Portland, OR. The American Heart Association celebrated its 22nd annual Heart Ball on February 24th at The Sentinel Hotel in downtown Portland. The event supporting local and regional advocacy, research, education and prevention efforts raised more than $802,000 in the fight against heart disease and stroke. (Photo credit, PortlandEventPhotography.com)
The leadership team for the event included, Dan Holmes, General Manager, Siemens; Nima Darabi, Vice President, Hoffman Construction; Jordan Bader, President, Acme Construction Supply & Chairman, 2018 Heart Ball; Jordan Pape, CEO, The Pape Group; Bart Dickson, President, OEG, Chairman-elect, 2019 Heart Ball; Brant Hunsaker, Vice President, Wells Fargo; and Jade Thelin, Financial Services Professional, New York Life.
The evening was led by 2018 Heart Ball chairman Jordan Bader, President & CEO, Acme Construction with event emcee Nora Hart from FOX 12 Oregon. Kara Markovich, whose daughter Ulla was born with a congenital heart defect, shared her passionate and inspirational story showcasing the impact of funds raised to support families.
Mom Kara Markovich with daughter Ulla and husband Greg.
Next year, the 2019 Heart Ball will be led by chairman Bart Dickson, President, OEG and will be held on February 23, 2019. Details at PDXHeartBall.heart.org or contact [email protected].
From the American Heart Association:
The American Heart Association is working with citizens and leaders, collaborating with neighbors and supporters. We are unraveling complex health issues in our community with a powerful combination of groundbreaking research and community leadership. These critical changes improve Oregon & SW Washington for all – moving us closer to a community, and ultimately, a world free of heart disease and stroke.
What are we doing to improve Oregon & SW Washington? Click here to find out!
Portland, OR. It was high-fives all around as Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) raised $1.4 million at its 17th annual Wonderball gala on October 7th. Leaders Rosemary Colliver, founder Regina Ellis and Andy Lytle celebrated the donations which will fuel CCA’s mission of prescribing joy to seriously ill children and their families. Organizers welcomed nearly 850 supporters to the Oregon Convention Center for an “Age of Aquarius” themed night they say was inspired by the abundant love and optimism of the Woodstock era.
Singer-songwriter, Kyle Craft, sings Bob Dylan’s The Times They Are A-Changin’ and is joined onstage by CCA-served kids and teens.
Regina Ellis, CCA Founder & Chief Joy Officer, stops to thank raffle ticket sellers, Moxie and Aven.
Albert Menashe, CCA Board Member, Attorney & Shareholder at Gevurtz Menashe; Julie Menashe; Grant Feltz, Wieden+Kennedy; John Christianson, Estate Planning Attorney at Gevurtz Menashe
Andrea Corradini, CCA Board Member, Senior Director, Women’s NSW Footwear at Nike; Regina Ellis, CCA Founder & Chief Joy Officer
Party guests included Sandy Bodecker, VP Special Projects, Nike Inc.; Tanya Cerda; Cholee Thompson, Ryan Artists; David Brown, longtime CCA Chemo Pal; and their friends.
Andy Lytle, CCA Board Chair, Division VP – Western US at Jackson Family Wines; Jim Haven, Creative Director; Jessi Duley, CCA Board Member, Founder & Instructor at Burn Cycle; Mary Lytle
Keynote speakers, Andy and Ruth Soria Zuniga, share their family’s story with Wonderball guests.
Chris Funk, CCA Board Member and multi-instrumentalist with The Decemberists, starts the show with a guitar solo guests call, thrilling.
Party guests included Clare Hamill, CCA Founding Board Chair, Vice President, Nike Growth Initiatives at Nike; Heidi O’Neill, President, Direct to Consumer, Nike Inc.; Patrick O’Neill; Marcus Harvey, Owner, Portland Gear; Sarah Marshall, MyMusicRx ATX Champion; and their friends.
Paul Gulick, CCA Board Chair Emeritus, 2008-10, and his table guests
Lead Sponsor PDX Property Group filled the table with guests that included John Powers, CCA Ambassador Board Co-Chair, Broker of PDX Property Group at Keller Williams Realty and Chris Suarez, Principal Broker, CEO of PDX Property Group of Keller Williams.
