Portland, October 10th, 2015. The Oregon Convention Center was a sea of elegant red dresses and red ties at the annual Hearts & Hands Gala to support Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) of Oregon and Southwest Washington. At the benefit, Jen Clason was joined on stage by her 8-year-old son Sam, they talk with RMHC CEO Jessica Jarratt Miller about their experience of staying at Ronald McDonald Houses more than 20 times. With 475 attendees, the event raised a record-breaking $521,000 gross, making it the most successful fundraising event in RMHC’s history.
RMHC honored Marquis Companies as the 2015 Partner of Distinction for their years of service and support to Portland’s two Ronald McDonald Houses. Angie Fogg (left) is joined by RMHC CEO Jessica Jarratt Miller and Board Chair Grant Jones along with Marquis CEO Phil Fogg (right)
Hearts & Hands Gala Committee Member and board member Cindy Luckman (second from the right) is joined by husband Steve and Ted and Kathi Austin
RMHC Board Member Mona Westhaver (left) is joined by Ronald McDonald and Sarah & Carter Beyl
“We couldn’t be more thrilled with this year’s Hearts & Hands Gala and the tremendous impact it will have on our families with seriously ill children,” said Jessica Jarratt Miller, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington. “From the amazing support of our sponsors to the outpouring of generosity from attendees, the evening’s success allows us to provide loving “home away from home” for the thousands of families who stay with us each year.”
The evening began with a red carpet greeting from Ronald McDonald, which was followed by a live and silent auction that raised more than $100,000 for families with seriously ill children. Jen Clason, mother of 8-year-old son Sam, spoke about her multiple stays at Portland’s Ronald McDonald Houses and the impact it had on her family while Sam was undergoing treatment for brain cancer. The event also honored and recognized RMHC’s 2015 Partner of Distinction – Marquis Companies – for their countless contributions to RMHC.
“It is hard to fully capture, in words or in dollars, the beautiful impact that Marquis Companies has had on the thousands of seriously ill children and families who come to stay and heal at our “home away from home,” Jarratt said. “From bringing gifts at the holidays, making meals throughout the year, filling welcome bags, raising funds, and lending a hand as RMHC renovates and remodels its 18-year-old East House, we simply couldn’t do what we do without the tremendous support of Marquis Companies.”
McDonald’s and U.S. Bank served as the event’s gold-level sponsors with additional sponsorship support from Dr. Pepper, HealthNet, Northwest Consulting and Marketing, Perkins & Co., Portland Trail Blazers, OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, and Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel. Ken Wright with Ken Wright Cellars donated the evening’s wine pairing.
About RMHC Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington® provides a “home away from home” for families with seriously ill children, and supports initiatives to improve pediatric health. For more than three decades, our dedicated staff and volunteers have offered comfort and support, a well-stocked kitchen and a warm bed to more than 32,000 families. To accomplish this, we rely on the generosity of donors, community partners and the hundreds of volunteers who selflessly give to our organization every year. For more information, visit www.rmhcoregon.org.
Portland, October 15th, 2015. Lunch at a migratory labor camp in Odell, Oregon is the caption given to the photograph of a mother feeding her children. It’s one of over 170,000 depression-era photos recently sorted and organized by a team of Yale researchers. Quite a few of the photos were taken in Oregon and can be seen at this website. From 1935-1944, the Farm Security Administration — Office of War Information undertook the largest photography project ever sponsored by the federal government. We’ve selected some compelling images which show Oregonians struggling through the depression and people drawn to the state in hopes of a better life in an area with abundant natural resources.
Unloading boxes of salmon from fishing boat at docks of Columbia River Packing Association, Astoria, Oregon
Fisherman, Astoria, Oregon
Packing tuna into cans, Columbia River Packing Association, Astoria, Oregon
Oregon, Marion County, near West Stayton. Bean pickers’ children in camp at end of day
Migratory boy, aged eleven, and his grandmother work side by side picking hops. Started work at five a.m. Photograph made at noon. Temperature 105 degrees. Oregon, Polk County, near Independence.
Oregon, Marion County, near West Stayton. Migrant pickers harvesting beans. Farm people came from South Dakota
Oregon, Marion county, near West Stayton. Father and children came from Albany, Oregon, for a season’s work in the beans
Oregon, Marion County, near West Stayton. Weighing beans at scales on edge of field. Rate – one dollar per 100 pounds.
Independence (vicinity), Polk County, Oregon. Wife of an ex-logger, now a migratory field worker, resting in the shade of the hop vine at noon.
Seven of the eight farmers shown with their cooperatively owned ensilage cutter on the Miller farm, where they are working filling the silo. Yamhill County, Oregon.
A Warm Springs Indian chief at the Molalla Buckeroo. Molalla, Oregon
Lumberjack forming log raft in slough, Tillamook, Oregon
Log booms in Willamette River. Portland, Oregon
Squatter’s shack on Willamette River. Portland, Oregon
A part-time fruit worker in his squatter’s shack under the Ross Island Bridge. Portland, Oregon
Rehabilitation client. McMinnville, Oregon
The massive effort to photograph people during the depression was aimed at justify government programs. The photographers set out to document America, often at her most vulnerable, and the successful administration of relief service. The Farm Security Administration—Office of War Information (FSA-OWI) produced some of the most iconic images of the Great Depression and World War II and included photographers such as Dorothea Lange, Walker Evans, and Arthur Rothstein who shaped the visual culture of the era both in its moment and in American memory. Unit photographers were sent across the country. The negatives were sent to Washington, DC. The growing collection came to be known as “The File.” With the United State’s entry into WWII, the unit moved into the Office of War Information and the collection became known as the FSA-OWI File. Visit the website to see more.
Portland, October 3, 2015. Incight and over 320 generous friends and supporters gathered at the Portland Art Museum to celebrate over 11 years of Incight leading the way for people with disabilities. The Benefit raised over $230,000 for the organization’s empowering suite of services. Amy Coe-Ingalls, Emily Wooton and Beth Horton were in the spirit of the event. The night was full of derby-themed surprises and the program kicked off with a recorded welcome from Ronnie Turcotte, rider of Secretariat, winner of the U.S. Triple Crown in 1973. KGW’s Drew Carney was the 2015 Derby Gala MC, and spoke warmly about his passion for Incight’s mission to unlock the potential of people with disabilities.
West Livaudais and Courtney Smurdon
Rebecca Taylor and Michelle Heubner
Adriana Dameron and Danielle Friess
Scott Hatley on stage.
Johnna Wells and the room full of supporters.
The event featured games, silent auction gifts, a vacation package raffle, and an exciting live auction led by Johnna Wells, international auctioneer champion. Gala attendees came adorned with derby attire, and enjoyed Mint Juleps, Kentucky Lemonade cocktails, and a menu that was both delectable and fun. The excitement was amplified by the Swindells Charitable Trust who offered a match of contributions during the paddle raise portion of the evening.
Incight hit the highest mark to date in support raised from the event, which will go towards the organization’s adaptive recreation programs, scholarships for students, employment workshops and networking events for job seekers, high-level diversity and inclusion trainings for employers, and towards everything that Incight does in the community to bust stigma and pave the way for people with disabilities to lead a fulfilling life.
Incight was honored to have a number of amazing sponsors support this event, including presenting sponsor Safeway Foundation, platinum sponsors The Standard and Immix Law Group, and gold sponsor Aequitas Capital. Other supporting sponsors were Albina Community Bank, Pacific Power, Cambia Health Solutions, McKesson, FedEx, The Boeing Company, Keen Healthcare, the OSU Foundation, University of Portland, CareOregon, Mass Mutual, PAC MET, OHSU, Oregon Health Authority, Moore Excavation and Pacific Continental Bank. The community truly came together for this event, as Incight also received in kind support from Helioterra Winery, Pacific Pie Company, Widmer Brothers Brewing, Miles Nursery, LNS Captioning, B & B Print Source and many other local businesses.
From Incight:
Incight is a 501(c) 3 non-profit that supports and empowers key life aspects of education, employment, and independence.
More potential resides within the disability community than has been historically realized – and that much of that potential is unfairly locked up due to stigma, resulting in low expectation.
Incight offers three distinct programs that provide resources to help people who experience disability realize their potential and encourage the community at large to consider greater inclusion. We have created projects that do not reinvent the wheel of disability services, but support and embolden existing systems. Each program is built on the back bone of our anti-stigma approach.
We aim to create a culture of inclusion by leading an important conversation about disability in our community. Our vision includes workplaces free of stigma surrounding disability, support systems for students to access all necessary resources to successfully complete college, recreational opportunities for athletes of all abilities, and a safe forum for people who want to learn more.
Our services directly impact hundreds of students and jobseekers; thousands of athletes, families, educators, non-profits, and business professionals; and countless community partners, corporations, and schools.
OUR HISTORY
Founded in 2004, by Vail Horton, who is a congenital amputee, and Scott Hatley, who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The name Incight comes from a hybrid of the word Incite – to spark a passion, and Insight – to possess intimate knowledge. This hybrid describes the founders original intention – to destroy the stigma that surrounds disability and fill in the gaps of other support services.
They found studies reporting that only 16% of people with disabilities earned college degrees and 76% were unemployed.
They observe, that since 1990 with the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, there are protected rights for people with disabilities and that accommodations and accessibility have increased 10x, the statistics for higher education and employment accomplishments have barely increased.
Significant obstacles remain for people with disabilities – and the largest of all is the stigma – or incorrect attitude and perspective. Lastly, they rightly recognize that this stigma is a two-way street. It occurs internally – within the disability demographic. It also occurs externally – as too much of society discounts those with disabilities.
Recruiting their college roommate, Jerry Carleton, to the cause – Incight was born. Jerry, Scott, and Vail built a team of staff, board members, and volunteers who are deeply committed to affecting real change in their communities.
Portland, September 25th, 2015. Castaway was the place to support the Latino Network. Latino Network provides transformative opportunities, services, and advocacy for the education, leadership and civic engagement of youth, families and communities. At the party, Woodburn City Council member Teresa Alonso was pictured with Cynthia Gomez, Portland State University; Victoria Lara, Lara Media Services and Latino Network board member; and Oscar Arana, Native American Youth & Family Center.
Governor Kate Brown attended the cocktail reception where she had the opportunity to meet with key Latino leaders and Noche Bella honorees. (photo credit, Andie Petkus)
Mayor Charlie Hales, Governor Kate Brown, Carmen Rubio Latino Network Executive Director and PPS Superintendent Carole Smith
Izzy Ventura, Nanci Luna Jimenez, Jonath Colon, and Melinda Veliz. Jonath and Melinda participated in the Latino Network executive leadership program Unid@s, which Nanci Luna Jimenez facilitates the opening retreat.
Latino Network’s Board of Directors: Annette Campista, Maria Elena Campisteguy, Hector Ignacio, Carmen Rubio, Jilma Meneses, (seated) Hector Chavez, Alan Finn, Nate Waas Shull, Jose Klein (Not pictured: Jessica Howard, Victoria Lara, Santos Cash, Paulina Menchaca)
Representative Joe Gallegos was honored with the Aguila Award, recognizing his outstanding commitment to the Latino community throughout his career, and especially for his recent accomplishment of working with the Legislature to pass the English Language Learner reform bill. Latino Network Board Chair Jilma Meneses presented Rep. Gallegos with the award.
The Oregon Lottery presented our student honoree, Aurora Resendiz, with a surprise scholarship for $2,000. Deputy Director Roland Iparraguirre encouraged Aurora to defy stereotypes by pursuing education. Aurora graduated from Madison HS in June and is now enrolled at Portland Community College.
Lai-Lani Ovalles of United Way of the Columbia Willamette; Sita Symonette, Jesse Beason, of Northwest Health Foundation; and Dani Ledezma, of Gov. Brown’s office
Renowned Mariachi singer, and former Latino Network staff member, Edna Vazquez performed with her mariachi band to start off the night.
Presenting Sponsor Portland Development Commission’s Director of Communications and Social Equity John Jackley welcomed everyone to the event, followed by a welcome from Latino Network Executive Director Carmen Rubio.
“Tonight, we are celebrating what we can accomplish when we cultivate the power and the amazing leadership of our community. When community comes together, rooted in our many stories, background and cultures yet reaching for our own futures, our communities thrive.
Our participants are mothers, nursery workers, bussers, teacher aides, students, infants, fathers, abuelos, factory workers, college students, professionals and homemakers. While these people sound diverse, the one thing they all are is leaders. These leaders, big and small, are being supported to lead their families, friends, coworkers and their own futures.”
Guests enjoyed four courses from Mayahuel Catering, which owns and operates Tamale Boy food truck and restaurant in NE Portland. Owner Jaime Soltero, Jr and Chef Abel Hernandez brought together the flavors of Latin America, featuring dishes from Puebla, Oaxaca, and Guadelajara, Mexico as well as Peru and traditional Mayan and Incan dishes.
The organization honored incoming Portland Community College freshman Aurora Resendiz. Aurora participated in our college and career readiness program Escalera, which works with juniors and seniors in high school to support students and parents in achieving graduation and post-secondary success.
Aurora also received a generous, surprise scholarship from the Oregon Lottery, presented by Deputy Director Roland Iparraguirre for $2,000 toward her education.
From Latino Network
Vision
Our thriving Latino community is respected and engaged.
History
Latino Network was founded in 1996 by community leaders who grew concerned about the lack of adequate resources to meet the needs of the growing Latino community. Since that time, we have evolved to become an organization that also encompasses transformational programs aimed at educating and empowering Multnomah County Latinos. Low achievement scores, youth violence and high drop out rates undermine the Latino community’s potential. We address these issues by promoting early literacy, encouraging parent involvement, working with gang-involved and adjudicated youth and families, and providing academic support and activities to high school aged youth.
Focus
Latino Network provides opportunities, services and advocacy for the education, leadership development and civic engagement of Latino youth and families in Multnomah County every year. Our work springs from the core belief in Latino community self-determination—that is, the ability of community members to participate meaningfully in the decisions that affect their lives and the lives of their families.
We Value:
The advocacy, leadership and engagement of Latinos in the decisions that affect their lives.
Our history and languages and our continued connection to them.
The power of partnership and collaboration.
The strength of our community’s rich diversity.
Education and the advancement of our children and youth.
Our programs for children and parents, youth and adults help improve community livability, foster civic participation, and prepare for educational and life success. Our programs for children and parents, youth and adults help improve community livability, foster civic participation, and prepare for educational and life success.
For more information about any of our programs, please contact Edgar Ortega at [email protected]. .
Portland, October 9th, 2015. Animal lovers crowded the halls of the Sentinel Hotel for the Wet Nose Soirée. During the fashion show, Tammy Beckley and Hero took on the catwalk as did Elliot Greene and his Guinea Pig Samuri. The theme was DoveLewis’ version of the Grand Budapest Hotel. Several hundred guests enjoyed a live and silent auction, gourmet dinner, pet and person fashion show and after-party.
Funds raised at the event benefit the nonprofit. DoveLewis is Portland’s nonprofit 24-Hour Emergency and ICU Animal Hospital, offering advanced veterinary care.
Models Genevieve Klein and Nicole Gooding pose with Freddie Klein
Howard Hedinger’s dog, Hero finds his master in the fashion show audience.
From Dove Lewis:
DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital, established in 1973 and based in Portland, Ore., is the only nonprofit, 24-hour emergency and intensive care unit in the region. DoveLewis provides donor-funded programs to the community, including one of the United States’ largest volunteer-based animal blood banks, a nationally recognized pet loss support program, an animal-assisted therapy program, education for veterinary professionals and the animal-loving community, 24-hour stabilizing care for lost, stray and wild animals and financial assistance for qualifying low-income families and abused animals. With over 40 years of service to the community, DoveLewis has treated over 500,000 animals and has been deemed one of Oregon’s Most Admired Nonprofits by The Portland Business Journal for eight years.
The DoveLewis Mission
To provide the best emergency and critical care for companion animals, and to support veterinary professionals and the animal-loving community.
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