Organically Grown Company Celebrates p:ear With Ecotrust Terrace Party

Organically Grown Company Celebrates p:ear With Ecotrust Terrace Party

Portland, July 21st.  The Organically Grown Company hosted a fundraising party for one of its favorite charities: the mentoring program for homeless and transitional teens called p:ear. Marketing Communications Specialist for Organically Grown, Tonya Haworth, and Marketing Manager, Stacy Kraker, organized the event.

Nate Engkjer, a p:ear employee, Steph Chase, the Development and Community Relations Manager, and Beth Burns, the Executive Director, enjoy the early hours of the event.

Nate Engkjer, a p:ear employee, Steph Chase, the Development and Community Relations Manager, and Beth Burns, p:ear’s Executive Director

A view of the Ecotrust terrace where the event was held.

The party was on the Ecotrust terrace at 721 NW 9th Avenue.

The green table cloths were filled with food supplied by the Phresh Organic Catering Company.  Some dishes included a tomato basil salad, roasted potatoes, and chicken breast with Oregon honey-chipotle barbecue sauce.

Phresh Organic Catering Company served up tomato basil salad, roasted potatoes, and chicken breast with Oregon honey-chipotle barbecue sauce.

Organically Grown Company is employee and grower owned. Every summer the company gives boxes of fresh produce to the p:ear kitchen to help feed hungry teens.

This fundraiser for p:ear looked over the Sundown at Ecotrust event which began at 5:30 and helped entertain guests.

This fundraiser for p:ear had views of the “Sundown at Ecotrust” event happening below.

Mo and Don Mayfield look over the terrace with Tonya McMillan and her son Koen.

Mo and Don Mayfield look over the terrace with Tonya McMillan and her son Koen.

Tyler Clear and Brian Cook take a moment to smile while gathering a plate full of food!

Tyler Clear and Brian Cook gave a thumbs-up to the organic food at the party.

 

Baby May had a wonderful time looking throughout the terrace at the growing tomatoes and blueberries.

Baby May had a wonderful time looking at the terrace tomato plants and blueberry bushes .

Melyssa Sharp, Katie Trudeau and Sean McConahay take a look at the sun-filled outdoor area.

Melyssa Sharp, Katie Trudeau and Sean McConahay

Organic Grown Company is the largest wholesaler of organic fruits, vegetables and herbs within the Pacific Northwest.  It was founded by farmers who purchase 90% of their products directly from the growers themselves.

Kristi Yoder and Rachel Ebert laugh while enjoying the atmosphere of the event.

Kristi Yoder and Rachel Ebert enjoyed the atmosphere.

Matt Mylet, Jae Easterbrooks and Laurie Landeros take a quick picture after getting some drinks from the inside bar.

Matt Mylet, Jae Easterbrooks and Laurie Landeros take a quick picture after getting some drinks from the inside bar.

From p:ear:

Each year “p:ear builds positive relationships with homeless and transitional youth through education, art and recreation to affirm personal worth and create more meaningful and healthier lives”.  Throughout this process, p:ear helps serve around 900 “homeless and transitional young people” who vary in age from 15 to 24.

To truly exit homelessness, kids must develop the internal strength, skills and foresight to make healthy choices. p:ear provides a safe, non-judgmental environment in which youth are trusted to outgrow unproductive and harmful behaviors. We offer individualized mentoring and education programs in a safe, reliable setting designed to foster trust, build self-esteem and to teach homeless and transitional kids – who all too often are regarded by society as disposable, “hopeless cases” – that they are valuable individuals with a future who have something vital to contribute to this community.

p:ear staff and volunteers serve as mentors, friends, and role models, while p:ear’s unique programs create opportunities for young people to grow intellectually, express themselves constructively, communicate in positive ways and engage in meaningful interactions with the larger community of Portland. This is not work that can be accomplished in the short-term. These are relationships based on trust that take years to cultivate and require enormous dedication to sustain.

We are committed to being there for p:ear youth over the long-haul to share failures and successes, mundane events as well as life-altering milestones.

p:ear mentors youth through education, art and recreation.

Story by Genevieve Reaume.

Oregon Food Bank’s 25th Waterfront Blues Festival is a Hit

Oregon Food Bank’s 25th Waterfront Blues Festival is a Hit

Portland, July 8th.  Waterfront Blues Festival organizers are celebrating 25 years of musical fundraising to the tune of more than 7 million dollars since 1987. Supporters from Safewayincluded Mona Person, Ron Person, Syd Hanigan, a board member, and Cheryl and Bob Helleman. According to Oregon Food Bank officials, this year alone, supporters donated over $902,000 to feed hungry people in our area. “We set a gigantic goal this year and came within inches of meeting it,” said Laura Golino de Lovato, OFB’s director of development. “We’re pleased with the results and thank the entire community for generously supporting the work of Oregon Food Bank.”

