Portland, OR. Nearly 2,000 people filled New Hope Church in Happy Valley, Oregon, on November 23rd. The community came together for a free concert supporting local community aid organizations. Adventist Health Portland presented its annual Celebration of Thanksgiving concert as an expression of gratitude for the community’s faith and support. Adventist Health Portland includes Adventist Health Portland Medical Center in southeast Portland, a nonprofit, 302-bed acute care facility, offering a full range of inpatient, outpatient and emergency services throughout the Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area. Clinically integrated with OHSU, Adventist Health Medical Group represents more than 100 primary care and specialty physicians who treat and admit their patients to Adventist Medical Center. Pictured above are people sorting out the generous food donations.
Dr. Terry Johnsson
Matt Maher performs for the crowd
The event opened with performances by a praise band made up of Adventist Health employees, including Joyce Newmyer, Adventist Health Pacific Northwest Region president. Headliner and contemporary Christian artist Matt Maher took the stage, Maher has written and produced nine solo albums and penned many well-known praise and worship songs.
People enjoying the concert
Joyce Newmyer, president of Adventist Health, shares a message of thanks with guests at the 11th annual Celebration of Thanksgiving concert.
Collecting socks for Portland Rescue Mission
Young folks donating food
This year’s guests contributed 1,900 pounds of food for Portland Adventist Community Services (PACS) and more than 3,000 pairs of socks for the Portland Rescue Mission in place of admission for the concert. The celebration of Thanksgiving has raised more than 12 tons of nonperishable food donations since its inception in 2009. More than 10,000 pairs of socks have been donated since this emphasis was added in 2016. Previous performers include Phillips, Craig and Dean; Point of Grace; Rebecca St. James; Selah; and Sandi Patty.
From Adventist Health:
Adventist Health services in Portland are part of Adventist Health a faith-based, nonprofit integrated health system serving more than 75 communities on the West Coast and Hawaii. Our compassionate and talented team of 33,300 includes more than 24,600 employees; 5,000 medical staff physicians; and 3,700 volunteers working together in pursuit of one mission: living God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness, and hope. Founded on Seventh-day Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides care in 19 hospitals, more than 280 clinics (hospital-based, rural health and physician clinics), 13 home care agencies, seven hospice agencies, and four joint-venture retirement centers.
From The Portland Rescue Mission:
The Portland Rescue Mission has had a tireless commitment to breaking the cycle of homelessness, addiction and despair in the lives of hurting people in need. We offer emergency services of food and shelter at our original downtown location at the Burnside Shelter. And we’ve expanded those services to include 24/7 restrooms, showers, clothing, mail service, referrals and community activities in the Guest Care Center.Thanks to generous community support, we’ve expanded our ministry to include a wide range of programs designed to meet a hurting person at their point of need and help them toward their journey home. This includes our 3-month Connect program for men and women, and our New Life Ministries for men and women at The Harbor and Shepherd’s Door, respectively. Portland Rescue Mission also includes our Drive Away Hunger car sales and donations program and Mission Bar-B-Que catering. Proceeds support all of our programs to give hope and restore life to hurting people.
Portland, OR. The Artists Repertory Theatre (ART) cast of The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart performs scenes in and around the audience seated at pub-style tables. Directors Luan Schooler & Dámaso Rodríguez created the unique production of David Greig’s play which is presented, with an optional dinner of pub fare, at the Tiffany Center at 14th and Morrison. (ART has temporarily moved out of its Southwest Portland home during a site redevelopment, so the company is ‘on tour.’) About the play: Prudencia (played by Amy Newman), a scholar specializing in traditional Scottish folklore, has no time for modern pop culture, and even less for her colleague Colin Syme (Eric Little). After a long night out at the pub, Prudencia becomes lost in the snowy forest, only to be rescued by the mysterious Nick (Darius Pierce). But, are Nick’s intentions as altruistic as they seem, or does he have something more nefarious in store?
