The 20th Annual Yoshida’s Sand in the City Raises $120,000 for Kids

The 20th Annual Yoshida’s Sand in the City Raises $120,000 for Kids

Portland, July 17th, 2015. Twelve corporate teams competed in the sand sculpture competition and Team Nike/Camp Rosenbaum  came out on top with its “Active Kids, Active Minds” creation. Judges liked the detail and the height of the sand sculpture. Volunteers who build sculptures at Sand in the City say, “Since sand is monochromatic using texture is key. Light and shadow is all that you get to work with so you need to make the most of it.”

2nd Place went to Ultimate Ears. Builders use things like forks, brushes, spray-bottles and basic tools can create quick effective textures.

2nd Place went to team Logitech/Ultimate Ears. Builders use things like forks, brushes, spray-bottles and other basic tools can create quick effective textures. 

The annual event is a fundraiser that benefits children's charities in the community. The event is 100% volunteer-run allowing 100% of the profits to go directly to the charities. Team donations, sponsorships, and gate proceeds combine to raise about $120,000 each year for the children's charities.

The annual event in Pioneer Courthouse Square is a fundraiser benefiting children’s local charities. Team donations, sponsorships, and gate proceeds combine to raise about $120,000 each year for kids.

This year, the Sand in the City board designated four charities who will receive funds: Community Transition School, Communities for Safe Kids, Open Meadow School and White Shield Center. The total number of children who have benefitted from funds from this event to date is over one million children.

Yoshida’s Sand in the City began in 1996 with 13 corporate teams working together to raise money in support of The Kids on the Block Awareness Program, a non-profit children’s program using puppets to help educate children to be more accepting of others with disabilities and differences.

From the beginning Junki Yoshida and Yoshida Group have been the presenting sponsor of the event.

From the beginning Junki Yoshida and Yoshida Group have been the presenting sponsor of the event. Yoshida was interviewed by several local television stations.

SRG Partnership, Inc. Yesterday · Edited ·    Great teamwork between our own employees and helpers from both KPFF Civil Engineering and PLACE Studio!

SRG Partnership, Inc. attributed their 3rd place finish to great teamwork between employees and helpers from both KPFF Civil Engineering and PLACE Studio.

Here's a look at the finished product.

Here’s a look at the finished product.

Congratulations were given to the Portland Fire Bureau and  Fire\Coffman on its Rookie team win.

Congratulations were given to the Portland Fire Bureau and\Coffman on its Rookie team win.

Each year, corporate teams are matched with the design expertise of local architectural firms. Each team receives training and support as they prepare for the July sand castle competition. Hoffman Construction Company has participated as a major sponsor from the beginning, coordinating the arrival and removal of more than 150 tons of sand. Compaction is the ‘glue’ that makes the magic possible. Sculpting tools – Many kitchen, masonry and garden tools will work for this. Volunteers use spoons, spatulas, melon ballers, pallet knives, clay loops, you name it. Some sculptors shun tools altogether preferring to use only their hands.

The event runs through Sunday, with a suggested entry donation of $4 per person/$10 for family. 

Here’s more information about the participants and the recipients of the donations:

Sand_in_the_City_Community_Transitional_School

Community Transitional School

Dedicated to the educational needs of children whose families are homeless or in transition.

Learn more about Community Transition School

Sand_in_the_City_Impact_NW

Communities for Safe Kids

An innovative, educational program that draws from the latest research on violence prevention to leverage the power of individuals, families and communities to value and advance the well-being and safety of children.

Learn more about Communities for Safe Kids

Sand_in_the_City_Open_Meadow_Schools

Open Meadow School

Open Meadow’s mission is to develop connection, capability, and confidence in disconnected youth through relationship-based, quality learning experiences that result in academic, personal, and community success.

Learn more about Open Meadow School

PPRC-large-logo

White Shield Center

Empowering adolescent girls to lead healthy and productive lives within their families and communities.

Learn more about the White Shield Center

alpha-broadcasting

Alpha Broadcasting

Click the following link to read full 2015 team bio.

Sand_in_the_City_Coffman_Excavation

Portland Fire & Rescue / Coffman Excavation

Click the following link to read full 2015 team bio.

teram-hanna-anderson

Hanna Andersson

Click the following link to read full 2015 team bio.

hoffman-construction-logo

Hoffman Construction

Click the following link to read full 2015 team bio.

