Portland, OR. Nearly 500 guests joined Portland State University for Wine and Roses 2019 – an annual fundraising gala in support of Vikings Athletics. Thanks to the generosity of guests and sponsors, the April 27th benefit generated more than $500,000, the majority of which will be used for student-athlete scholarships. Led by mascot Victor E. Viking, Vikings student-athletes kicked off the high-energy night in good spirits. (Photo credit, Megan Connelly)
PSU alum and former NFL quarterback Neil Lomax, ’81, unveils championship banners on stage at Wine and Roses 2019.
Viking Hall of Famer Neil Lomax, ’81, welcomed the audience and unveiled the new PSU championship banners which will be permanently installed in the rafters of the Viking Pavilion at the Peter W. Stott Center. Among them are nine retired jerseys, nine conference championship titles and two national championship titles.
“With these banners, we’re able to honor the people and teams who have helped build this amazing program in a new way,” said Neil Lomax. “This is our legacy, and we’re proud of it.”
Nearly 500 guests raised more than $500,000 in support of Vikings Athletics.
More than 200 student-athletes volunteered at the event, welcoming guests to the Viking Pavilion at the Peter W. Stott Center and sharing their stories of opportunity. Student-athlete Donte Robinson shared his story of achievement as a three-time Big Sky Conference Champion for PSU Men’s Track and Field. Freshman Desirae Hansen, whose game-winning shot delivered the Vikings’ first Big Sky tournament title since 2010, also shared her powerful PSU story.
PSU Athletics Director Valerie Cleary shows the audience what it means to be a Viking.
“Our student-athletes shine in all they do — in the classroom, in their sport, and in the community,” said Athletics Director Valerie Cleary. “Scholarships are critical to their success. Thank you to everyone who came out on Saturday to support these phenomenal young men and women.”
From PSU:
The night’s success comes thanks to presenting sponsor Jeff Eulberg of Evergreen Gavekal. Eulberg is a Viking Football alum and PSU Foundation Board Member whose leadership as a sponsor has helped to advance the university’s athletics program over the past six years. “My experiences as a student-athlete laid the groundwork for the success that I’ve found in recent years,” said Jeff Eulberg. “I’m proud to pay that forward by supporting a program that makes such an impact in the lives of student-athletes and in our city.” Additional thanks to event sponsors Peter and Julie Stott, Burns Brothers, Stewart Sokol & Larkin, Key Event Services, Les Schwab, Steve and Dolores Petruzelli and the many others who came together in support of Portland State Athletics.
Portland, OR. Community Warehouse’s Chair Affair on April 13th was held at the Sentinel Hotel. Executive Director Dunetchka Otero-Serrano, Founder Roz Babener, and Rich Nixon were on hand for the cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner and live auction. The annual gala was also an opportunity for supporters to spend time with other community members who see the furniture bank as an important offering in a time of need. (Photo credit, Michelle Radford-Brown, Justin Houk, Tom Healy)
Estela Sanchez and Pedro Flores, owners of La Cocina restaurant, were honored guests and featured speakers, sharing their story of friendship with Community Warehouse.
Mark and Cathy Myers, of SSOE.
Dirk Fournier, Dunetchka Otero-Serrano, and Jody Stahancyk
Auctioneer Dale Johannes helps Golden Ticket Winner Dorothy Barnum make a selection from the live auction packages.
Jessica Thompson, of Oregon Walks
Bid cards raised! Dunetchka Otero-Serrano and Brandi Tuck, of Portland Homeless Family Solutions
Organizers say, “Our region only has one furniture bank to provide essential items for people and families whose homes—and lives—are transformed by the generous offerings of our community. Neighbors helping neighbors, turning houses into homes.”
From Community Warehouse:
Community Warehouse is a nonprofit furniture bank that connects essential furniture and household items to 7,800 individuals, including 3,553 children, every year. Through partnerships with over 200 social service agencies, the Warehouse helps 60 households each week in our Portland and Tualatin locations, and keeps 500+ tons of goods out of landfills each year. Together, we put used goods to good use every day as we help our neighbors in need. Chair Affair is the Warehouse’s major annual fundraiser. All proceeds from the event directly support Community Warehouse. Learn more at communitywarehouse.org
Portland, OR. Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM) celebrated its 7th Annual Cherry Blossom Gala on Saturday, April 6th at Castaway Portland, raising $77,000 to support the college’s students, low-income patients and affordable clinics. The college honored OCOM patient Dr. Aart Lovenstein (pictured with Molly Frye) and his healing journey through acupuncture and compassionate care. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)
The benefit brought together 200 people to illuminate health and healing, including new college President, Sherri Green, PhD, OCOM co-founder Eric Stephens, DAOM, LAc and Chair of the Old Town Chinatown Community Association, Helen Ying.