Amy Newman, Eric Little, Luisa Sermol, Susannah Mars, Alicia Hueni, and Darius Pierce
Luisa Sermol
Darius Pierce as Nick
Amy Newman as Prudencia Hart
Alicia Hueni & Rachel Bentzen
The show will run from Dec 6th through January 5th 2020 in the Tiffany Center, at 1410 SW Morrison Street. Tickets begin at $60, with discounts available for students and those under 35. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 503.241.1278 or visit online at www.artistsrep.org.
From Artists Rep: Artists Rep is Portland’s premiere mid-size regional theatre company and is led by Artistic Director Dámaso Rodríguez and Managing Director J.S. May. Founded in 1982, Artists Repertory Theatre is the longest-running professional theatre company in Portland. ART became the 72nd member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) in 2016 and is an Associate Member of the National New Play Network (NNPN). Artists Rep’s 2019/20 season can be found here.
Portland, OR. The Oregon State University Foundation welcomed 19 individuals, families and businesses into the Milton Harris Society at the 2019 OSU President’s Dinner on November 6th. Named after the first donor to give $1 million dollars to OSU, the society honors donors who have contributed at this level or above. OSU President Ed Ray was among the donors welcomed into the Harris Society for his personal philanthropy to the university. Leslie & Jay Culbertson ’72 were among the over 20 honored. In the photo above, they posed with President of Oregon State University Edward John Ray (Jay and Leslie Culbertson at center) and OSU Foundation President & CEO Mike Goodwin. (Photo credit, AJ Meeker)
Andrea Pastega Vloon and Angela Snow at the benefit which was held at The Nines.
Mark and Laurie Reser
Susan Casey, Marcia Randall, and Coach Pat Casey
Mike Rich and Alex Gary
OSU President Ray and OSU Foundation President & CEO Mike Goodwin were joined by student emcees Alessandra Ferriso and Srimanyu Ganapathineedi, as well as several other student speakers, in expressing their gratitude and celebrating the impact of donors on the university community, Oregon and beyond.
New Harris Society Members:
Andrejs (Andre) J. Auskaps ‘74
Blount International
Bettyjo D. Bruner ’75 & Betty Bruner
Jane C. & Chun Chiu ’70
Barbara Brown Coles ’70 & David G. Coles ’70
Marion R. & William E. Collins
John C. Compton ’53 & Betty Kindsfather Compton ’52
Seth S. Crawford ’03, ’05 MPP & Eric B. Crawford ’07
Leslie & Jay Culbertson ’72
Marilyn Barry Duncan ’64 & Douglas J. Duncan ’78
Eldon H. Graham ’60
Deborah Zerba Hallander ’73 & Douglas C. Hallander ’71
Bruce E. Hofer ’70
William ’69 & Mary Jabs
Jimmy Powell ’69
Beth & Edward J. Ray
Cheryl Castle Rogers
Captain Guy S. Thompson
Jana & Doug Tindall ’78
Here’s a look the OSU “The New Horizon” Video:
From OSU: Themes of risk and reward, courage and hope, vision and generosity shone throughout the 2019 OSU President’s Dinner. It is thanks to our generous donors that students, faculty, and the OSU community are empowered to seek out new horizons and improve the quality of life for all through education, service and discovery. As President Ray said during the program, “Beaver Nation is resilient, creative and remarkably successful, and our momentum as a university and as a community is absolutely unstoppable. I know the best is yet to come for Oregon State University, our graduates and all those we serve.”
Portland, OR. Nearly 700 people attended the St. Mary’s Academy 26th Annual “Food for Thought” luncheon. Organizers surpassed their fundraising goal of $500,000 which will support tuition assistance. The event on November 7th was held at the downtown Portland Hilton and attendees included Kelley Morrison Ogle ’94, Margueritte Vu Kim ’94, Rita Serralta-Poox ’20, Barre3 co-founder Sadie Lincoln, Jessica Hickox Meyer ’94 and Karis Stoudamire-Phillips ’94. Vice President of Development, 1986 graduate Emily Niedermeyer Becker, thanked donors. “We are so proud to announce we exceeded our goal of $500,000. This event has remained of the utmost importance to SMA each year, as every dollar raised allows us to continue providing exceptional education to young girls who deserve it.” The Food for Thought luncheon is the school’s largest fundraiser in support of tuition assistance. For the 2019-2020 school year, 42% of St. Mary’s Academy families were awarded over $2 million in tuition assistance.
