Portland, February 28th, 2014. Some furry friends were featured at Portland’s Yard, Garden and Patio Show at the Oregon Convention Center. Their VIP appearance raised awareness about the Oregon Humane Society. The Yard and Garden Show attracted over 20,000 people. The three-day event featured showcase gardens and workshops including ideas focused on sustainability. Those at the VIP event included: Mary Lou See, an OHS volunteer; Jane Morrison, the OHS Corporate Relations Manager; Jane Harris, OHS Donor Relations Manager; Akin Blitz, OHS Board of Trustees member; and Jenni Nowak, a OHS volunteer.
Lucy Hardiman worked on the Yard Garden and Patio Show committee, Valerie Easton is a Seattle Garden Writer, Jim Rondone is the President of Hardy Plants Society of Oregon, and Linda Wisner is a board member on the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon.
For 145 years OHS has been sheltering abandoned animals, fighting cruelty and neglect, and working to build a caring, compassionate community here in Oregon. Although we have thousands of members and 1,500 volunteers, we are really nothing more than a single person saying ‘Yes, I want to help.’
Here, you can learn how to adopt a pet, report animal cruelty, lend a helping hand to animals, and much more. OHS is not affiliated with any other local or national organization and receives no tax dollars; our work is made possible only by the generosity of people like yourself.
Portland, March 5th, 2014. Central City Concern gathered Art Task Force members, donors, artists and staff to celebrate the installation completion. Volunteers like Art Task Force members Carole Romm, Kathleen Stephenson-Kuhn and Pam Baker worked for two years to fill the walls of the nonprofit serving homeless people. They secured 40 original works of art by Northwest artists. Art Task Force member, Jeanine Jablonski led the installation work over the past three Sundays working with other volunteers. The group of 120+ party goers were deeply impressed with the quality of artwork and Central City Concern is grateful for the many hours of tireless effort required to make this project a reality.
CCC Executive Director Ed Blackburn shares the story of how the Old Town Recovery Center’s building came to be constructed and completed in 2011.
Artist George Johanson with his work ‘Eden.’
Mary Josephson’s ‘It Can’t be True.’
William Park’s ‘I’m Ready to Talk Now.’
Baba Wagué Diakité’s ‘The Fishermen and the Helpers’
Central City Concern was founded in 1979 and addresses the root causes of homelessness: addictions, mental illness and unemployment.
Mission:
Ending homelessness and achieving self-sufficiency.
CCC serves approximately 13,000 individuals and families in the Portland area yearly with affordable housing, addiction treatment and recovery services, primary and mental health care, affordable housing and employment development.
Portland, February 23rd, 2014. The Mittleman Jewish Community Center (MJCC) marked its 100th birthday at the annual “Friends of the Center” Dinner. Gayle Schnitzer Romain was honored for her dedication and commitment to the MJCC. Family members were on hand to honor Gayle including: Lois Schnitzer, Jill Edelson, Dina Meier, honoree Gayle Romain, Laura Rosencrantz, Sandra Schnitzer and Marti Spitzer.
Josh Frankel presented the 2014 Harry Glickman Scholar Athlete Awards to Shea Northfield and Brendan Edelson.
Ruben Menashe, Jeanne and Phyllis Newmark, Roberta Weinstein and Sandy Weinstein were inducted into the Oregon Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. The evening was a success raising over $138,000 toward Center operations.
Attendees enjoyed the “backyard” of the Jewish community by hoola hooping.
Amy and Doug Blauer were the emcees for the evening.
Judy Margles, Executive Director of the Oregon Jewish Museum, presented the history of the MJCC for the last 100 years.
From MJCC:
A Rich Legacy…A Vibrant Future
Since its founding in 1914, Portland’s Jewish community center has provided a wide variety of social, cultural, educational and recreational programming. Today, the Mittleman Jewish Community Center (MJCC) is the core of Portland’s Jewish community– we also offer a welcoming gathering space that is open to our neighbors and people of all faiths.
Our Journey Began in the Early 20th Century
In 1910, the B’nai B’rith Building Association in Portland decided to establish a Jewish community center. The original two-story building, located on Thirteenth Avenue between Market and Mill streets, opened to the community in 1914.
The Jewish Community Center came to life as a beloved gathering place for its members. There was something for everyone in the family to enjoy: meeting facilities, classrooms, athletic facilities, a library, and a billiard room. It was truly a hub of activity, with events ranging from B’nai B’rith Orchestra performances to High Holiday services for the Sephardic community.
Many generations of Jewish Portlanders fondly recall the dances, swimming lessons, social clubs, basketball games, fundraisers, and summer camp activities that were hosted or organized by the center.
We Expanded to Meet Growing Needs
The center moved to its current location in 1971. In 1976, member Harry Mittleman made a generous donation which allowed the community center to retire the building’s mortgage. In acknowledgement of his philanthropy, the center was renamed to honor Harry’s wife, Helen.
The center has expanded over the years: in 1987 a wing was added to accommodate the Portland Jewish Academy, and in 1996 the EarlyChildhood Learning Center was created.
In 2005-07, the building underwent a major renovation, refreshing PJA and adding:
New lobby and café for MJCC
New ballroom with state of the art audio visual capabilities
New locker rooms, spa facilities and cardio-weight room;
Family changing rooms;
New exercise rooms and renovated gymnasium.
We’re a Center for Today’s Community
We are proud to continue our tradition as a center for Jewish life while offering a welcoming environment for all of our neighbors. More than 1,000 people come through our doors daily for classes, athletic activities, meetings, special events, and programs.
People come to the MJCC for services and programs open to the public and found nowhere else in Oregon or southwestern Washington, including community-wide secular Jewish celebrations and performances; Jewish community orchestra and klezmer performances and family activities.
We are immensely proud to offer Jewish cultural arts and social programs; premier fitness and wellness facilities open to all; beautifully-appointed public areas and rental spaces; day camp; programs that serve the elderly, infirm and disabled; and Oregon’s only kosher café.
Our Legacy is the Foundation for Our Future
Since its founding nearly 100 years ago, the Mittleman Jewish Community Center has served the social, cultural, educational and recreation needs of Portland families without regard to religion, background or ability to pay.
Although the MJCC’s stated mission is to fulfill these needs for Portland’s Jewish community, we have always interpreted that imperative to encompass the entire Portland community. This history of service to a diverse, broad-based community, informed by the Jewish imperative of tikkun olam (repairing the world; making the world a better place) infuses the MJCC’s spirit today.
Throughout the decades, the MJCC has evolved into a “living room” for our community. Every day, the MJCC’s programs impact Oregonians’ quality of life; every day, we see ways in which the impacts of our program will be felt by future generations.
For many of Portland’s Jewish community, it is their center for Jewish living and bears the memories of those who enjoyed the original 1914 facility as well as our modern campus. The MJCC is a link in the chain of generations.
We Provide a Welcoming Environment for All
The MJCC, which has historically been involved with social service organizations, continues to work in partnership with groups such asCedar Sinai Park, Cancer Care Resources, Red Cross, OHSU MedicalSchool, and others. We also provide meeting space for local nonprofits at low cost – whether it is a local women’s soccer organization, a Muslim group seeking a space to hold a holiday celebration or a flu shot clinic staffed by OHSU medical students.
We hope that you will come to visit the MJCC – explore our facilities, meet our members, and consider becoming part of the center. We welcome the entire community and we hope to be part of the fabric of your family’s life.
Portland, February 14th, 2014. It was the most successful Valentine’s Day fundraiser for the Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) with $670,000 pledged and counting. Donations will help seriously ill kids, teens, and their families. CCA organizers say, “We are honored and humbled by this outpouring of generosity and love.” KPTV FOX12 Oregon’s Amy Troy, CCA Founder and CEO, Regina Ellis, and KPTV’s Shauna Parsons bonded in the studio during the Valentine-A-Thon.
CCA staff members Angela Long, Christina Heesacker, Meg Byrtek, Nicole MacDonald, Jenny O’Brian, Sierra Smith, Regina Ellis, Katy Moore (The BUZZ), Dave Schaeffer, Kacy Smerke, Cheryl Kanekoa, and Willow Bacon. Top row: CCA staff members Greg Pokarney, Nonda Hanneman, The BUZZ’s Mitch, KPTV’s Mark Nelsen and Corey Hansen, The Buzz’s Daria, KPTV’s Shauna Parsons and Amy Troy, The BUZZ’s Ted, Brian, and Kent, and CCA’s Diana Szymczak.
Director of Marketing at Dick Hannah Dealerships, Kent Van Arnam, Ryland, Caden (who picked the winning raffle ticket), and Blake, and KPTV’s Mark Nelsen.
KPTV’s Pete Ferryman, Tony Martinez, Andy Carson, CCA’s Regina Ellis, KPTV’s Kimberly Maus, and CCA Board Chair, Andy Lytle, Division Vice President, Estates – West, Jackson Family Wines.
Nike’s Vice President for Design and Special Projects, Tinker Hatfield and CCA Board Member, Andrea Corradini, Nike Senior Merchandising Director, Emerging Markets, Running, captained a man vs. woman donation challenge for CCA raising more than $110,000! They are pictured here flanking KPTV’s Amy Troy.
Many friends came together to donate their time and talent to create this milestone:Daria, Mitch, Ted, and the rest of the crew at 105.1 The BUZZ
Melissa Maag and CCA Ambassador Board Member, Allison Clarke, President, Allison Clarke Consulting, rally the phone bank volunteers.
CCA Ambassador Board Members Sabrina Snow, Vice President, Washington Trust Bank, and Jenifer Nelles, National Accounts Consultant, Standard Insurance Company
WayneGarciaFox12 KPTV’s Wayne Garcia encouges viewers to become a King or Queen of Hearts by making a $1,000 donation to CCA.
Melissa Maag and CCA Ambassador Board Member, Allison Clarke, President, Allison Clarke Consulting, rally the phone bank volunteers.
ThompsonsKingAndQueen (left to right) Former CCA-served parents and long-time CCA supporters Mike and Wendy Thompson manned the phone bank, taking donations from the community. Mike’s stack of five hats represents a $5,000 donation!
Portland, February 21st, 2014. Nearly 2,000 people joined in an annual two-day celebration to benefit local Boys & Girls Clubs. Thursday’s gala was “The Standard Presents: A Night of Stars” featuring the Winemakers Private Reserve Dinner. It was held at Portland’s Art Museum and included an appearance and concert by Javier Colon, the season one champion of “The Voice.” Friday’s Showcase of Wine & Cheese was held at the Portland Convention Center and featured tastings of hundreds of wines accompanied by a wide assortment of cheese and other treats. (Photo credit: Antonio Harris Photography)
Dan Ryan, CEO of All Hands Raised; Carmen Rubio, executive director of the Latino Network; Tracy Curtis, Wells Fargo Regional President for Oregon and SW Washington and husband, Rick Nagore
Guests head about the programs of Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metropolitan Area
Vocalist Javier Colon performs with Boys & Girls Club youth
Ed & Cyndy Maletis
From the Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland: Our mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
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