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 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. Diverse communities came together for Q Center’s annual SHINE brunch on November 3rd at the Portland Marriott Downtown. The Q Center’s mission is to provide a space for togetherness, progress, and support people within the LGBTQ+ community. The annual SHINE brunch is meant to honor those who help the organization grow. There were 500 supporters in attendance and over $130,000 was raised. Pictured above, enjoying the photo booth, are state representatives Alissa Keny Guyer, Jennifer Williamson, and Margaret Doherty. (Photo credit, Marty Davis and Smirk Photobooth)
Bridges Voices Choir
Executive Director, Cameron Whitten
The Q Center’s values include bringing more safety, resilience, anti-oppression, learning, empowerment, inclusion and transparency into the world. The main purpose of the Q Center is to build community and host support and activity groups that are peer-led. Some examples of different types of groups include sexual orientation programs, gender identity programs, addiction & mental health support, help for veterans and more.
Board Treasurer, Erin Waters
Bill Dickey and John Salazar
From the Q Center:
Our Mission is to provide safe spaces, community building and empowerment for the positive transformation of LGBTQ2SIA+ communities and allies in the Pacific Northwest. As the largest LGBTQ+ community center in the Pacific Northwest, Q Center proudly serves the LGBTQ2SIA+ communities of Portland Metro and Southwest Washington. Our drop-in and event space on North Mississippi Avenue is a frequent first stop for new arrivals in Portland, and for longtime residents who are newly out or questioning their sexual or gender identity. Q Center also serves as an information hub for friends, partners, community, and family members of LGBTQ2SIA+ individuals. We pride ourselves on our collaborative approach and seek out ways to share resources with other nonprofits and public institutions locally and statewide.
Portland, OR. Nearly 370 community members gathered to raise funds for Albertina Kerr during the 24 Hours of Kerr Country themed Gala. The 24 hours including a gala on September 15th, followed by a sold-out golf benefit at Columbia Edgewater Golf Course. David Wilson, Richard Codanti, and Bella Casa helped with a record-breaking fundraiser which brought in more than $500,000 for Kerr’s programs and services that support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and mental health challenges. (Country Gala photos by Andie Petkus, Golf Tournament photos by Dalton Davis)
During Kerr’s Country Gala, guests gave generously to the special appeal to support Kerr’s Behavior Specialists
Kerr Foundation Chair Miki Herman, Former Kerr Board Member Diane Gerard, and Carole Warneke from Pacific West Bank
The golf event included a helicopter ball drop where supporters paid to have a ball with their name on it dropped from a helicopter and the closest to the pin won.
T.J. McConville, from Becker Capital Management, was the winner of the Helicopter Golf Ball Drop. (Oregon Helicopters)
The winners of the 24 Hours of Kerr Golf Tournment, Jeff Gladheim (Left) and Matt Kline (Right) from Swagelok NW celebrate with Kerr CEO, Jeff Carr (center) and will advance to the Mercedes-Benz Amateur National Tournament, all expenses paid.
From Albertina Kerr:
Albertina Kerr empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other social barriers to reach their full potential. They want all people to thrive in a nurturing and inclusive community. Albertina Kerr has served the community for over 110 years by helping over 53% of the youth in IDD group homes in Oregon, operating the only standalone subacute children’s crisis psychiatric facility in Oregon, providing leadership in statewide policy discussions related to disability and mental health care, and more. Over the years, Albertina Kerr has expanded exponentially going from offering young children safe homes and treatment and creating community-based homes, to expanding their programs to fit the needs of children and adults alike. In more recent years, Albertina Kerr is committed to challenging norms about how to care for children and adults with mental health and developmental needs. Albertina Kerr will continue its efforts to provide top-notch programs and services for people to flourish in their day to day lives.
There’s a video about Albertina Kerr:
More about the history of Albertina Kerr:
For more than 100 years, Albertina Kerr has been caring for Oregon’s most vulnerable citizens. Over the decades, our services have evolved to meet the community’s needs. While these needs have changed, the values of our expert caregivers remain constant: compassion, commitment, collaboration, and advocacy. Today, Kerr empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), mental health challenges, and other social barriers to lead self-determined lives and reach their full potential. We provide comprehensive crisis and preventative mental health care for children and teens, as well as a full range of services for children and adults with IDD.
