Hard Hat & Black Tie Dinner and Auction A Blast for Habitat for Humanity

Hard Hat & Black Tie Dinner and Auction A Blast for Habitat for Humanity

Portland, October 12th. More hardworking families in need will have Habitat for Humanity homes thanks to the generosity of fun-loving donors like Susie Vischer, Dick Firsich, Jim Boyer, Barbara Boyer, Sharon Firsich. They’re toasting the success of  Habitat Hard Hat & Black Tie Dinner Benefit Auction at The Nines which raised $169,000. (Photo credit, Sarah Galbraith Photography)

Dawn Holden, Damon Mapes, Tiffany Mapes

Dawn Holden, Damon Mapes, Tiffany Mapes celebrate.

It was a group effort for Gail Hart, Mitchell Wright, with Emcee Reggie Aqui and auctioneer Steve Talbot.

It was a group effort for Gail Hart, Mitchell Wright, with Emcee Reggie Aqui and auctioneer Steve Talbot.

Michelle DaRosa, Reianna DaRosa, Julia DaRosa, Nicole Patterson

Michelle DaRosa, Reianna DaRosa, Julia DaRosa, Nicole Patterson

Marion Thomspon

Marion Thomspon raised the paddle.

From Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East:

Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East serves Multnomah County and northern Clackamas County and has the ability to reach out to families one step away from homelessness. Habitat sells homes to hardworking people in need of decent, affordable housing. We are an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a non-denominational Christian housing ministry and global home building movement. We welcome people from all walks of life to partner with our program to serve families in need with generosity, humility and love.

Habitat offers homeownership opportunities to families making $21,900 – $43,800 (for a family of four) by selling homes at cost, making no profit, after the family contributes 500 sweat equity hours. Houses are sold at cost because of volunteer labor and donations. Families pay a 1% down payment on a 0%- interest mortgage. Instead of being in a vulnerable and fragile economic position, Habitat families find themselves in a position of strength.

As the oldest Habitat for Humanity affiliate on the West Coast, and the largest in Oregon, Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East has served low-income, hardworking families for over 30 years and has served over 200 families. Our homeowners are committed and successful. We have experienced less than a 1% default rate on our mortgages, lower than the national average. By providing a hand up, not a handout, our program maintains the dignity and pride of our homeowner families.

Our Vision

A community where everyone has a simple, decent, affordable place to live; and where poverty housing is unacceptable.

Our Mission

To create successful homeownership by partnering hardworking families in need with the community to build healthy, affordable homes.

Our Values

  • Diversity and Inclusiveness – We believe that all people deserve a simple, decent place to live, and have something to contribute in building homes and helping our communities. We welcome people from all walks of life to partner with our program.
  • Homeownership – We believe in the power of homeownership to affirm dignity, encourage hope, and transform lives. A healthy, stable home improves the quality of life, both for the family and the community.
  • Families as Partners – We believe that dignity is promoted not simply by living in an adequate house, but by fully contributing to the process of building and buying that home and helping others acquire adequate shelter.
  • Volunteerism – We believe in the volunteer spirit and are committed to offering rewarding volunteer experiences.
  • Stewardship – We are committed to excellence, to efficient use of our financial, environmental, and human resources, and we are accountable to our funders, volunteers, and family partners.
  • Collaboration – We strive to create strong, productive partnerships with organizations and area housing providers toward our common goal of eliminating substandard housing.

Want to know more? Read our Frequently Asked Questions or see who qualifies for our program.

Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization. If you would like more information about our organization or programs, please contact us at 503-287-9529. Thank you for your interest!

Wine and Chocolate Extravaganza Boosts Youth, Rights & Justice

Wine and Chocolate Extravaganza Boosts Youth, Rights & Justice

Portland, October 13th. Over 250 guests attended Youth, Rights & Justice‘s Wine & Chocolate Extravaganza at the Oregon Convention Center.  Emcee Stephanie Stricklen from KGW-TV led guests through wine and chocolate tasting, dinner and dessert dash, and silent and live auctions. Just over $71,000 was raised in support of Oregon’s most vulnerable children and youth. Knowledge Universe was the title sponsor, and Tonkon Torp, LLP the presenting sponsor. (Photo credit, Merrie Lisa Conroy)

David Roy, speaking on behalf of Title Sponsor, Knowledge Universe

David Roy, speaking on behalf of Title Sponsor, Knowledge Universe

Silent auction and wine and chocolate tasting

Silent auction and wine and chocolate tasting

Honorary Chair, Rep. Tina Kotek

Honorary Chair, Rep. Tina Kotek

Golden Ticket winner, Merrie Lisa Conroy to auctioneer, Graham Crow: "I want the puppy!"