Sam Romanaggi, Kathleen Dooney Niedermeyer ’83, Dr. Don Romanaggi
Gene Kim and Margueritte Vu Kim ’94
The luncheon was organized by graduates of SMA’s 1994 class, including Karis-Stoudamire Phillips, Joan Chaney, Margueritte Vu Kim, Jessica Hickox Meyer, Kelley Morrison Ogle, and Dr. Nundhini Thukkani. Sadie Lincoln, the keynote speaker and co-founder of Barre3, shared her message about wellness and finding confidence. She weighed in on her own personal struggles with self-confidence at a young age. Lincoln credits Barre3 with allowing herself to spread the message of internal resiliency to members across her studios, located locally and worldwide. “We can have a practice of being empowered from within, being confident, and standing up for ourselves,” she explained.
Another guest speaker was St. Mary’s senior and financial award recipient, Rita Serralta-Poox. She thanked her parents for their sacrifices immigrating to the U.S. in hopes of a brighter future for their family. She also thanked St. Mary’s for an array of opportunities during her four years, and allowing her to become her true self through its community, “St. Mary’s has taught me how to use my voice and I will never forget that. After high school, I plan to study law to become an immigration lawyer,” she stated during her speech.
Mary Mathews Stevens ’80, Virginia Mathews, Marilyn Whitaker and Molly Mathews Bjorklund ’85
(Clockwise from back left) Kellie Chauncey-Lance ’87, Tifani Jones Parrilli ’82, Melissa Abraham Hartnell ’87, Holly Abraham Safranski ’92, Alyx Abraham, Sara Parker, Melinda Lee
For the second year in a row, St. Mary’s Academy produced and debuted a video at the event. It focused on St. Mary’s wellness programs including athletics. In the video, current students and alumnae shared personal experiences and stories of how St. Mary’s empowered them both on and off the field.
A video about St. Mary’s Academy:
From St. Mary’s Academy:
St. Mary’s Academy, sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary since 1859, is a Catholic high school for young women, providing a challenging college-preparatory education in a vibrant learning environment. Guided by the values and charism of the Sisters, St. Mary’s fosters a diverse community, educates the whole person by nurturing spirituality, encouraging creativity, promoting justice, and inspiring a sense of global interdependence to prepare students for service and leadership. For more information, here’s a link to the SMA website: St. Mary’s Academy.
Portland, OR. U.S. Bank recently gifted Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest a $50,000 Community Possible grant to help expand its Eureka! program. The grant is part of U.S. Bank’s new annual $1 million fund focused on organizations driving economic development across the country in the areas of workforce preparation, affordable housing, and arts and culture.
“Eureka! is a five-year STEM program that motivates girls to pursue post-secondary education and careers in STEM fields,” said Elizabeth Nye, executive director of Girls Inc., of the Pacific NW. “Our goal is to promote greater representation of all women in STEM fields and to increase the potential for women to access higher-paying and more secure employment. Eureka! girls graduate with the knowledge, skills and confidence to enter higher education and see themselves as an important part of the workforce of the future. We’re excited that U.S. Bank has joined us in building a more equitable future for girls in Oregon.”
Girls Inc. Pacific Northwest will use the funds to expand its Eureka! program focused on engaging girls in STEM-related fields. Through the new annual Market Impact Fund, U.S. Bank invests $50,000 grants to 20 nonprofit organizations across the country. The new Fund is in addition to U.S. Bank’s Community Possible giving platform focused on grant cycles in the areas of Work, Home and Play.
“Establishing this new Fund allows us to further focus our efforts on supporting those organizations such as Girls Inc., which are working to close historical economic gaps in the areas of greatest need,” said Stacey Dodson, Portland and Southwest Washington market president for U.S. Bank. “Our communities are stronger when people have jobs, stable housing and when their communities are connected through the arts, recreation and play. Our goal is to give larger grants to create meaningful local impact working with and through market leaders and nonprofit organizations who know their communities the best.”
At Girls Inc., girls participating in the Eureka program discover their ability to excel in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). Women earn just 18% of all computer science and engineering degrees in the U.S, even though these paths provide great earning potential and represent top jobs of the future. This investment from U.S. Bank helps ensures that girls in Portland are building the skills and gaining the confidence to pursue education and careers in STEM and thus ensuring girls have opportunities to be financially independent and exercise control over their futures.
About Girls Inc. Pacific Northwest: Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold through direct service and advocacy. Our comprehensive approach to whole girl development equips girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers and grow up healthy, educated, and independent. These positive outcomes are achieved through three core elements: people – trained staff and volunteers who build lasting, mentoring relationships; environment – girls-only, physically and emotionally safe, where there is a sisterhood of support, high expectations, and mutual respect; and programming – research-based, hands-on and minds-on, age-appropriate, meeting the needs of today’s girls. Join us at girlsincpnw.org.
About U.S. Bank: U.S. Bancorp, with 74,000 employees and $488 billion in assets as of September 30, 2019, is the parent company of U.S. Bank, the fifth-largest commercial bank in the United States. The Minneapolis-based bank blends its relationship teams, branches and ATM network with mobile and online tools that allow customers to bank how, when and where they prefer. U.S. Bank is committed to serving its millions of retail, business, wealth management, payment, commercial and corporate, and investment services customers across the country and around the world as a trusted financial partner, a commitment recognized by the Ethisphere Institute naming the bank a 2019 World’s Most Ethical Company. Visit U.S. Bank at usbank.com or follow on social media to stay up to date with company news.
Portland, OR. The fourth annual Tennis Ball to benefit Portland Tennis & Education (PT&E) was a “smashing” success. On November 2nd over 365 education advocates, philanthropists, business leaders, tennis players, and other supporters packed the Melody Event Center in Southeast Portland. They raised $250,000 which is a record for PT&E and will be earmarked for afterschool programs that feature academic support and tennis coaching for low-income students. (Photo credit, Matt Banner)
Scholar athlete Leilani shares the story of her 10 years in the PT&E program.
At the event, board members Susie Hunt Moran, Executive Director Jorge Fuenmayor and board member Harry Aldrich pose for a photo.
Guests gathered around tables decorated with vintage wooden tennis racquets for cocktails, dinner, and live and silent auctions and had the opportunity to hear from two longtime PT&E students who shared their stories and the impact the program has made in their lives.
From Portland Tennis & Education:
Portland Tennis & Education (PT&E) is dedicated to the academic success and lifelong health of Portland’s underserved youth and their families. PT&E students, known within the organization as scholar-athletes, participate in a year-round, tuition-free program that includes academic tutoring, project-based learning, fitness, outdoor education, science and music clubs, and tennis. Students enter the program as young as kindergarten and often stay until they graduate high school, meaning they receive consistent, ongoing support to help them succeed. Life skills are taught at every stage of the program, ranging from eye contact and a firm handshake to writing a resume and preparing for a job interview. 100% of PT&E Scholar Athletes have graduated high school on-time and continued on to college or professional careers.
Portland, OR. The 17th annual Jesuit High School Financial Aid Luncheon was held on campus in the Knight Center. A record-breaking crowd of over 625 guests included alumni, current parents, grandparents, and friends of the school. The October 16th luncheon raised $540,000, and since its launch in 2003 the annual event has raised over 6 million for student financial aid. Speakers included alumni parent Gladys Lalic, keynote speaker Tim Boyle who is the President and CEO of Columbia Sportswear and graduated from Jesuit in 1967, and Jesuit senior Yosan Tewelde. Each shared stories of their journey with guests. This academic year 27% (or 332 students) are receiving over 3 million dollars in financial aid. The school relies on fundraising events like the luncheon to reach its budgeted goal each year. (Photo credit, Bob Kerns)
Financial Aid Luncheon Chairs and JHS current parents Marni Goodman and Desiree Baldocchi celebrate a successful event.
Guests pack the Knight Center on Jesuit’s campus to support the Financial Aid program.
Student Emcees Danny Murphy ’20 and Ria Debnath ’20 entertain guests with stories about life as Jesuit students.
Guests enjoy visiting with student volunteer Eva Grunkemeier ’20 at the luncheon.
Jesuit President Tom Arndorfer and Principal Paul Hogan
Here’s a video about the event:
From Jesuit High School:
We are incredibly grateful for Tim and Mary Boyle’s tremendous commitment to the education of Jesuit students through their generous matching gift of all funds raised at the event! Special thanks to Financial Aid Luncheon Chairs Desiree Baldocchi and Marni Goodman, the Financial Aid Luncheon Committee, sponsors and volunteers who spent countless hours ensuring the success of this critical event. We are especially grateful for our additional matching gift sponsors The Bernice Heffernan Family Foundation with support of Pat & Tricia Heffernan and an Anonymous donor. Thanks to their commitment to Jesuit education, all new and increased gifts to the Financial Aid Luncheon were matched up to $20,000. We are humbled by their support and the support of our generous school community.
Portland, OR. Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) held its 2019 Alumni Reunion in Portland during the weekend of October 18th. Over 150 attendees, many of whom were blind or visually impaired, traveled to Portland with their guide dogs from across the U.S. and Canada. (Photo credit, Morry Angell, Guide Dogs for the Blind.)
GDB reunion attendees visit The Portland Art Museum for a special tactile art exhibit tour.
The first day of the reunion featured activities for attendees to experience Portland through the senses of taste, touch and sound. Activities included indoor rock climbing and a walking tour of downtown Portland. Each activity was chosen with blind and visually impaired visitors in mind to create a tactile experience.
GDB reunion attendees and guide dog teams experience the indoor rock climbing class.
Saturday featured various educational sessions for GDB alumni, as well as friends and family members. Some of these sessions included: a quality of life workshop hosted by the OHSU Casey Eye Institute, a discussion for sighted attendees on ways to support their blind or visually impaired friend or family member and a beginner’s guide to identifying North American bird songs.
GDB guide dog teams explore downtown Portland as part of a Walking and Tasting Tour.
The 2019 Alumni Reunion ended with a red carpet celebration and a screening of the IFC-produced documentary film Pick of the Litter, which follows a litter of GDB puppies on their journey to become trained guide dogs. The film was shown in anticipation of the upcoming Disney-produced documentary TV series of the same name, scheduled to air on the Disney+ platform starting on December 20th.
Here’s the trailer of that documentary:
From Guild Dogs for the Blind:
GDB has a Portland area campus in nearby Boring, Oregon. Various GDB events take place at the Boring campus throughout the year, as well as campus tours and graduations that are open to the public. Interested members of the public can find more information on the nonprofit’s Boring campus tours and graduations here.
Portland, OR. The Oregon Humane Society was granted $107,500 from PetSmart Charities on November 18th. This money is earmarked for the Oregon Humane Society’s Second Chance Program. The program was created to help other overflowing shelters move animals to communities with eager adopters for a second chance at a new life. Originally the Second Chance program helped dogs and puppies, but in 2019, the Oregon Humane Society opened a new Cat and Kitten Intake Center to accommodate large transports of cats and kittens. In Madera, California, they were struggling with a cat overpopulation for years. With this new Second Chance Program, more than 200 cats and kittens have been transported to OHS as a part of this grant.
