Portland, OR. A message from editor, Elisa Klein. First, thank you for caring about our local nonprofits! At Portland Society Page, our coverage is often of exciting events held to raise money for worthy causes. We also spotlight inspiring volunteers who are the lifeblood of many local charities. Necessary Covid-19 restrictions meant that most volunteers had to stay away from the charities they love. Supporters who usually flock to galas were social distancing in 2020 and lamenting the fact that large gatherings had to be prohibited. All the while, nonprofit professionals put forth Herculean efforts to keep their organizations afloat, many from their home offices. Some sectors, like human services, have seen a surge of donations, while arts organizations have struggled mightily without the benefit of ticket sales.
Yet through these exceptional times, the generosity of our community remains constant. Nonprofits promoting social justice have seen renewed interest. Donations have brought hope to thousands of our friends and neighbors. The thankful include the elderly living alone receiving hot meals, children with learning differences finding support through zoom, brilliant performance artists feeding their families with grant money, and bone-tired frontline workers using donated personal protective equipment.
2020 zoom photo, Elisa Klein
Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope.” Your interest in the nonprofit community offers hope. Together, let’s look forward to a better and brighter 2021!
Thank you, Elisa Klein
Now, we’ll share the stories you read most this year in reverse order.
So there you have it, the most-read stories of 2020 on Portland Society Page! We look forward to providing our coverage of local nonprofit news in 2021. Upward on onward!
Portland, OR. City Lights was the theme for the Riverdale School District Auction at the Leftbank Annex. Benefit Chair, Kristen Best and committee member, Allison Williams, helped coordinated the volunteers, donors, student artists, sponsors, attendees, and entertainersat February 24th event. The auction raised funds for Riverdale PTC programs including $50,000 during a paddle raise for District-wide technology and emergency preparedness/safety initiatives.
Riverdale supporters give a big pat on the back to Auctioneer Matthew DiLoreto.
Riverdale teachers enjoying a night out.
220 attendees were enjoying food by Chefstable Catering, wine and beer were donated by A to Z Wineworks, 10 Barrel Brewing and Taft & Mina Stricklin.
Student artwork was popular at the event.
Silent auction items, including student artwork and “Chance Balloons” generated about $22,000 in auction revenue.
Auction team members credited with making the evening run smoothly included:
DJ Max Barenberg of Blackboard Music
Auctioneer Matthew DiLoreto
Photographer Brian Crippe
Catering by Chefstable
Flowers by Gavin Younnie, Outdoor Scenery Design
From the Riverdale School District:
The Riverdale School District is an independent public school district. It was founded in 1888 and has always enjoyed widespread community interest, involvement and support. Today, Riverdale Grade School (PreK-8) and Riverdale High School (9-12) serve more than 600 families living in a residential, wooded area called Dunthorpe, located seven miles south of downtown Portland, Oregon, and adjacent to the city of Lake Oswego. View our district boundaries.
Riverdale School District is committed to providing an exceptional college-preparatory education for all students that is personalized, learner-centered and academically rigorous. Our simple but powerful goal is to produce students who know how to use their minds well. The curriculum in each grade level marries core academic disciplines with art, music and experiential learning. Students are required to demonstrate their deep understanding of fundamental subject matter through classroom work, including individual and group projects.
Plus, learning at Riverdale isn’t confined to the classroom. Students are encouraged to spread their wings and expand their minds through field studies. Starting with day trips in lower grades, overnight trips beginning in 4th grade, and week-long field studies in middle school and high school, these excursions provide the opportunity to use classroom knowledge in real-world, experiential settings.
Portland, February 20th, 2016. The photo booth was entertaining for Riverdale School parents Michele Rosenbaum, Amber Hillman, Star Sanaee, and Jillian Cain. Teachers, staff and friends were treated to a Night in Havana at theEvergreenevent space at SE 6th and Alder. The Riverdale Parent Teacher Clubs benefit drew 160 people and organizers transformed the space into the streets of Havana. Street lamps, palm trees, old farm tables, wooden benches, cigar boxes, a “Cuban eats” menu and a choice of Cuban cocktails by ChefStable made the night memorable. DJ Max of Blackboard Music and the 12-piece salsa orchestra Melao de Cuba put everyone in the mood for the event billed as a “fundraising fiesta.” (PhotoBooth by instaPixnw.com )
View of A Night in Havana from the balcony level at Evergreen event space donated by Kurt and Heather Melonis Huffman.