Laura Bueermann and Eric Stephens, DAOM, LAc ’05
DR. Bradley “Brad” Malsin, MD, OCOM Board Member
OCOM President Sherri L. Green, PhD
Emcee Jamie Greenhut ’21 and Auctioneer Dale Johannes
Peter Martin, MAcOM, LAc ’92
Eager Bidders Raise Their Paddles
This year’s theme, “The Night of 1000 Lanterns” inspired the crowd with a variety of experiences including a cocktail reception, Chinese-inspired dinner, live Chinese music, a “Sparkle Lounge” with free Swarovski ear crystals, Chinese calligraphy, “Laughing Buddha” photo booth, and silent and live auctions.
From OCOM:
Founded in 1983, OCOM is a single-purpose professional graduate school that offers first professional and postgraduate degree programs in acupuncture and Chinese medicine. OCOM’s mission is to transform health care by educating highly skilled and compassionate practitioners, providing exemplary patient care, and engaging in innovative research within a community of service and healing. Our 1,400 graduates practice, teach and research Chinese medicine in 50 states and across the globe, and have provided an estimated 10 million treatments over the past 36 years. OCOM’s campus and main clinic inhabit a LEED Gold certified facility in historic Old Town Chinatown.
To experience OCOM health care services for yourself call OCOM’s Patient Services Team at 503-445-0951. Additional information about the program is available on our website: ocom.edu
Portland, OR. CASA for Children of Multnomah, Washington, and Columbia Counties hosted its 28th Annual Auction: Here Comes the Sun, at the Portland Art Museum on April 5th. The evening’s presenting sponsor was Fred Meyer, and the event raised more than $701,000 in support of CASA’s mission to advocate for the rights, safety, and well-being of abused and neglected children who are under the protection of the courts. This is CASA’s largest single source of fundraising revenue. (Photo credit, Colson Griffith)
Auctioneer Dale Johannes gets the crowd bidding.
Kiersten & her CASA, Cindy, share their story with guests.
The honorary guests included a young woman named Kiersten and her CASA Cindy. Cindy provided support and guidance to Kiersten during her tumultuous pre-teen years through her successful adoption as a teenager, and beyond as she graduated from PSU. This touching story moved the evening’s guests to raise their paddles during the special appeal, which raised over $310,000.
From CASA:
CASA greatly appreciates the generosity of each attendee, and would also like to thank Anna Maria Savinar and Dale Johannes, the auction’s emcee and auctioneer. The event’s success would not have been possible without them.
All proceeds raised from the auction directly impact CASA for Children’s ability to serve more children with a CASA volunteer. A CASA passionately and tirelessly works to guide a child through the trauma of the court system. Oregon law gives CASAs unusual authority as a ‘party to the case’ so that they are able to ensure that the system does not ignore a child’s needs and that the judge has the information to act in the child’s best interests. A CASA is trained to work with judges, social workers, teachers, foster parents, and family members to guarantee that the safety and well-being of the child is front and center. This annual auction ensures the continuation of CASA’s advocacy work on behalf of our community’s foster children.
Portland, OR. The annual YMCA Good Friday Breakfast at the Oregon Convention Center drew over 950 business and community leaders from the Portland and Vancouver metro area. Supporters gathered to recognize and celebrate the significance of Good Friday and a shared Christian heritage. The event was centered on prayer, encouragement and reflection. At the event Mark Burris, Chief Operations Officer at the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette, Kaytie Fiedler, Executive Director at Open Arms International; John O’Leary, Keynote Speaker; and Mike Burkesmith; Good Friday Breakfast Co-Chair posed for a photo. (Photo credit, Sam Cox)
Keynote Speaker John O’Leary, Former Governor John Kitzhaber and YMCA of Columbia-Willamette COO Mark Burris
“The YMCA shared a video highlighting its programs for kids, families and adults of all ages, their Chaplains and the Y’s Christian Principles of love, respect, honesty, responsibility and service.”
Here’s the video link.
Booths were available to sponsors, including Founder and Gold Sponsor Open Arms International
Event founder, Open Arms International, helped make the breakfast possible and Kaytie Fielder from Open Arms International was the emcee for the breakfast. Kevin Palau provided the invocation at the April 19th event. After a breakfast of Salmon Croquettes Co-Chairs Mike Burkesmith and Mark Burris, Chief Operating Officer of the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette took the stage to thank sponsors and guests.
The YMCA shared a video highlighting its programs for kids, families and adults of all ages, their Chaplains and the Y’s Christian Principles of love, respect, honesty, responsibility and service.
Keynote Speaker John O’Leary shared his story of triumph and his beliefs on how you choose the path to walk in your life. At the age of nine, after a massive explosion in his home, he was given a one percent chance to live, and fought extraordinary odds to survive. Organizers say John was engaging, entertaining, humble, thought-provoking while sharing his strong, selfless commitment to Jesus Christ. He also encouraged attendees to take the message of Good Friday out into their communities. Forty-five minutes after he started speaking the audience responded with a standing ovation signaling their connection to John and to the spirit of Good Friday. The breakfast wrapped up with Dorcas Brown leading the room in a beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace.
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