This kitten was transported as part of the Second Chance Program. OHS plans on two trips per month from the Madera region through August 2020.
Deborah Turcott, acting president of PetSmart Charities, believes strong partnership is the key to success for this and other transport programs.“Pet transport is one of the strongest examples of how animal welfare organizations come together to solve for pet homelessness,” she explained. “And our funding to the Oregon Humane Society in this way brings our mission of finding loving homes for homeless pets come to life in communities across the country and in areas of great need.”
Cat Pictured From Oregon Humane Society’s Second Chance Program
OHS is the largest humane society in the Northwest and adopts more animals from its Portland shelter than any other single-facility shelter on the West Coast. OHS puts no time limits on how long animals remain at the shelter—a pet stays available for adoption for as long as needed to find a loving home. If a pet in the care of OHS needs medical attention, the OHS veterinary hospital provides the pet with the same level of care you would want your own pet to receive. Founded in 1868 by noted humanitarian Thomas Lamb Eliot, OHS is the fourth-oldest humane society in the nation. Eliot initially established OHS to stop the neglect and abuse of draft animals. The mission expanded to include companion animals and, until 1933, orphaned children.
More from PetSmart Charities:
PetSmart Charities, Inc. is committed to finding lifelong, loving homes for all pets by supporting programs and thought the leadership that brings people and pets together. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities helps to find forever homes and families for more than 600,000 shelter pets each year. Each year, millions of generous PetSmart shoppers help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting almost $400 million since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart Inc., PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator, a third-party organization that reports on the effectiveness, accountability and transparency of nonprofits, for the past 16 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of charities rated by this organization. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.
Portland, OR. Did you know that 43% of Oregonians volunteered in 2018? Many volunteered at Human Solutions to help ensure that homeless and low-income families can build pathways out of poverty. Oregon ranks third in the nation, behind Utah and Minnesota for the percentage of the population that volunteers. In city rankings, Portland ranks fifth of all cities with 44% of citizens volunteering. (The full list of rankings is included in this story, near the end. In last place: Florida.)
We’d like to tip our hats to those who give of their time for others! Thank you!
We’ve got some idea for volunteering this holiday season if you’d like to join the crew, there are hundreds of opportunities. Hands-on Greater Portland is a great place to start. You can sort by date, interest, location, etc.
We have a list of over 150 local nonprofit partners with live links on our Partners Page. All your favorites are there! Like Meals on Wheels. Here’s a video about their program:
You can check out organizations that offer special holiday volunteer opportunities by interest, like the following:
Portland Animal Welfare Portland Animal Welfare (PAW) hosts monthly clinics that offer free veterinary services to the homeless and impoverished. Medical, creative and logistical volunteers are always needed. Volunteers are always welcome at rescue shelter Animal Aid and the Oregon Humane Society.
Helping the Homeless Bridgetown Inc. helps Portland’s homeless population. You can volunteer at its weekly Night Strike event that brings food, clothing, haircuts, and supplies to people under the Burnside Bridge. There are also opportunities to help at Portland Homeless Family Solutions shelters and with local service-providing organization Outside In.
Oregon Food Bank Keeping the pantry stocked at the Oregon Food Bank is a big job that typically falls to volunteers. Sign up as an individual or as a group.
Friends of Trees Keep Portland and the surrounding area green with Friends of Trees, which is always looking for volunteers to plant trees in local soil.
Meals on Wheels People Volunteer to deliver hot meals to the homebound elderly for the holidays with Meals on Wheels People, which is looking for volunteers now. You can also use your car to give rides to the elderly or disabled with Ride Connection.
Helping a Home A home can be a meaningful thing – it can also be pretty costly. You can help by volunteering at the ReBuilding Center, a Portland organization that reclaims and recycles rebuilding and remodeling materials, selling them at a low cost. For the home decor side of things, there’s Community Warehouse, which provides basic household furnishings to Portland’s more vulnerable populations.
Here’s a list of the national volunteer statistics from the Corporation for National and Community Service:
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