Portland, Or. Holt International held its Dinner & Auction at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Portland on October 1st. More than 150 people attended the event, raising over $80,000 for the organization. Guests enjoyed a champagne reception, live auction, and dessert dash. Leonard Bernhardt and Susan Cox supported the event which included an appeal from Mike Dennehy, father of 13 including ten adopted children with special needs. Founded in 1956 as an international adoption agency, Holt International has expanded its care for orphaned and vulnerable children as well as family strengthening services including education, safe housing, nourishing food, community advocacy, and job skills training that help empower parents with the tools and resources they need to independently care for their children. (Photo credit, by Brian Campbell)
Glenda Gordon, Leonard Bernhardt, Debbie Francis.
Holt International strives to keep families together in times of poverty, war, illness, political instability, and more. Through donations and sponsors, Holt is able to provide programs such as education, job skills training, safe housing, hygiene, medical care, etc. These programs give families the empowerment and support to become self-sufficient. Holt also provides the highest level of care for children who have been orphaned, abandoned, or separated from their families. They have experts available that provide medical, nutritional, educational, and psychosocial services that are tailored to fit every child’s individual needs. In 2018 alone, Holt has helped over 255,024 children to thrive in the care of their families, gave life-changing care to 13,981 orphans and children without families, and helped over 602 children join families through adoption.
Here is an adoption story from Holt International:
More about Holt International:
Holt International seeks a world where every child has a loving and secure home. Since Holt’s founding in 1956, the organization has worked towards its vision through programs that strengthen and preserve families that are at risk of separation; by providing critical care and support to orphaned and vulnerable children; and by leading the global community in finding families for children who need them and providing the pre-and post-adoption support and resources they need to thrive. Always, Holt focuses on each child’s unique needs —keeping the child’s best interest at the forefront of every decision. For more information visit www.holtinternational.org
Portland, OR. Ride Connection leaders were all smiles as they held the check for $6,500 from the Portland Picnic Wine Tasting Festival. Over 5,000 people attended the festival in July and enjoyed wine tasting, local food vendors, live music and family-friendly activities. Ride Connection provides free transportation options to older adults and people with disabilities in the Portland metro area. Ride Connection Board Chair, Park Woodworth, Ride Connection CEO, Julie Wilcke Pilmer posed for a photo with the Portland Picnic organizers, Emily and Travis Motter.
Ride Connection’s Chief Executive Officer, Julie Wilcke Pilmer explained, “Being the benefiting nonprofit of the Portland Picnic has helped the organization share our mission to a wider audience. Transportation is the connection to the resources and services an individual needs to remain independent and healthy. With the support of the Portland Picnic, we were able to share the importance of our mission at the event on July 13th, and the funds raised will help us continue to provide transportation to those in need in our region.”
Portland Picnic Wine Tasting Festival took place in Westmoreland Park.
The event features activities including face painting, a visit from Rojo the Llama, and a live music puppet demonstrations from the Olde World Puppet Theatre.
Ride Connection offers transportation to people with disabilities throughout Washington, Clackamas, and Multnomah counties. Just within the last year, Ride Connection has provided nearly 500,000 rides and supported over 2,000 individuals with access to public transportation within the last year. Leaders prioritize creating a culture that includes values such as appreciating customers and staff, maintaining collaborative relationships with Service Partners, delivering safe, personalized transportation options, and assure honest, reliable and accountable business relationships and practices.
100 wines from all over the world were featured at the Portland Picnic.
Ride Connection shares its mission with the guests.
Last year, Ride Connection celebrated 30 years servicing the Portland Metro area. Here’s a video about the program:
More about Ride Connection:
Today and every day, Ride Connection provides transportation options to individuals in need. From older adults to people with disabilities to low-income individuals and underserved communities, we are able to provide essential transportation services thanks to the work and support of our staff, volunteers, partners donors, and advocates. Our services bring together friends and family, prevent social isolation, alleviate financial stress and create new connections that strengthen our community. Ride Connection remains committed to providing inclusive transportation options for all individuals in need in the tri-county area.