A Night in Havana Chairwoman Shelly Morris with husband Mert Rockney
Wendy and Tim Tolls with Kari Lynn and Bill Dischinger at Riverdale’s A Night in Havana
The $65,000+ raised is earmarked for PTC programs and the Principal’s wish lists items such as the following:
Riverdale Grade School Principal Joanna Tobin sought to build on technology infrastructure purchased with funds from prior PTC Paddle Raises by purchasing interactive classroom technology such as Mimeo boards.
Riverdale High School Principal Paula Robinson sought to add electric keyboards to the school’s Music Program and to expand and coordinate Career Exploration and Service Learning opportunities for students.
PTC Special Appeal was made for the Outdoor Classroom at Riverdale Grade School.
Student performers included RGS Tuba Players and RHS cast members from the upcoming Pajama Game.
From Riverdale:
Welcome to Riverdale School District. For more than a century, Riverdale has focused on providing a rigorous and rich academic experience. We are a unique, distinctive and successful educational organization that demonstrates how a focused vision can have a profound effect on the learning outcomes for students. Among the many strengths of the District, first and foremost are our students. This is clearly evident in the range and depth of school activities they are involved in on a daily basis. Dedicated faculty enhances the strength of our students and involved parents who shine a light on the vibrant educational community we call Riverdale.
Our students are actively engaged in the learning process from their first day in Preschool all the way to their senior exhibition. They learn how to think for themselves, and when they graduate, they go on to a wide variety of selective colleges. More importantly, students leave Riverdale equipped with the skills and confidence to become leaders in today’s global community. Our alumni consistently tell us that the skills they developed at Riverdale set them up for success in college and beyond.
Riverdale students are also active outside the academic classroom. We want our students to lead balanced lives and encourage them to participate in the arts, athletics, and to create a passion for personal interests, a habit of critical thinking, and a deep understanding of civic virtue. The breadth of our programs and the size of our school create many ways for Riverdale students to get involved, and these opportunities lead families to choose Riverdale.
As you explore our website, we hope you will discover what makes Riverdale such a special place. Riverdale offers a close-knit community. At Riverdale, students develop meaningful relationships with one another and with their teachers, and our parents are actively involved throughout the school. We all come together within a safe, supportive environment.
Our schools welcome students from the Riverdale neighborhood and from the surrounding communities who join us as tuition or transfer students. Riverdale offers the best aspects of independent schooling in a public school setting.
Portland, February 8th, 2013. It was Portland’s biggest February snow storm since 1993 and kids around the city took advantage of the opportunity to go slip-sliding around. Portlanders in the Dunthorpe neighborhood took the street on foot to admire the layer of white stuff, at least 6-inches in some areas. Here are a few photos from out and about:
Kids headed to Mary Failing Drive, a favorite spot for sledding.
Lewis and Clark College under a blanket of snow.
Riverdale Grade School was a gathering place for friends.
Fresh tracks were quickly covered by a new layer coming down.
Walking the dog on Breyman.
And the mailman upheld the cred, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their … Rain or shine, snow or sleet, we deliver your mail!”
Portland, September 29th. Taking a page from P Diddy’s playbook, parents and community members converged on the newly-build home of Sheila Hamilton and Colin Maclean to raise money for their students. (Photo credit, Brian Black) The Riverdale School District Parent Teacher Club helped organize the party and white attire was a must. Host families included: The Cains, Cohens, Fords, Hinsvark/Hillmans, Millers, and Moone/Scotts.
Riverdale’s first annual White Party 2012 benefited from the terrific fall weather.
Sheila Hamilton and Colin Maclean
Jillian Cain and Amber Hinsvark
Laura and Andy Ford
Stuart and Barbara Cohen with Allison and Martin Kehoe
Organizers are hoping to recreate the magic again next year.
The Riverdale School District serves over 600 families living in a residential, wooded area seven miles south of downtown Portland, Oregon and adjacent to the city of Lake Oswego. Both Riverdale Grade School and Riverdale High School are accepting applications for the 2012-2013 school year on a rolling basis.
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