Presenting Sponsor, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield’s table, which included Scott Burton, Director, Revenue Management & Portfolio Positioning, Cambia Solutions; Angela Dowling, President, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, and Chief Sales Officer; and their guests.
Jeff Nyburg, Regional Director at Carter’s | OshKosh B’gosh; CS Sheffield, CCA Ambassador Board Co-Chair, Senior Therapeutic Specialty Consultant, Pfizer Oncology; Jennifer Nyburg; Angela Sheffield.
CCA staff members welcome guests at registration amid tapestries and Wonderball branded prayer flags.
Macie House, CCA Board Member, Managing Director, Baird, Regina Ellis, CCA Founder & Chief Joy Officer; Suzann Baricevic Murphy, CCA Board Member, Owner/President at (W)here Inc.
Steve Blake, CCA Board Member and former NBA Player; Regina Ellis, CCA Founder & Chief Joy Officer; Kristen Blake, Health & Wellness Coach
Serene Perkins,(center) CCA Board Member, Director of Surgical and Clinical Research, Legacy Research Institute Legacy Health, Regina Ellis, CCA Founder & Chief Joy Officer
Served by CCA as a teen and now a pre-med student at PSU, Sarah Florig shared her emotional story with Wonderball guests.
Guests enjoyed silent and live auctions, a seated dinner, inspiring family speakers and live, Woodstock era music throughout the night. Portland jam band frontman Lewi Longmire’s LT Red and the Hazy Visions kicked off the live performances, which included a rendition of Jimi Hendrix’s “Star-Spangled Banner” performed by Chris Funk of The Decemberists. Other performers included Brandon Nicolai and New York-based cabaret singer Amber Martin.
Décor included Indian tapestries, marigold garlands, and buttons and prayer flags with the reimagined protest slogan “Cancer is not Healthy for Children and Other Living Things”. A Moroccan menu and Summer of Love themed drinks were served to complete the aesthetic. Late night revelers also enjoyed an after-party with DJ Anjali at Spirit of 77.
A record-breaking paddle raise was led by auctioneer Kelly Russell of Artisan Auctions following Regina Ellis’ keynote speech and PSU pre-med student, Sarah Florig’s, inspiring story. CCA-served family, Ruth and Andy Soria Zuniga, also shared the many ways CCA has supported their family during their 2-year-old daughter’s treatment.
“At CCA, we are JOY seekers. For the last 22 years, we have asked ourselves repeatedly: what can JOY do?” said Regina Ellis, Founder and Chief Joy Officer of Children’s Cancer Association in her address. “We are the only organization working to position JOY as best practice in pediatric hospitals across the nation by delivering innovative programs that transform a moment with music, friendship and nature. Because of the generosity in this room, last year we served 31 percent more children and teens, how, when and where they preferred, and delivered over 92,000 service interactions across the United States.”
This event was made possible by the presenting sponsor, Regence BlueCross Blue Shield of Oregon. Additional sponsors included PDX Property Group and Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel.
About Children’s Cancer Association (CCA)
The Children’s Cancer Association knows that for seriously ill children and their families every moment is precious. That’s why our programs leverage music, friendship, play, and resources to create transformative moments of joy for 20,000 children, teens, and their family members each year. We believe kids deserve long, wonderful lives. Or at the very least, short wonderful lives. Unlike many organizations dedicated to the worthy goal of someday finding a cure for cancer, CCA is all about creating joy today. See our programs in action at JoyRx.org.
Portland,OR. Over 350 community leaders came together to support the Portland Opera on September 16th. The Baroque Ball at the Portland Art Museum raised $1 million dollars. Tony and Emmy Award winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth made her Portland concert debut as part of the event. Chenoweth performed musical theatre numbers, jazz tunes and concluded the concert by singing with members of the Tualatin High School choir.
Members of the Baroque Ball Gala Committee: Celeste Rose, Vice President, Community Engagement, Harsch Investment Properties; Gwyneth Gamble Booth, Baroque Ball Co-Chair; Carole E. Morse, Baroque Ball Co-Chair; Sue Dixon, Director of External Affairs for Portland Opera; Kregg Arntson, Member, Portland Opera Board & Executive Director, PGE Foundation Portrait by Gia Goodrich | giagoodrich.com
Portland Opera’s Clare Burovac (Director, Artistic Operations) and Christopher Mattaliano (General Director) Portrait by Gia Goodrich | giagoodrich.com
Curtis T. Thompson, M.D. and Joe Mitchoff; (seated) Alex Chu, Governor Kate Brown, and First Gentleman Dan Little Portrait by Gia Goodrich | giagoodrich.com
Guests enjoyed a lounge curated and furnished by Anthropologie & Co.
BodyVox performs Madonna’s “Vogue”
The Mistress of Ceremonies for the Baroque Ball gala, Poison Waters
General Director Christopher Mattaliano sharing $1M announcement
Governor Kate Brown high-fives an opera supporter
“This was really a celebration of the community, and bringing the art of opera to the city and region that we love,” says Christopher Mattaliano, general director. “We are so inspired by the individuals, businesses, and organizations who elevate Portland Opera by sharing their support and advocacy—and this event set a new standard for our organization.”
Governor Kate Brown and First Gentlemen Dan Little were among the honored guests. Platinum entertainment sponsors included: Joanne M. Lilley; Arlene Schnitzer and Jordan Schnitzer, Directors of The Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation; Ellyn Bye and Dream Envision Foundation; and Dorothy Piacentini. Gwyneth Gamble Booth and Carole E. Morse served as co- chairs for the event, joined by committee members Celeste Rose, Kregg Arntson, and Charles Stanton. Gold Level Premiere Corporate Partners included: Artslandia, Broadway Across America, The Standard, and Bill Sweat and Donna Morris, Winderlea Vineyard & Winery.
Mistress of Ceremonies Poison Waters and Auctioneer Ian Lindsay enlivened the festivities throughout the evening and live auction. BodyVox performed a surprise dance piece, in period costume, of Madonna’s “Vogue.” The evening also featured a performance of “Torna a Surriento” by international tenor Ryan MacPherson, accompanied by pianist David Saffert.
Anthropologie & Co. designed an immersive lounge and portrait studio in the Marion L. Miller Gallery, featuring a hand-painted opulent backdrop and furnishings curated by the Portland design team. Award- winning photographer Gia Goodrich of VEV Studios directed and photographed the portrait sittings, creating portraits for each guest.
Due to the smoky conditions from area wildfires, the cocktail reception (originally intended to be held in the Sculpture Garden) was moved indoors to the Fred & Suzanne Field Ballroom. Nonetheless, guests enjoyed performances from the artists of Portland Opera a la Cart, the opera’s mobile music venue, to begin the evening. After the performances, guests moved upstairs to the Kridel Ballroom, for a three- course meal by Artemis Foods, inspired by historical records from the court of King Louis XIV of France. Dinner programming consisted of a golden ticket drawing, live auction, and paddle raise. Wines provided by Winderlea Vineyard and Winery were featured throughout the evening. Chenoweth performed from 9 – 10 PM; followed by the Rococo After Party, hosted by Portland Opera’s Ambassador Board.
A particularly poignant moment of the evening occurred when the announcement was made that, together, the event attendees and supporters had achieved the $1M fundraising mark. “A full standing ovation erupted,” says Kay Abramowitz, board president. “That moment was a testament to our Board of Directors, our amazing supporters, and the great work that this organization produces. We are so proud to be Portland’s Opera – and that moment made it so clear that Portland is also so proud of us.”
From Portland Opera:
Proceeds from the Baroque Ball gala support core Portland Opera programming including arts education, free public performances, main stage opera, and more. Portland Opera exists to inspire, challenge and uplift our audiences by creating productions of high artistic quality that celebrate the beauty and breadth of opera. To learn more about our mission and our work, please visit portlandopera.org.
Portland, September 27th, 2014. CCA’s 14th Annual Hero Gala was dubbed an evening of romp & circumstance,. The event rocked the Oregon Convention Center to the tune of $1.16 million with a star-studded crowd. More than 850 guests were entertained by the likes of The Decemberists, Patrick Lamb, Ural Thomas with Ragen Fykes and Moorea Masa, Luz Elana and Tiburones, March Fourth Marching Band, Wanderlust Circus, Sneakin’ Out, and Nu Shooz. Taylor and her Chemo Pal mentor, Alyssa Willamson, were shining bright with their beautiful face paintings.
