Reach for the Stars was the message at the 40th annual Foundation auction and dinner. Mt. Hood Community College Foundation Vice-President, Nancy Jaksich is pictured with Becky Calvert, Mike Calvert and Jerry Jaksich. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus) The event raised more than $170,000.
The overhead lights dimmed as MHCC choir members silently filed into the room. The soloist, Kaitlyn Cooley, began to sing “The Power of the Dream,” accompanied by Hailey Rowden.
The theme was Power of the Dream – Inspiring students to reach for the stars.
Another highlight on May 19th at the Portland Waterfront Marriott was the premier screening of a video created by Gradient Productions, a multimedia company comprised mostly of former students from the MHCC’s Integrated Media program. The video captures the triumphs of MHCC students and inspires hope for future ones. Shot entirely on the Gresham campus, the video includes former students, alumni and an original song. Recorded in the MHCC studio and aptly named “The Power of the Dream,” the song features instrumentals and vocals contributed by students, accompanied by the powerful vocals of the duo Harmony & the Him. The song is now available on iTunes with all proceeds going to the MHCC Foundation.
Staff of Gradient Productions
2012 auction co-chairs Kathy Toynbee and Pat Fiedler
At Mt. Hood Community College you’ll find highly skilled faculty members providing you the best in educational opportunities. Offering over 60 professional and technical programs, as well as a variety of university transfer possibilities, MHCC prepares you for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Take the time to browse our Web site and see how MHCC can change your life.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Thanks to the many sponsors, donors, volunteers and guests, this year’s event was one of the best yet! Auction items included fabulous trips, amazing gift baskets, handcrafted items, jewelry, wine and many one-of-a-kind experiences such as piloting a Boeing flight simulator and an African photo safari.
We are grateful to the event co-chairs, Pat Fiedler and Kathy Toynbee, and to the entire committee and Board who worked tirelessly on behalf of MHCC students.
Thank you, also, to our generous sponsors: (presenting) Troutdale Energy Center, LLC., (platinum) Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, Mark Kralj, Principal; Suburban Auto Group, (major) Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center, Execu-Gifts, Outlook, Riverview Community Bank, VanportGroup, (silver) CenterCal Properties, LLC; Edward Jones, Robin McGregor, Financial Advisor; Enterprise Holdings Foundation, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Kaiser Permanente, Microchip Technology, Inc., Pepsi and Portland General Electric.
Portland, June 30th. In an effort for the Sunflower Children’s Foundation to expand its Northwest presence, a Portland Fashion Auction Compassion Event (FACE) was held at the Wieden + Kennedy Building on 13th street in Portland. John Curley, Lindsay Van Bramer, Terry Porter, Mary Lytle and Timber’s owner Merritt Paulson smile for a photo to celebrate the success of the event. The night began with a silent auction, a photo booth, various food and drink stands, and wine tasting supplied by Majestic Fine Wines. Following this, the crowd was excited and ready to watch the main event of the night: a fashion show featuring Summer 2012 styles.
Annette Troutman, Boris Jenkins, Nina McLaughlin and Angela Gardner enjoy the view from the second floor.
Renee Taylor and Rachel Dean smile together after exploring the venue.
Elyse King-Guffey, Mira Petrillo and Lily Everett volunteer at the front door to help greet the guests.
Option Model Media supplied all the models, while Orange Studio did hair. Kevin Lennox was the fashion show coordinator. Later on in the night, dessert was served and a live auction was held where golf with Terry Porter was featured as one of the live auction items!
The ladies who coordinated for this event, Lindsay Van Bramer and Mary Lytle, smile together to celebrate the success of the event!
FACE is a non-governmental organization that is run completely by volunteers and put on by the Sunflower Children’s Foundation. Their goal is to reduce hunger worldwide. FACE held four successful events in Seattle before deciding to add an event in Portland. The Sunflower Children’s Foundation was founded by model Helena Houdova.
Amy Homan and Robyn Woodman laugh after a fun time in the photo booth!
Guests enjoy the silent auction on the first floor at the start of the night!
Kelley Dulcich, Annie Petrillo and Valerie O’Brien enjoy the silent auction items.
Gabrielle Karras and Mary Welch enjoy the event on the wood bleachers and love the cause.