Portland, OR. A special celebration dinner and auction held at the Portland Hilton raised over $757,000 for the Maurice Lucas Foundation. The funds will support the foundation’s after-school programs for under-served students at Harriet Tubman Middle School and six high schools throughout the Portland area. A tradition at the gala is presenting the Maurice Lucas Enforcer Award. The recipient this year was the late Howard Hedinger, a philanthropist and friend of Maurice Lucas. His family members were on hand to accept the award. The award presentation photo included Bobby Gross, Bill Walton, Lionel Hollins, Zach Collins, Huston Hedinger, David Lucas, Barkley Hedinger and Hillary Hedinger. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)
Foundation Academy students ranging from Sixth Grade through college had a chance to have their photo taken with Executive Director David Lucas and High School Program Manager Karen Barker. (Photo by Naim Hasan)
David Lucas with his daughter, Nahla Lucas; mother Pam Lucas; his nephew, Lucas Tiefenthaler; and his brother, Maurice Lucas II. Photo by Andie Petkus.
The gala included over 600 attendees who participated in activities like a paddle raise, silent auction and live auction to raise record-breaking numbers for the Maurice Lucas Foundation. Maurice Lucas was the leading scorer on the 1977 NBA champion Portland Trail Blazers, and an advocate for young people. Following in his father’s footsteps, David Lucas continues to to be involved with the organization in his father’s memory.
The dinner also included students who have benefited from the foundation’s programs. “Our students are hungry for the future, and they stand on the shoulders of so many of you in the room tonight to be able to pursue their dreams,” said David.
Terry Stotts helps auctioneer Brett Richards raise funds at the Maurice Lucas Foundation gala. Photo by Andie Petkus.
Joe Wiser from title sponsor Whittier Trust tells the gala attendees about his long relationship with the Lucas family. Photo by Andie Petkus.
Following in his father’s footsteps, David Lucas served as the gala’s master of ceremonies. Photo by Andie Petkus.
Our mission: Teaching life lessons through education and sport.
Maurice cared immensely for the Portland community. He sought to empower youth by creating opportunity, especially where little existed. He was devoted to helping kids learn, achieve, and grow through sport, helping them build positive values. The Maurice Lucas Foundation is carrying on Maurice’s work by creating these opportunities for inner-city middle school students by providing a combination of education and activity-based after-school programs. Through positive interactions with program coaches, team members, and community role models, we help youth develop their cognitive, emotional, intellectual and social skills in a fun environment. Our youth programs develop personal and life skills, positive adult and peer relationships, and create a supportive environment of learning, mastery, teamwork, and autonomy.
Portland, OR. The 6th annual Together for Good Gala supported Nursingale’s mission of providing in-home, skilled nursing care to families with medically fragile children. Emcee, KGW’s Art Edwards interviewed family members of a Nursingale client named Annie, including her younger siblings Daphne and Isaac, and their mom Katie. The August 17th benefit was held at the downtown Hilton, with 225 people in attendance. Nursingale raised over $122,000 which will help medically fragile children and young adults receive in-home, family-centered care with an emphasis on keeping families together. Guests at the gala enjoyed a wine reception, silent and live auctions, appeal, dessert dash and dancing to Patrick Lamb and his band. (Photo credit, Andrea Lomas)
Kristy Blizzard, Patti Sadowski, Nursingale’s Executive Director, and Doug Blizzard share a moment visiting about their daughter Stephanie who was featured in the evening’s video presentation.
People line up to enjoy the selection of dessert dash treats.
Patti Sadowski, Nursingale’s executive director, congratulates nurse Mae Jordan, on winning the raffle prize of a weekend in Friday Harbor.
Nursingale is the only non-profit provider of home-based skilled nursing care for medically fragile children and young adults in Oregon. Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses are under the direct written orders of the client’s physician. Nursingale coordinates with families to be the leaders of the care team.
Here is a video with more information about why nurses may enjoy a career with the Nursingale program:
From Nursingale:
Co-Founding Board Chair, Chris Thomas’s son Eric had been receiving nursing care at home for more than 20 years. During that time they had worked with many different home-nursing agencies, some of which had closed. In 2005, frustrated, because she wanted her son cared for not only the right way, but for the right reasons, she and her family decided to support the formation of the only non-profit organization in Oregon providing in-home nursing care to medically fragile children. Today Nursingale continues to thrive, making it possible for children to remain with their families, go to school and participate in their communities. The success of Nursingale can be attributed to our employees’ knowledge, skill, and commitment to providing outstanding client care. With the never-ending dedication and support from our nursing staff, we have created an organization committed to providing service we can all be proud of.
Portland, OR. SEMpdx held its annual Rooftop Party in Portland’s Pearl District at the On Deck Sports Bar & Grill. It’s the eleventh year for the networking event. The SEMpdx Board of Directors took time for a photo. Leaders include: Ryan Campbell, Scott Hendison, