Camp Fire Columbia’s 5th Annual Celebrity & Youth Talent Show Raises Over $90,000

Auctioneer Ian Lindsay and Camp Fire CEO Emily Gilliland on stage at the 2015 Talent Show.

Portland, April 9^th, 2015. More than 240 guests attended Camp Fire Columbia’s 5^th Annual Celebrity & Youth Talent Show and raised over $90,000 in support of inspiring youth to achieve their aspirations, graduate on time, and love the outdoors. The event, sponsored by Comcast and Fred Meyer, was hosted by returning MC Dale Johannes and auctioneer Ian Lindsay.

Youth acts included a dance to “Footloose” by students from Gilbert Heights Elementary, an outstanding performance by Menlo Park’s marimba band, “Ubuntu,” and an original spoken word performance by a Cesar Chavez Middle School student.

Supporters of Camp Fire and other local celebrities also supported the event: Camp Fire staff Ramiyah Baker-Blunt and Kate Westfall, Camp Namanu alum Maggie Cech, and KOIN news anchor Jenny Hansson engaged in a Jimmy Fallon-style lip sync contest, with guests donating to vote for their favorite performer.

Special guests at the event included Sarahi Mejia, an alumna of Camp Fire’s high school program, who spoke about Camp Fire’s impact on her life and career, and Alana Eckert, who was given Camp Fire’s Volunteer Award for outstanding dedication to Camp Fire and Camp Namanu over several decades.

Other generous sponsors of the event included The Standard, Think AV, NW Natural, Matisse Funds, Mattecheck & Associates, Wieden + Kennedy, Stoel Rives LLP, and the Boeing Company. The event was produced in partnership with Swaim Strategies.

Supporters of Camp Fire raise their paddles to bid on exciting Camp Namanu rental packages.

Camp Fire alum Sarahi Mejia: “Every gift you make tonight will help more kids like me find their spark.”

KOIN news anchor Jenny Hansson, winner of the lip sync battle, performed “What Does the Fox Say?” in her first round.

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.