Golden Ticket winner, Merrie Lisa Conroy to auctioneer, Graham Crow:
“I want the puppy!”

Wine tasting was provided by Cooper Mountain Vineyard, Eos Wine Selections, Methven Family Vineyards, Pheasant Valley Vineyard and Winery, Sineann Winery, Sokol Blosser Winery, and Walnut City WineWorks.

Chocolate tasting was provided by Euphoria Chocolate Company, Missionary Chocolates, Stirs the Soul, and the Wallowa Lake Fudge Company.

Guests bid on centerpieces handcrafted by Bella Bevanda Candles. Made by local artisan, Jennifer Humphrey, the organic, soy candles are crafted using up-cycled wine bottles. For the event, Jennifer made 90 candles using bottles from the wineries participating at the event.

Speakers for the evening included Oregon House Democratic Leader, Tina Kotek; Knowledge Universe Director of Community Partnerships, David Roy; and Jennifer Williamson, advocate for education and justice, and her husband, Paul Loving.

The Golden Ticket raffle raised $5,000, and the winner chose her prize from among the live auction items: a miniature labradoodle puppy donated by Dixie Springer of Springville Labradoodles.  The hottest item in the live auction was a ticket to a private dinner party with local New York Times bestselling author, Cheryl Strayed, and catered by Kaaren Bedi.  Tickets went for $350 per person.

About Youth, Rights & Justice: Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable children and families through legal representation and advocacy in the courts, legislature, schools and community. Founded in 1975, we are Oregon’s premiere authority on juvenile law. We are the only non-profit law firm in the state dedicated to representing children in the courts and ensuring that Oregon’s laws protect the rights and well-being of children and their families.

Oregon Harvest Dinner raises $562,000  to support Oregon Food Bank

Oregon Harvest Dinner raises $562,000 to support Oregon Food Bank

Portland, October 20th.  Close to 500 people attended Oregon Food Bank’s 2012 Oregon Harvest Dinner which raised money to help fight hunger in Oregon and Clark County. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus Photography) Happy supporters included: Robin Gardner; Arnie Gardner, chair of Oregon Food Bank’s Board of Directors; Susannah Morgan, Oregon Food Bank’s newly hired CEO; and Rachel Bristol, who recently retired as CEO. (Photo credit, Sarah Jo Galbraith)

Susannah Morgan, Oregon Food Bank’s newly hired CEO, speaks at OFB’s 2012 Oregon Harvest Dinner, Oct. 20, in the Rachel M. Bristol Warehouse at OFB’s headquarters in northeast Portland. The annual event raised $562,000 to help fight hunger in Oregon and Clark County, Wash. The event featured performances by Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theatre Program in collaboration with Oregon Children’s Theatre. Executive Chef Michael Stanton of The Heathman Restaurant and Bar, created the dinner. Photo by Sarah Jo Galbraith.

Susannah Morgan, Oregon Food Bank’s newly hired CEO, addresses the crowd.

“We thank our generous sponsors and donors for making this year’s Oregon Harvest Dinner a huge success,” said Laura Golino de Lovato, OFB’s director of development, marketing and communications. OFB Board members Lisa Sedlar and Syd Hannigan co-chaired the event in the Rachel M. Bristol Warehouse at OFB’s headquarters in northeast Portland. Sheila Hamilton of KINK.fm 102 emceed. Executive Chef Michael Stanton of The Heathman Restaurant and Bar, created the dinner. Oregon Harvest Dinner is Oregon Food Bank’s second-largest fundraiser after the Waterfront Blues Festival.

