Lines for Life Benefit Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Judy Cushing, CEO Lines for Life; Mayor Charlie Hales, Nancy Hales, Sharon Smith and Senator Gordon Smith

Portland, March 14, 2013. Night at the Museum was the theme for Lines for Life’s (formerly Oregon Partnership) annual Gala Dinner & Auction. Judy Cushing, CEO Lines for Life; Mayor Charlie Hales, Nancy Hales, Sharon Smith and Senator Gordon Smith attended the 20^th Anniversary Gala at the Portland Art Museum. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus) Organizers say the evening was a tremendous success, raising more than $285,000 for lifesaving programs.

Each year Lines for Life (formerly Oregon Partnership) continues to advance its mission of preventing substance and suicide. Through a 24-hour crisis services and prevention education programs it has seen many lives changed for the better. The anonymous Military Helpline is unique in the country and YouthLine offers confidential teen-to-teen counseling on bullying, substance abuse, self harm and suicide.

Event co-chair Anne Naito-Campbell and Nancy Hales

Ballroom at PAM filled with generous Lines for Life supporters.

Gala Emcee Kerry Tymchuk with auctioneer Johnna Wells

(Heroes for Hope Tom Cook of Taco Bell and Mark Ganz of Cambia with (center) Lines for Life Board Chair Dan McMillan of The Standard.

Our youngest supporter Ellen McMillan joins in the fun

Senator Gordon Smith raises his paddle high for Lines for Life

From Lines for Life:

We are dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide because they touch so many families in our society.

Lines for Life (formerly Oregon Partnership) is a non-profit dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide. We have served thousands of people with addiction, mental health and suicide intervention services, treatment referral and drug prevention education.

Lines for Life Crisis Lines receive approximately 35,000 calls per year. We are able to de-escalate 98 percent of the 17,000 suicide calls we receive. The Military Helpline offers free, anonymous assistance 24/7/365 to active duty service members, veterans and their families.

Our YouthLine offers a confidential teen-to-teen phone line and texting to help youth deal with bullying, depression, substance abuse or other issues that can make those years especially painful.

The Lines for Life staff works closely with schools, parents, treatment professionals, law enforcement and the military. We train and support community anti-drug coalitions. We lead public awareness campaigns on underage drinking, youth access to alcohol and reducing illegal drug use.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.