 Sand in the City Koin 6 Media General_logo

KOIN 6 / Media General

Click the following link to read full 2015 team bio.

 Sand_in_the_city_Kuni_BMW

Kuni BMW

Click the following link to read full 2015 team bio.

team-lexus-portland

Kuni Lexus of Portland

Click the following link to read full 2015 team bio.

ultimate-ears-logo

Logitech / Ultimate Ears

Click the following link to read full 2015 team bio.

 nike-swoosh

NIKE

Click the following link to read full 2015 team bio.

 omsi-logo

OMSI / Vernier Software

Click the following link to read full 2015 team bio.

SRG Logo_sm

SRG / KPFF / PLACE

Click the following link to read full 2015 team bio.

Team-Turner

Turner Construction /
Ankrom Moisan

Click the following link to read full 2015 team bio.

Yoshida_group_logo

Yoshida

Click the following link to read full 2015 team bio.

Winners Crowned at Impact NW’s 17th Annual Sand in the City

Winners Crowned at Impact NW’s 17th Annual Sand in the City

Portland, July 20th. Hoffman Construction & Woofter Architecture won the coveted Golden Shovel first prize at Sand in the City 2012. This summer it took just six hours for eleven teams to transform over 450 tons of sand and 4,500 gallons of water into magnificent sand sculptures right in the heart of the Rose City. The event drew over 50,000 thousand people to Pioneer Square and raised almost $150,000 for Impact NW. Sand judges Junki Yoshida, Timber Joey, Amy Roloff, Ken Carr, and KOIN Local 6’s Jenny Hansson were also impressed with the efforts of Pacific Power & LRS Architects. The team racked up three awards: the Silver Rake, People’s Choice and Competitor’s Choice. Turner & Ankrom Moisen Associated Architects took home the Bronze Bucket.

Yoshida's Sand in the City is Impact NW's biggest fundraising event of the year. It benefits the Kids on the Block Awareness program as well as the Youth & Family programs.

Yoshida’s Sand in the City is Impact NW’s biggest fundraising event of the year. It benefits the Kids on the Block Awareness program as well as the Youth & Family programs.

This is the sand sculpture crowned the winner build by Hoffman Construction & Woofter Architecture with the coveted Golden Shovel.

This is the sand sculpture crowned the winner was build by Hoffman Construction & Woofter Architecture.

 

In addition to the visually stunning sand sculptures, the children’s activities at the Children’s Inspiration Village sponsored by Evergreen Aviation were a huge hit, especially the loveable kisses from Rojo the Llama!

In addition to the visually stunning sand sculptures, the children’s activities at the Children’s Inspiration Village sponsored by Evergreen Aviation were huge hits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snoopy was a favorite

Snoopy was a favorite

In it’s 17th year, this annual event sponsored by Yoshida raised awareness about the importance of early childhood education and promotes the Impact NW Kids on the Block educational program. The video below explains the pioneering puppet show.

From Impact NW

Impact NW was founded in 1966. We implement innovative programs that respond to our community’s specific needs, connecting clients with tools and resources that empower them to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty and transition into financial independence. We helped develop Southeast Portland’s first Senior Center, Youth Service Center, and free health clinic. In the 1990s, we piloted Multnomah County’s first Parent Child Development Services program and the Schools Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) program. Over the past three years, Impact NW has helped stabilize and improve Portland’s social services sector by merging with established nonprofits—Senior GAP, Urban Opportunities and the Kids on the Block Awareness Program—to increase the agency’s service area, expertise and direct client benefit.

Impact NW has grown to serve over 60,000 residents in Multnomah, Clark, Washington and Clacakmas Counties and parts of Washington State, including children, families, seniors, and adults with disabilities. Community partnerships and innovation are essential to achieving our mission. Impact NW works closely with area schools, businesses, community-based organizations, and governmental agencies to create a safety net and springboard for our region’s low-income residents.

Save the date for next year’s Sand in the City – July 19-21, 2013.  For information on how you can participate in Sand in the City, contact Catherine Hayes via email at [email protected].