At-Risk Youth Shoot Hoops With the Portland Trail Blazers

Portland, December 10th, 2014. Thirty kids with Friends of the Children were treated to a memorable experience at the Moda Center. Windermere Stellar donated a Portland Trail Blazers clinic that featured two hours of private basketball instruction, highlighting Jerome Kersey and mascot Blaze, to Friends of the Children. Youth with Friends of the Children pose with Portland Trailblazers employees, Blaze and Windermere Stellar executives during the private clinic.

Portland Trailblazers legend, Jerome Kersey, talks shop with kids from Friends of the Children during a private basketball clinic donated by Windermere Stellar.

Here are a few snapshots of the fun.

“The kids will never forget their special night at the Moda Center. Thanks to Windermere Stellar for making it happen,” said Rachael Langtry, Friends of the Children Program Director. “It was heartwarming to see the kids’ faces light up at the sight of Blaze and they were clearly star struck when Jerome Kersey came out.”

This is not the first time that Friends of the Children (a revolutionary mentoring program that pairs vulnerable children with paid, professional mentors) and Windermere Stellar (a leading residential real estate company in the area) have partnered to help local youth. This past October, Windermere Stellar announced its commitment to raise $250,000 to fund the kitchen in Friends of the Children’s new facility in Gresham, slated to break ground next month.

About Friends of the Children:

Friends of the Children is a revolutionary mentoring program that is transforming the lives of our most vulnerable children. Founded by Portland native Duncan Campbell, Friends of the Children makes a 12.5 year commitment to each child, selecting them in kindergarten, matching them with paid, professional mentors (called Friends) and guiding them through high school graduation. For more information, visit friendspdx.org.

About Windermere Stellar:

Locally owned and managed for 40 years, Windermere Stellar has offices in Portland, Vancouver, Lake Oswego, West Linn and the north Oregon coast. The company’s full-time real estate experts have the local knowledge, collaborative network and dedication to successfully guide buyers and sellers through complex real estate transactions. Brokers donate a portion of their commission from every transaction to the Windermere Foundation, which supports low-income children and families. To date, more than $2 million has been donated to 100 local organizations. Localized real estate information can be found at: windermereportland.com (Portland metro), windermereoregoncoast.com (north Oregon coast) and windermerevancouver.com (Vancouver).

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.