Syd Hanigan enjoys the sponsor's tent with the main organizer of the event, Laura Golino de Lovato. Laura is the Director of Development for the Oregon Food Bank.

Syd Hanigan enjoys the sponsor’s tent with the main organizer of the event, Laura Golino de Lovato. Laura is the Director of Development for the Oregon Food Bank.

 

Annie Herbet, Director of Communications, and Jean Kempe-Ware, Public Relations Manager, smile together near the entrance of the event where over 104,000 pounds of food was collected.

Annie Herbet, Director of Communications, and Jean Kempe-Ware, Public Relations Manager, smile together near the entrance of the event where 116,584  pounds of food was collected.

 

Lucinda Tate, who is on the Oregon Food Bank Board of Directors, Jim Wadsworth, and Janeen Wadsworth, the CEO/Chief Operating Officer smile and enjoy the omelets in the Sponsor's Tent.

Lucinda Tate, who is on the Oregon Food Bank Board of Directors, Jim Wadsworth, and Janeen Wadsworth, the CEO/Chief Operating Officer smile and enjoy the omelets in the Sponsor’s Tent.

2,300 enthusiastic volunteers and generous blues fans helped make the 2012 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union, a rousing success. Festival attendees contributed $902,000 through donations at the gate as well as advance purchases of special passes and DME blues cruise tickets, just shy of the festival’s goal of $945,000. In addition, the festival raised an estimated 116,504 pounds of food, exceeding its goal of 100,000 pounds.

This view from inside the sponsor's tent shows many of the generous donors who help make this event successful.  These special guest also enjoyed a deluxe omelet bar for brunch!

This view from inside the sponsor’s tent shows many of the generous donors who help make this event successful. These special guest also enjoyed a deluxe omelet bar for brunch!

 

Charles and Caryl Fuchs, smile with Kyle and Charlie Fuchs in the sponsor's tent.  Big time donors Charlie and Kyle brought Charlie's parents to enjoy the event!

Charles and Caryl Fuchs, smile with Kyle and Charlie Fuchs in the sponsor’s tent. Big time donors Charlie and Kyle brought Charlie’s parents to enjoy the event.

 

 

Gary Houston gets together with Jean Kempe-Ware for a picture.  Gary has been designing the art work for the event since 2001 - check out all the t-shirts!

Gary Houston gets together with Jean Kempe-Ware for a picture. Gary has been designing the art work for the event since 2001.

Andy Andrews and Mike Specht from Columbia Distributing enjoy the festival.

Andy Andrews and Mike Specht from Columbia Distributing

 

Guests enjoyed four different stages, but the Miller Stage was a hit.  It later held The Steve Miller Band.

Guests enjoyed four different stages. The Steve Miller Band was one of the headliners.

 

Jersey Soul featuring Judy Tint and Kenny Lavitz were a hit on the Miller Stage Sunday Afternoon.

Jersey Soul featuring Judy Tint and Kenny Lavitz took the Miller Stage on Sunday Afternoon.

 

Guests of all ages were able to enjoy the Blues Festival!

Guests of all ages moved to the music!

Oregonians from all over gather to get front row seats river-side

Boaters enjoy front row seats.

From the Oregon Food Bank:

Our mission: To eliminate hunger and its root causes … because no one should be hungry.
Since 1982, Oregon Food Bank has been leading the fight against hunger in Oregon and southwest Washington by collecting and distributing food through a network of four OFB branches and 16 independent regional food banks.
The OFB Network helps nearly one in five households fend off hunger. OFB also leads statewide efforts to increase resources for hungry families and to eliminate the root causes of hunger through advocacy, nutrition education, garden education and helping communities strengthen local food systems.

Did you know …

  • For the first time ever, the Oregon Food Bank Network distributed more than 1 million food boxes to families in need – a 12% increase over last year. 
  • Growing levels of long-term unemployment are forcing more and more people to fall into poverty and to seek emergency food.
  • 33% of those receiving emergency food are children.
  • Children who are hungry get sick more often and have more trouble learning in school.

