Portland, OR. The evening began with a standing ovation and ended with a remarkable outpouring of generosity as a record-setting $631,000 was raised for the Providence Child Center and Center for Medically Fragile Children.Heart of Gold emcee Bill Schonely took time for a photo with Pat Moss, Jim Moss, Tina Gauthier and Tim Gauthier at the February 15th gala.
Since 1992, the Heart of Gold award has honored members of the community for their unwavering support for the young people at the Center for Medically Fragile Children. Past recipients include sports broadcaster Bill Schonely, real estate developer Joe Weston, civic leader Gerry Frank and well-known physician Don Romanaggi, M.D.
Carrie Petz, whose 15-year-old son Joel has lived at the center since age 3, delivered an emotional speech during the evening. “The child center has been our second home and we are so very grateful for the care Joel receives from the staff,” said Petz, noting the important role the center has played in her family.
Kyle Petz, center, and his parents, Nate and Carrie Petz gave emotional remarks at the event. Kyle’s twin brother, Joel Petz, is a resident at the Center for Medically Fragile Children.
Nate and Carrie Petz with sons Kyle and Joel.
For the finale, the “Heart of Gold” award was given to the 125 caregivers at the Center for Medically Fragile Children. These exceptional individuals bring their compassion, kindness, dedication and expertise to some of the most vulnerable young people in our community.
Providence Center for Medically Fragile Children’s 125 caregivers were honored this year for the compassion, kindness, dedication and expertise they bring to some of the most vulnerable children in our community.
“Once you spend time with these children, you are changed,” said Angela Shields, RN, as she accepted the honor surrounded by her fellow caregivers. “These kids teach us so much about life, patience and love.”
Past honorees gather for the 25th and final year of the Heart of Gold award celebration.
Providence Child Center board member Blake Howells, past Heart of Gold honoree Don Romanaggi, M.D., Dotty Schonely and Liz Howells
Past honoree and sports broadcaster Bill Schonely was the master of ceremonies at this year’s Heart of Gold event.
The Center for Medically Fragile Children is the only pediatric nursing facility of its kind in the Pacific Northwest that cares for children with profound disabilities and complex medical needs. The $631,000 raised at this year’s Heart of Gold finale will help endow the center to ensure that the young residents continue to receive the latest treatments, therapies and care inspired by this year’s honorees.
###
The Providence Child Center provides services for children of all abilities to help them reach their full potential and includes the Center for Medically Fragile Children, the only facility in the Northwest offering skilled-nursing care for children with profound disabilities and complex medical needs; Providence Children’s Development Institute; Swindells Resource Center for children and families; and Providence Wee Care. For more information, visit www.providence.org/childcenter.
Portland, February 21st, 2013. Supporters marked the 20th anniversary of the Providence Child Center Swindells Resource Center by donating more than $300,000. William Swindells, Jr. and Dick Clark, ED at SPV Foundation had a chance to catch up at the Pure Space event in Northwest, Portland.
Charlie Swindells at the Podium, Bill R. Swindells on right of image.
Children and their families who have used the Swindells Resource Center shared their touching stories during the event, and the Heart of Gold Award was presented to the Swindells family in loving memory of Jean Baton Swindells. The event also included a ceremony and dinner.
Amy Roloff, left, star of TLC’s reality show “Little People, Big World,” poses with Michelle Kennedy and her son, Evan Kennedy at the 2013 Heart of Gold event on Feb. 21. Michelle and Evan use the resources at the Swindells Center and visit Providence Neurodevelopmental Center for Children for speech and other therapies.
Past Heart of Gold award recipients are honored. Eloise Savage represents Providence Child Center Guild, Nancy Lematta, Ann Humberston, Karen Gaffney, Pat Becker, Pat Moss, Bill Schonely and Jim Moss.
Heart of Gold attendees place bids to raise money for the Swindells Resouce Center at Providence Child Center.
William Swindells, Jr.
The Swindells Center at Providence Child Center provides direct support and links to resources for families of children with disabilities in Oregon, including books, parenting groups and classes, speaker events and other materials. Services are offered at the main Portland location of the Swindells Center, as well as satellite sites in Hood River and Medford. All locations will benefit from donations given at Heart of Gold. When Jean Baton Swindells was born with Down syndrome in 1957, her parents, Ann and Bill Swindells Jr., had few places to turn for information, resources or support. After Jean died at the age of 33, the Swindells family provided the financial support to build the Jean Baton Swindells Resource Center. Established at Providence Child Center in 1994, it gives families the information the Swindells did not have when Jean was growing up.
“Jean inspired her parents, Ann and Bill, to provide the resources necessary for families all across Oregon to help their special needs children reach their fullest potential,” says Karen Santangelo, Providence Child Center Foundation president. “It’s only through community support that this important program is able to touch 12,000 families annually.”
Contributions from the Swindells family to Providence Child Center over the years have connected thousands of families, educators, providers and caregivers throughout Oregon with resources at little or no cost. The center has helped children regardless of age, language or diagnosis. Proceeds from the 2013 Heart of Gold event will support the ongoing work of Swindells Resource Center and provide support and resources for future generations of children and their families.
The Swindells Center at Providence Child Center provides direct support and links to resources for families of children with disabilities in Oregon, including books, parenting groups and classes, speaker events and other materials. Services are offered at the main Portland location of the Swindells Center, as well as satellite sites in Hood River and Medford.
For more information about the Providence Child Center Foundation, call 503-215-2406.
NONPROFIT BENEFIT TICKET GIVEAWAYS!
Sign up for our free weekly highlights for the chance to win two tickets terrific nonprofit events! If you "like" us on facebook, or sign up for our weekly news highlights, you'll be entered to win! Sign up today!
Look for another ticket giveaway soon! Are you a nonprofit looking to bolster your publicity with facebook and tweets? Email us and we'll run a contest with tickets to your event! [email protected]