Ron Johnson, member of Oregon Food Bank’s Board of Directors, and his wife Gayl Johnson talk with Syd Hannigan, fellow board member and co-chair of Oregon Food Bank’s 2012 Oregon Harvest Dinner, Oct. 20, in the Rachel M. Bristol Warehouse at Oregon Food Bank’s headquarters in northeast Portland.  The event is Oregon Food Bank’s biggest fundraiser after the Waterfront Blues Festival. Photo by Sarah Jo Galbraith.

Ron Johnson, member of Oregon Food Bank’s Board of Directors, and his wife Gayl Johnson talk with Syd Hannigan, fellow board member and co-chair of Oregon Food Bank’s 2012 Oregon Harvest Dinner.

Lisa Sedlar, who co-chaired Oregon Food Bank’s 2012 Oregon Harvest Dinner along with Syd Hannigan, announces the results of the successful event. The 2012 Oregon Harvest Dinner, which took place Oct. 20, in the Rachel M. Bristol Warehouse at OFB’s headquarters in northeast Portland, raised $562,000 to support OFB’s mission: to eliminate hunger and its root causes. Photo by Sarah Jo Galbraith.

Lisa Sedlar, who co-chaired Oregon Food Bank’s 2012 Oregon Harvest Dinner, announced the results of the successful event to help eliminate hunger and its root causes.

Close to 500 Oregon Food Bank supporters attended the Oregon Food Bank’s 2012 Oregon Harvest Dinner, Oct. 20, and raised $562,000 to support OFB’s mission. OFB Board members Lisa Sedlar and Syd Hannigan co-chaired the event in the Rachel M. Bristol Warehouse at OFB’s headquarters in northeast Portland. Photo by Sarah Jo Galbraith.

Sponsors included Fred Meyer, presenting sponsor; Daimler Trucks North America, premier sponsor; New Seasons Market, major sponsor; and lead sponsors Nike, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Tillamook County Creamery Association, Walmart and Walsh Construction.

Oregon Food Bank will use the funds to support its mission: to eliminate hunger and its root causes … because no one should be hungry.

Go Red For Women Luncheon Raises $142,599 to Fight Heart Disease

Go Red For Women Luncheon Raises $142,599 to Fight Heart Disease

Portland, October 9th. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, but hundreds of American Hearth Association supporters joined forces at the annual Go Red for Women luncheon to raise money and learn how it can be prevented. At The Nines Hotel, they heard from  Julie O’Leary, a heart attack survivor who had her husband, Chris by her side. The $142,599 raised at the event is earmarked for life-saving research, education, advocacy and more in Oregon & SW Washington.

Local firefighters handing out “blinky hearts” to guests who made donations

Local firefighters handed out “blinky hearts” to guests who made donations.

Julie O’Leary, heart attack survivor and guest speaker,

Julie O’Leary told supporters the story of her heart attack .

Go Red Heart Health Panelists:  Dr. Laurie Armsby with OHSU; Sandra McDonough with the Portland Business Alliance; Susan Sokol Blosser of Sokol Blosser Winery and DJ Wilson with KGW NewsChannel 8 (Moderated by Susan Mullaney with Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center)

Go Red Heart Health Panelists: Dr. Laurie Armsby with OHSU; Sandra McDonough with the Portland Business Alliance; Susan Sokol Blosser of Sokol Blosser Winery and DJ Wilson with KGW NewsChannel 8 (Moderated by Susan Mullaney with Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center)

Shauna Parsons was the emcee.

Shauna Parsons was the emcee.

Chairwoman Susan Mullaney with Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center

Chairwoman Susan Mullaney with Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center

 

About the event:

Cardiovascular disease, which claims the lives of 460,000 annually, is the No. 1 cause of death among women. The annual Go Red for Women Luncheon is aimed at raising funds and public awareness to fight the disease.

www.PDXGoRedLuncheon.org

 

Here’s some good general information to review:

Overview
More women die of cardiovascular disease than from the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer. But 80 percent of cardiac events in women could be prevented if women made the right choices for their hearts involving diet, exercise and abstinence from smoking. Make it your mission to learn all you can about heart attacks and stroke — don’t become a statistic. CALL 9-1-1

Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot. If this clot cuts off the blood flow completely, the part of the heart muscle supplied by that artery begins to die.

