planned Parenthood including breast cancer screenings. The Portland event raised an estimated $2.5 million in cash and in-kind services, short of the $3 million fundraising goal. Still, Portland’s dip was not as dramatic as many other cities including San Francisco and New York where participation was down 25%. Now it’s upward and onward for the Portland Komen Race for the Cure!
Michelle Price and Jackie were two of the hundreds of survivors inspired by the Race for the Cure!
It’s a family affair for many.
Part of the fun is getting dressed up.
Four legged friends feel the love.
It’s a chance to get creative!
No wigs are too big or too pink!
Survivors have a special finish line
The race requires hundreds of volunteers including this group of mothers and daughters from the National Charity League
NCL Portland Chapter volunteers, Marti Jacobsen and Martha Nielsen
Waterfront Park comes alive for a cause!
Survivors receive VIP treatment!
Touching the finish line banner is a tradition for many.
The Race for the Cure in Eugene will take place October 21st. Here’s a link to find out more: http://www.komenoregon.org/
From Komen: The effectiveness of Komen Oregon’s mission is entirely dependent on our network of sponsors and volunteers. Money raised by Race participants helps expand access to lifesaving screening and treatment while providing funding for cutting-edge breast cancer research.
For the past twenty years, Komen Oregon has provided tens of thousands of low-income women access to critical breast cancer screening and treatment. Our 360-degree approach is making a difference, with breast cancer mortality rates down and five-year survival rates up.
We support survivors by removing barriers to lifesaving care while also investing in cutting-edge research. Every major advance in global breast cancer research in the last quarter century has been touched by Komen for the Cure dollars.
Race for the Cure Local Sponsors:
CRYSTAL SPONSORS: Legacy Health Macy’s
Stash Tea
The Old Spaghetti Factory
The UPS Store – Greater Portland Locations
Wells Fargo
PATRON SPONSORS:
KPMG LLP
Metro West Ambulance
New Balance Portland
Shari’s Restaurants
Pacific Power
IN THE PINK SPONSORS
Honey Bucket
PrintGraphics
Adventist Health
Standard TV & Appliance
The Jay and Diane Zidell Charitable Foundation
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