Story By: Genevieve Reaume

The Sunflower Children’s Foundation Launches in Portland

The Sunflower Children’s Foundation Launches in Portland

Portland, June 30th.  In an effort for the Sunflower Children’s Foundation to expand its Northwest presence, a Portland Fashion Auction Compassion Event (FACE) was held at the Wieden + Kennedy Building on 13th street in Portland.  John Curley, Lindsay Van Bramer, Terry Porter, Mary Lytle and Timber’s owner Merritt Paulson smile for a photo to celebrate the success of the event.  The night began with a silent auction, a photo booth, various food and drink stands, and wine tasting supplied by Majestic Fine Wines.  Following this, the crowd was excited and ready to watch the main event of the night: a fashion show featuring Summer 2012 styles.

Annette Troutman, Boris Jenkins, Nina McLaughlin and Angela Gardner enjoy the view from the second floor.

Annette Troutman, Boris Jenkins, Nina McLaughlin and Angela Gardner enjoy the view from the second floor.

Renee Taylor and Rachel Dean smile together after exploring the venue.

Renee Taylor and Rachel Dean smile together after exploring the venue.

Elyse King-Guffey, Mira Petrillo and Lily Everett volunteer at the front door to help greet the guests.

Elyse King-Guffey, Mira Petrillo and Lily Everett volunteer at the front door to help greet the guests.

Option Model Media supplied all the models, while Orange Studio did hair.  Kevin Lennox was the fashion show coordinator.  Later on in the night, dessert was served and a live auction was held where golf with Terry Porter was featured as one of the live auction items!

The wonderful ladies who coordinated for this event, Lindsay Van Bramer and Mary Lytle, smile together to celebrate the success of their event!

The ladies who coordinated for this event, Lindsay Van Bramer and Mary Lytle, smile together to celebrate the success of the event!

FACE is a non-governmental organization that is run completely by volunteers and put on by the Sunflower Children’s Foundation. Their goal is to reduce hunger worldwide.  FACE held four successful events in Seattle before deciding to add an event in Portland.  The Sunflower Children’s Foundation was founded by model Helena Houdova.

Amy Homan and Robyn Woodman laugh after a fun time in the photo booth!

Amy Homan and Robyn Woodman laugh after a fun time in the photo booth!

Guests enjoy the silent auction on the first floor at the start of the night!

Guests enjoy the silent auction on the first floor at the start of the night!

Kelley Dulcich, Annie Petrillo and Valerie O'Brien enjoy the silent auction items.

Kelley Dulcich, Annie Petrillo and Valerie O’Brien enjoy the silent auction items.

Gabrielle Karras and Mary Welch enjoy the event on the wood bleachers and love the cause.

Gabrielle Karras and Mary Welch enjoy the event on the wood bleachers and love the cause.

In conjunction with the event coordinators, Lindsay Van Bramer and Mary Lytle, Ace Hotel, SightWorks, Mike Zupans, Merritt Paulson and many other generous organizations and people. The event raised just over $35,000 which pleased organizers!

The FACE has two main beneficiaries, The Island of Hope Orphanage and Education Center in India and the Thembelihle Home in South Africa.  The Island of Hope Orphanage and Education Center provides support for the abandoned and displaced children of the 2004 Tsunami.  The Thembelihle Home is a safe haven for children between the ages of six and sixteen who have left their homes because of their own abandonment or because of abuse.  FACE contributes homes and meals, education and supplies, and vaccinations and health care to The Island of Hope Orphanage and Education Center, and they contribute health-care, clothing, education and supplies to The Thembelihle Home.  In addition to these beneficiaries, this particular FACE event held special focus on The Oregon Food Bank.  Non-perishable goods were collected at the check-in station in exchange for a free drink ticket!

For more information, visit the FACE or The Sunflower Children’s Foundation homepage:

http://www.faceportland.org/

http://sunflowerchildrenseattle.org/

Story by Genevieve Reaume

Returning Veterans Project Salutes Volunteers at “The Welcome” Movie Screening

Returning Veterans Project Salutes Volunteers at “The Welcome” Movie Screening

Portland, June 21st.  Returning Veterans Project (RVP) supporters gathered at the First Unitarian Church to celebrate success.  Carol Levine (RVP Founder) and Belle Landau (RVP Executive Director) enjoyed the social hour. Carol Levine talked about the nonprofit’s history and the outstanding work of its members, supporters and volunteers.  Cameron Smith read a message from Governor Kitzhaber and the tone was set for Joe Buck (RVP Client) to offer his personal “Thank You from a Veteran”.  His message brought some to tears. 

Carol Levine and Sarah Smith hug RVP Client Joe Buck after a heartfelt speech.

Carol Levine and Belle Landau hugged Vetern, Joe Buck after a heartfelt speech.

Margaret Eichler PhD, LPC, and Suzanne Best PhD both generously volunteer for the RVP.  Margaret works in trauma care and helps many of her interns get involved with RVP.  Suzanne has been working with veterans since 1996 and got involved in RVP when it was just a year old.

Margaret Eichler PhD, LPC, and Suzanne Best, PhD both generously volunteer for the RVP. Margaret works in trauma care and helps many of her interns get involved with RVP. Suzanne has been working with veterans since 1996 and got involved in RVP when it was just a year old.

RVP Providers Barbara Steven, the only Chaplain in the RVP, Kyra Plume, LMT, and Sonia Connolly, LMT smile as they prepared for "The Welcome" to begin.

RVP Providers Barbara Steven, the only Chaplain in the RVP, Kyra Plume, LMT, and Sonia Connolly, LMT, smile as they prepared for The Welcome to begin.

Bryan Baisinger, Belle Landau, Abe Cohen, DC, Carol Levine and Sarah Smith gather together during the social hour and prepare for the start of the movie.

Bryan Baisinger, Belle Landau, Abe Cohen, DC, Carol Levine and Sarah Smith gather together during the social hour and prepare for the start of the movie.

Throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington Returning Veterans Project works with veterans to provide a “holistic healing model” that creates a “new model of mental healthcare”, as Sarah Smith put it.  The organization connects independent and politically unaffiliated health care practitioners to current service members and returning veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.  RVP also offers its services to other members of the families.  Sarah Smith explains the “holistic healing model”  as a program which goes beyond mental health and provides services from acupuncturists, massage therapists, naturopaths, and many others.  Program managers say counseling provided through the RVP is safe, confidential, and dedicated to the well-being of the service men and women and their families.

RVP will hold another event on June 30th at 7:00 pm.  This event will also be held in the First Unitarian Church in Portland.  This event is titled “Voice of Veterans” and is a welcoming ceremony featuring author Michael Meade and original poetry.

 From The Returning Veterans Project:

Returning Veterans Project was created as a conduit for professionals to give to veterans and their families, and for veterans to find health services in confidential settings that help them feel welcome in the community.”

For more information visit RVP’s website: http://www.returningveterans.org/

At the event supporters also had a chance to get their first look at the award winning documentary, The Welcome.

About the film: The Welcome offers a fiercely intimate view of life after war: the fear, anger and isolation of post-traumatic stress that affects vets and family members alike. As we join these vets in a small room for an unusual five day healing retreat, we witness how the ruins of war can be transformed into the beauty of poetry.Their examples of unflinching honesty, courage and love lift us up, inspiring all of us once again to feel our common humanity, always the first casualty of war.

Reported by Genevieve Reaume

Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest Joins with Cornell Farm for ‘Feed a Seed’ Benefit

Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest Joins with Cornell Farm for ‘Feed a Seed’ Benefit

Portland, June 6th.  Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest partnered with the Cornell Farm nursery for its first annual Feed-a-Seed event.  Jim Buck and volunteers Maggie Wright and Naivasha Dean, Executive Director Jeanne Haster, and Teresa Badel celebrated the success of their inaugural event. Guests enjoyed wine, appetizers, and a silent auction as they shopped for the plants and flowers.

Lyn Terry enjoys the garden gathering and Karen Shepard shops for flowers to support the JVC Northwest.

Lyn Terry enjoys the garden gathering and Karen Shepard shops for flowers to support the JVC Northwest.

A portion of the proceeds from the evening’s purchases went to support the 140 Jesuit Volunteers serving at social service, community health, educational, and environmental organizations in communities throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska.  The First Annual Feed-a-Seed event drew 108 people.

Carol Boutard, board member Gail Kingsley, and Sylvia Black happily pose together during the event

Carol Boutard, board member Gail Kingsley, and Sylvia Black

 

Jane and John Bakke enjoy a glass of wine in support of the JVC

Jane and John Bakke enjoy a glass of wine in support of the JVC Northwest.

JVC Northwest engages women and men in a year or more of full-time volunteer service. Jesuit Volunteers serve in solidarity with persons
living on the margins of society and with vulnerable places in the Pacific Northwest. The money raised through the Feed-A-Seed event will help support the service of the Jesuit Volunteers.

Here’s a link to their Website for more information
http://www.jvcnorthwest.org

 Reported by Genevieve Reaume