Friends of the Children’s Benefit Raises Over $1.93 million

Friends of the Children’s Benefit Raises Over $1.93 million

Portland, May 9th, 2013. Friends of the Children’s “Friend Raiser” drew 720 of Portland’s business and community leaders to celebrate 20 years of Mentor Power. Priscilla Bernard Wieden & Dan Wieden, founder of Wieden+Kennedy, made their way through the high-five tunnel. The inspiring event, presented by Key Bank, raised over $1.93 million to continue to transform the lives of Portland’s most vulnerable children. This record-breaking fundraising exceeded the prior year’s total by almost half a million dollars. (photo credit, Phototainment and Studio McDermott)

Terri Sorensen, President, Friends of the Children; Program youth; Craig Robinson, OSU Men's Basketball Coach; and Cindy Campbell, Founder, Friends of the Children.

Terri Sorensen, President, Friends of the Children; Program youth; Craig Robinson, OSU Men’s Basketball Coach; and Cindy Campbell, Founder, Friends of the Children.

Friends of Children exceeded its goal for the Quest Foundation challenge match of $168,000. The funds will support five professional mentors (known as Friends) and 40 youth in the program. Friends of the Children provides our most vulnerable children a stable relationship with a professional mentor for 12 ½ years – from kindergarten to high school graduation. 12 ½ years. No matter what.

Peter Andrews, board member Maddie Andrews, Courtney Francis Campbell, and Courtney Campbell.

Peter Andrews, board member Maddie Andrews, Courtney Francis Campbell, and Courtney Campbell. 

The Friend Raiser benefit was held at the Friends of the Children offices. The steering committee was led by Cindy Campbell, Diana Hall, Geri Miner, and Pam Strickfaden. It was an uplifting party with gourmet food from some of the best restaurants in town. Thanks to the continued success of this event, Friends of Children has been able to provide professional mentors to more vulnerable children than in the past; currently the nonprofit serves over 400 children in over 100 schools in the Portland metropolitan area.

Board members Andrae Brown and Allyson Harris, supporter Greg Goodwin, Kuni Automotive, State Treasurer Ted Wheeler, and board member Ken Thrasher make their way through the high-five tunnel into the tent for the live program.

Board members Andrae Brown and Allyson Harris, supporter Greg Goodwin, Kuni Automotive, State Treasurer Ted Wheeler, and board member Ken Thrasher make their way through the high-five tunnel into the tent for the live program.

Teri Folsom and Jerome Kersey, former Portland Trail Blazers Forward, pause for a smile with a program youth and his mentor/Friend, Chon.

Teri Folsom and Jerome Kersey, former Portland Trail Blazers Forward, pause for a smile with a program youth and his mentor/Friend, Chon.

From Friends of Children:

Mission
To provide our most vulnerable children a nurturing and sustained relationship with a professional mentor who teaches positive values and has attainable expectations for each child to become a healthy, productive member of the community.

Vision
To provide a Friend to all vulnerable children who need one and to change the way the world views and treats our most vulnerable children.

President Obama Greeted by Brother-in-law and OSU Coach Craig Robinson on Portland Campaign Trip

President Obama Greeted by Brother-in-law and OSU Coach Craig Robinson on Portland Campaign Trip

Portland, July 24th. The President landed at the Oregon Air National Guard base and met with greeters, including his brother-in-law OSU basketball coach Craig Robinson. White House journalists who travel with the President were treated to Voodoo Donuts. According to Jeff Mapes, they were quite amazed by the bacon maple bars. In a lighthearted moment, President  Obama asked local reporters, “Got any granola?”

Some protesters, traffic issues for Obama's fundraiser- he asked reporters, "Got any granola?

The quick fundraising visit brought out protesters and created traffic snarls.

The President held two fund-raising events. An invitation-only gathering where 25 people paid $30,000 each to meet with the President, according to campaign officials. He also attended a fundraising lunch, where 950 people paid about $500 to attend. At the Oregon Convention Center, President Obama told supporters, “It’s wonderful to be back in Portland, one of the memories I love is the rally we had by the water four years ago, it was just as pretty as can be. There were people kayaking and in boats, you could see just as far as… it was just beautiful.”

Along with supporters, protesters lined the streets outside the convention center. Many waved signs pushing for stricter gun laws in the wake of the mass shooting in Colorado.

The First Family has a warm relationship with OSU basketball coach Craig Robinson. That connection brought Robinson’s sister, First Lady Michelle Obama, to Oregon State University’s graduation last spring.

Michelle Obama was the keynote speaker at the main graduation ceremony for Oregon State University on Sunday, June 17, 2012.

Michelle Obama was the keynote speaker at the main graduation ceremony for Oregon State University on Sunday, June 17, 2012.

Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republic presidential nominee, visited Portland in June. Romney was in Portland for a luncheon at the downtown Governor Hotel. The event was not open to the public or media. The event reportedly cost $2,500 per person to attend.

Look for more campaign visits from the Presidential candidates in advance of the November 6th General election.