37th Annual Providence Festival of Trees Draws 20,000

37th Annual Providence Festival of Trees Draws 20,000

Portland, OR. The 37th annual Providence Festival of Trees was a lively kick-off for a season of philanthropic holiday events. The four-day festival raised nearly $1.5 million, had 20,000 visitors and featured more than 100 decorated trees, mini-trees, and holiday displays. The event has raised more than $18 million since it began in 1983. At an opening night gala on December 5th, Chief Philanthropy Officer for Providence Foundations of Oregon, Kelly Buechler, posed for a photo with Blake and Liz Howells, and daughter Ellie. One decorated tree took top honors:

Best of Show was “Country Christmas” sponsored by Play Smart Youth Heart Screenings.
Designers: Leslie Radke, Sandy Miller, and friends

Steve Dunn and Angelica Thornton from KATU serve as hosts for the evening.

Doug Cain, Executive Director of Providence Newberg Health Foundation and wife Jill

Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree entertains.

Auctioneer Johnna Wells and Safeway’s Jill McGinnis are joined by raffle tree winner Cheri Hick

Johnna Wells with Rick Mahler from Packhouz Jewelers announce the winner of the Diamond raffle – 75 tickets sold for the 75th anniversary of the child center.

After the gala dinner auction, the halls are thrown open for visitors.

The money raised supports the programs and services of Providence Health & Services, providing critically needed health care for children and adults and advancing nationally recognized clinical research.

From Providence:

Many thanks to the donors, community partners and local businesses who generously provided financial support and in-kind gifts – and to the hundreds of volunteers who worked long hours to create the festival’s magic and help local children make special holiday memories.

36th Annual Providence Festival of Trees Raises $1.6 Million

36th Annual Providence Festival of Trees Raises $1.6 Million

Portland, OR. The 36th annual Providence Festival of Trees wrapped up after four days of holiday fun and 20,000 visitors enjoying the most impressive and uniquely decorated trees in the festival’s history. 

It was also a year of record-breaking fundraising for Providence Children’s Health. Between the tree auction and ticket sales, the festival raised $1,610,000 for newborn services. The money will fund research in delayed umbilical cord clamping – a study being done by Providence researchers to boost infant brain development. Funds will help Providence Beginnings – a program for underserved and at-risk pregnant women. Proceeds will also help clinical teams in rural communities get help with high-risk deliveries through Providence telemedicine.

The People’s Choice Award for the public show was Tree-Ranosaurus Rex
Sponsor: CIDA Inc./ LKA Fundraising & Communications

The designers were Lynne Sheppard, Connie Poppy and Jim Sheppard.

The fundraiser kicked off with a auction on November 29th. 

Dave Salesky of KATU broadcasting the weather live from the Festival floor.

Archbishop Sample visits with friends to kick off the Christmas season.

Over 850 people were in attendance.

Patrick Lamb Band performs with Derrick McDuffy and Kingdom Sound.

Guests enjoy a photo op among the beautiful trees.

Tree Name: Twilight at Timberline
Sponsor: The Kendall Family
Designers: Leslie Radke, Sandy Miller, Martin Stone, Carol Nielsen and Judy Han

Tree Name: Natale Italiano Sportivo
Sponsor: Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo
Designers: Nicole Schatz, Judi Smith, Rawlen Smith and Chuck Stevens

Tree Name: Who? Who’s coming to town?
Sponsor: iHeart Media
Designers: Sandy Miller, Shelly Hamann, Mark Johnson, family and friends

Tree Name: Home Sweet Home
Sponsor: Northwest Society of Interior Designers
Designers: Gayle Standage, Terrance Mason, Susie Buchanan, Judy Cusack, Brittany Kurtz, Kaitlyn Danna, Jared Hermann, and Mark Tracy

From Providence:

Many thanks to the donors, community partners and local businesses who generously provided financial support and in-kind gifts – and to the hundreds of volunteers who worked long hours to create the festival’s magic and help local children make special holiday memories.

Portland Timbers Stand Together With Local Nonprofits

Portland Timbers Stand Together With Local Nonprofits

Portland, September 15th. The nonprofit called YouthBuilders is one of the Timbers’ Pillar Partners. Representatives from the program presented the team flag before the match against the Seattle Sounders, which ended in a 1-1 draw. (A 78th-minute goal by Timbers defender Rodney Wallace evened the score in the volatile match.)

Founded in 1995, Portland YouthBuilders is a non-profit organization committed to providing long term support for low income youth. Each year, it provides education, vocational training, and leadership development services for over 200 young people between the ages of 17 and 24 who have not completed high school and who face significant barriers to success.

Portland YouthBuilders stretched out the circular flag. The nonprofit provides long term support for low income youth. Each year, it provides education and vocational training for over 200 young people between the ages of 17 and 24 who have not completed high school and who face barriers to success.

YouthBuilders is one of many nonprofits to present the flag and receive free tickets through the Tix for Kids program, others included ROSE CDC, I have a Dream Foundation, Playworks and Latino Network. The ticket giveaway is sponsored by  KPTV, JELD-WEN, Providence, NW Natural, Alaska Airlines, PGE, and Burgerville. In addition, at each game the Timbers hold silent auctions with unique team memorabilia to raise money for community work.

Spanning multiple generations, the Timbers have been a proud part of the Portland sports landscape and are supported by fans second-to-none.

The Timbers hold soccer camps and coaching clinics for local kids.

The Timber's Arm was out in force during the match.