Dr. Janice Olson, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Program, Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel, Regina Ellis, CCA Founder and CEO, and CCA Board Member, Andrea Corradini, Senior Merchandising Director, Emerging Markets Running, Nike, Inc., get into the spirit of the playful night.
Former Portland Trail Blazer, Terry Porter, Suzie Porter, CCA Board Chair, Andy Lytle, and Mary Lytle.
Nike’s Tinker Hatfield, Vice President, Design & Special Projects, and CCA Chemo Pal mentor and longtime supporter, David Brown, Merchandise Director, NIKE Inc.
The Wanderlust Circus entertained Gala goers throughout the entire Wonderball.
Portland Trail Blazer, Steve Blake, and his wife, Kristen, longtime supporters of CCA.
Artist Rochelle Carr with CCA Ambassador Board Member, Bryce Amato, posing in front of Rochelle’s wall of cheerful and thoughtful artwork.
Regina Ellis, CCA Founder and CEO, with Chris Funk, from The Decemberists and Black Prairie.
Paul Gulick, CCA Board Chair Emeritus, Co-Founder, In-Focus, Founder, Clarity Visual Systems, and Michelle Decourcy of Michelle Decourcy Collection.
Dynamic duo Valerie Day and John Smith, aka Nu Shooz, get Wonderball guests off their feet with a live performance of their Billboard Top 100 song that spent 15 weeks in the Top 40 in 1986 – “ I Can’t Wait.”
Chemo Pal mentor, George Mollas and his mentee, Nicholas, celebrating the occasion in style.
Members of The Decemberists, Patrick Lamb, Ural Thomas with Ragen Fykes and Moorea Masa, Luz Elana and Tiburones, March Fourth Marching Band, Wanderlust Circus, Sneakin’ Out, and Nu Shooz goofing off during rehearsal for the Wonderball.
CCA Founder’s Society member, Marsha Brockmeyer, celebrates with CCA VP Brand, Abby Guyer.
The sign says it all 14th Annual CCA Hero Gala: Wonderball!
Opus Events Agency CEO and CCA Board Member, Grant Hammersley, with CCA Board Member Tim Cooper, Senior Vice President, Brown & Brown Northwest.
The Decemberists front man, Colin Meloy, serenades Wonderball guests with the help of bandmates, Jenny Conlee and Chris Funk (not pictured), and the March 4th Marching Band.
Jennifer and Jeff Nyburg, Wonderball Presenting Sponsors Angela and CS Sheffield, and Wesley Sheffield.
Jordan Roquemore, Beaverton High School Marching Tech, leads members of the Beaverton Marching Ensemble, in a rousing rendition of “When the Saints Go Marching In” to transition revelers to the Portland Ballroom for the evening’s program.
CCA Board Member, Andrea Corradini, Senior Merchandising Director, Emerging Markets Running, Nike, Inc., and Cholee Thompson, Owner and President, Ryan Artists, share a ballerina/fairy bonding moment.
“We invited our best friends to “come out and play with CCA” and that they did. We are blown away by their generosity and so grateful they stand united with us in the belief that JOY MATTERS for seriously ill kids, teens, and their families.” said Regina Ellis, Founder and CEO of CCA.
Oregon City, August 8th, 2014. The Portland Rose Festival Foundation Golf Tournament presented by Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon teed-off at Stone Creek Golf Club. The event raised money for the Rose Festival Foundation and the Returning Veterans Project. At the end of the day after all the hole awards and prizes were handed out, the tournament made a donation of $11,000 to the Returning Veterans Project.
Jerry Scott, President & CEO of Elmer’s Restaurants John Cordova, Director of Operations, Elmer’s Restaurants Terry Hopkins, Vice President, Southern Oregon Elmer’s, LLC Dave Thomason, Owner, Southern Oregon Elmer’s, LLC
Mack Lai, Senior Vice-President, Banner bank showing off his tee shot
Mission Statement
The Portland Rose Festival Foundation is a non-profit that serves families and individuals with programs and events that promote the arts, education and volunteerism. We value environmental responsibility, diversity, patriotism and our historic & floral heritage. The Portland Rose Festival Foundation (PRFF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that oversees the planning and execution of the programs and events of the festival.
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