In conjunction with the event coordinators, Lindsay Van Bramer and Mary Lytle, Ace Hotel, SightWorks, Mike Zupans, Merritt Paulson and many other generous organizations and people. The event raised just over $35,000 which pleased organizers!
The FACE has two main beneficiaries, The Island of Hope Orphanage and Education Center in India and the Thembelihle Home in South Africa. The Island of Hope Orphanage and Education Center provides support for the abandoned and displaced children of the 2004 Tsunami. The Thembelihle Home is a safe haven for children between the ages of six and sixteen who have left their homes because of their own abandonment or because of abuse. FACE contributes homes and meals, education and supplies, and vaccinations and health care to The Island of Hope Orphanage and Education Center, and they contribute health-care, clothing, education and supplies to The Thembelihle Home. In addition to these beneficiaries, this particular FACE event held special focus on The Oregon Food Bank. Non-perishable goods were collected at the check-in station in exchange for a free drink ticket!
For more information, visit the FACE or The Sunflower Children’s Foundation homepage:
Year-End update: “Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success.” The unknown author of this quote must know something about an organization driven by an important mission. Thanks to the horse sense, persistence and the flaming enthusiasm of athletes, volunteers, donors, staff, and Board of Directors, Special Olympics Oregon had an exciting year of success!
Special Olympics Oregon Summer State Games 2011
Special Olympics Oregon 2011
From Special Olympics Oregon:
Our number of individuals with intellectual disability served increased statewide by 17%.
Our grand Summer State Games returned after a two-year economy-triggered suspension.
Our 30 volunteer-driven Local Programs serving our participants year-round in every county stayed strong.
Our major fundraising events – The Governors’ Gold Awards, The Bite of Oregon, Polar Plunge – exceeded expected revenue.
Our quota of volunteer Special Olympics Oregon coaches increased from 35 newly-trained in 2010 to 227 in 2011.
Our number of great friends increased – more companies, individuals and organizations caught the vision of Special Olympics Oregon’s momentous impact on the lives of thousands with intellectual disabilities, their families and their communities. Over and over again, we heard those magnificent words: I want to help.
Special Olympics Oregon Polar Plunge 2011
Special Olympics Oregon Governors' Gold Awards 2011
More from Special Olympics Oregon:
To all of you, we say with full hearts, “Thank you.” You have helped in ways you may not even imagine. You have changed lives, changed hearts, changed the world. We are most grateful. Hear first hand from athletes and coaches what Special Olympics Oregon has meant to them this year:
What does Special Olympics Oregon mean to you?
Special Olympics Oregon (SOOR) has given my son a chance to be included and accepted just the way he is. They have provided priceless and endless resources for us as parents. Most importantly SOOR has filled our hearts with joy. My son has a chance to actually be on a team, playing a sport that he loves right at his own school! I am thankful for a way to fulfill his dreams and wishes! Thank you SOOR, without you it would not be possible! (Kristy Minor,Special Olympics Oregon Parent)
How did you get your start in Special Olympics Oregon?
I started participating in Special Olympics Oregon back in the 1992 softball season. It was one of the best moves that I ever made for myself. It has been 17 seasons that I have been a Special Olympics Oregon Athlete and I can tell you from personal experience that I have enjoyed each and every game that I have played over the years. I never think of just myself. It is very important to me that I get my teammates involved with the games that we all play as a team. We all win and lose as one team and NOT individual players. Playing games in all sports for Special Olympics Oregon is a lot of fun. I just never want it to end. (Nathan LaMarche,Special Olympics Oregon Athlete)
What has Special Olympics Oregon done for you this year?
Special Olympics is one of those rare and amazing opportunities to be a part of something bigger than myself. As a coach I get to look into each athlete and see endless possibilities that they may not even know they have. I can set goals and see the athletes far surpass them. As a parent of an athlete, I get to see my daughter make friends that are unconditionally loving and accepting. We all get to treat each other as precious, valuable, gifted and strong! There is always encouragement and recognition available to everyone. I have seen over the last 21 years so many lives changed for the better, and relationships built that last a lifetime. With every challenge is a miracle getting ready to happen! (Cindy Miguel,Special Olympics Oregon Coach)
Help us reach one more athlete this holiday season by contributing a tax-deductable gift to Special Olympics Oregon. Volunteer this year with Special Olympics Oregon and help us continue to serve the largest disability population in the state.
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