The Timbers Army was out in force during the match against Seattle.

Portland next travels to face San Jose on Wednesday, while Seattle shifts gears to a CONCACAF Champions League match the same day against Marathon in Honduras.

Next, Portland travels to face San Jose on September 19th, while Seattle shifts gears to a CONCACAF Champions League match the same day against Marathon in Honduras.

The Portland Timbers have adopted the following nonprofit pillar partners for the 2011-2013 seasons:

Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest
The Portland Timbers will partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest on the Sports Buddies program, which is a one-to-one mentoring program for at-risk youth with an emphasis on sports.

Learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest.

Friends of Trees
The Portland Timbers, JELD-WEN and Friends of Trees will partner for the next few seasons. Every time the Timbers score a goal, the club and JELD-WEN will plant a tree in the Portland community through the Score a Goal, Plant a Tree partnership with Friends of Trees.

Learn more about Friends of Trees.

Portland YouthBuilders
The Portland Timbers will partner with Portland YouthBuilders on a community service project in conjunction with MLS W.O.R.K.S. Community Service Program. The Timbers will work in a collaborative effort to combine sport and service and improve lives and communities in the Portland area.

Learn more about Portland YouthBuilders.

Learn more about MLS W.O.R.K.S. Community Service Program.

Other nonprofit connections include Schoolhouse Supplies. In what has become an eight year tradition with Schoolhouse Supplies, the Portland Timbers and The UPS Store welcomed every Jason Lee student to the 2012-13 school year with a new backpack filled with new school supplies for the year.

Would you like to volunteer alongside one of The Portland Timbers? Starting Monday, October 8th, Team members and their sponsors will have a Stand Together Week as a call to action to get involved in our community.

Hands on Greater Portland has a listing of options: Browse the 40+ projects below and sign up for the opportunity to volunteer alongside a Portland Timbers player, ambassador, or Timber Joey! Stand Together Week participants will also get an official Stand Together scarf and adidas drawstring bag as a thank you for stepping up to support volunteerism.

All projects require a $30 registration fee per volunteer, which serves as a donation to Hands On Greater Portland to help cover the cost of organizing this week of service.

Click below to learn more about a specific project and sign up:

*some programs may fill up.

Monday, October 8th
10:00am-1:00pm: Lead Recess with Playworks (age 18+)
1:00pm-4:00pm: Prep Bikes for Kids at the Community Cycling Center (age 13+) FULL
4:00pm-6:00pm: Spruce Up the Garden at Ockley Green School (age 12+)
6:00pm-8:00pm: Salvage Building Materials at the ReBuilding Center (age 14+)

Tuesday, October 9th
8:15am-12:00pm: Build Homes, Change Lives (age 14+) FULL
9:30am-12:00pm: Get Books to Kids at the Children’s Book Bank (age 6+) FULL
10:00am-1:00pm: Lead Recess with Playworks (age 18+)
12:00pm-3:00pm: Organize, Sort & File with Open Meadow Students (age 16+)
12:30pm-4:00pm: Build Homes, Change Lives (age 14+) FULL

Wednesday, October 10th
11:00am-1:00pm: Spruce Up 53rd Avenue Park (age 6+)
1:00pm-5:00pm: Lend a Hand at Native American Youth & Family Center (age 9+)
4:00pm-6:00pm: Get Creative at SCRAP Reuse Center! (age 16+)

Thursday, October 11th
9:00am-12:00pm: Assemble Kits to Save Lives at the Red Cross (age 12+)
9:30am-12:00pm: Get Books to Kids at the Children’s Book Bank (age 6+)
9:30am-12:00pm: Sort School Supplies for Kids (age 12+) FULL
2:00pm-4:00pm: Sort Clothes & Food for Local Families (age 16+) FULL
2:30pm-4:30pm: Support Youth through Soccer & Poetry (age 18+) FULL

Friday, October 12th
8:15am-12:00pm: Build Homes, Change Lives (age 14+) FULL
9:30am-12:00pm: Get Out and Garden with Portland Community Gardens (age 10+)
12:30pm-4:00pm: Build Homes, Change Lives (age 14+) FULL
12:30pm-4:30pm: Lead Science Activities at OMSI (age 14+)
1:30pm-3:30pm: Stock the Pantry at the Oregon Food Bank (age 6+)

Saturday, October 13th
8:45am-1:00pm: Plant Neighborhood Trees with Friends of Trees (age 6+) FULL
9:00am-12:00pm: Join in Mulch Mania along the Springwater Trail (age 6+)
9:00am-12:00pm: Restore Local Nature Parks (age 10+)
9:00am-12:00pm: Join the No Ivy League at Marshall Park (age 6+)
10:00am-12:30pm: Get Your Hands Dirty at Zenger Farm (age 8+)
10:00am-1:00pm: Spruce Up Hartley Elementary School (age 16+)
10:00am-2:00pm: Grow & Stock Food at Beaverton’s Giving Gardens (age 10+)
1:00pm-4:00pm: Get Ready for Winter at the Supa Fresh Youth Farm (age 5+)

Sunday, October 14th
9:00am-12:00pm: Help Prep for the Hillsboro Library Book Sale (age 14+)
1:00pm-4:00pm: Restore Local Nature Parks (age 10+)
1:00pm-4:00pm: Ivy Pulling Party at Tryon Creek Park (age 6+)
1:00pm-5:00pm: Paint It Up at Harrison Park School (age 14+)