Signs of a Heart Attack:

  1. Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
  2. Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
  3. Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
  4. Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
  5. As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

If you have any of these signs, don’t wait more than five minutes before calling for help. Call 9-1-1…Get to a hospital right away.

Stroke
Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death in America. It’s also a major cause of severe, long-term disability. Stroke and TIA (transient ischemic attack) happen when a blood vessel feeding the brain gets clogged or bursts. The signs of a TIA are like a stroke, but usually last only a few minutes. If you have any of these signs, don’t wait more than five minutes before calling for help.

Call 9-1-1 to get help fast if you have any of these, but remember that not all of these warning signs occur in every stroke.

Signs of Stroke and TIAs

  1. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
  2. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
  3. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  4. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  5. Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Also, check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared. It’s very important to take immediate action. Research from the American Heart Association has shown that if given within three hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug can reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.

New Study Show High Net Worth Givers Favor Education and Basic Needs

New Study Show High Net Worth Givers Favor Education and Basic Needs

Portland, October 31st. A report, written and researched by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and released by Bank of America shows the following:

In 2011, high net worth households were most likely to give to education (79.6 percent), basic needs (79.3 percent), and arts and culture (68.8 percent). By comparison, the nonprofit categories receiving the largest proportion of all high net worth dollars included education (27.6 percent), giving vehicles (23.4 percent), and religion (12.6 percent). In addition, in 2011, high net worth donors focused their largest gifts on religious organizations (35.9 percent) and organizations involved in education (25.0 percent), followed by organizations focused on health (8.2 percent).

Click here to see to the whole report.

According to the research, as in previous years, high net worth households revealed a strong commitment to charitable causes in 2011. That year, 95 percent of high net worth households donated to at least one charity. This figure is in contrast to the approximately 65 percent of the general population who give.1 The percentage of all high net worth households that gave in 2011, however, decreased from its peak of 98 percent in 2009.
The rate of volunteering by high net worth individuals continues to grow. In 2011, 89 percent of high net worth individuals volunteered, up 10 percentage points from 2009. Over one-third (35.1 percent) of these individuals volunteered more than 200 hours in 2011.
High net worth individuals were most likely to volunteer on their own (78.5 percent), rather than with family, friends, or coworkers in 2011. In addition, these individuals were most likely to have served on a nonprofit board (60.6 percent) or to have spent time on board-serving activities (an average of 144.6 hours) compared with other volunteer activities.
In general, high net worth individuals who volunteer tend to give to charity more often than those who do not, and high net worth individuals who volunteer more tend to give more. However, there are exceptions. In 2011, high net worth individuals who volunteered 101 to 200 hours gave the highest average amount at $95,868, while those who volunteered more than 200 hours gave the second-highest average amount at $68,619.
High net worth donors gave the highest average amount in contributions to organizations both where they volunteered and believed their gift would have the largest impact ($102,642). By comparison, in 2009, high net worth donors gave the highest average amount to organizations where they served on the board or had an oversight role ($84,551, adjusted to 2011 dollars).

In 2011, the majority of high net worth donors had a giving strategy (70.9 percent) and had a budget for their giving (60.5 percent). Just 5 percent of high net worth donors reported having a mission statement for their charitable activity. Correspondingly, a smaller percentage of high net worth donors gave spontaneously in response to a need in 2011 compared with 2009, at 40 percent and 47 percent, respectively.

 

About the study:

The 2012 Bank of America Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy examines the giving patterns, priorities, and attitudes of America’s wealthiest households for the year 2011. This study, the fourth in a series written and researched by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University in partnership with Bank of America (in particular, U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management), builds on previous studies issued in 2006, 2008, and 2010. In addition, this partnership has produced two other reports — the 2011 Study of High Net Worth Women’s Philanthropy and the Impact of Women’s Giving Networks and the 2006 Bank of America Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy: Portraits of Donors. Together, all of these studies provide valuable information about high net worth giving across multiple dimensions to be used by nonprofit professionals, charitable advisors, donors, and others interested in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector.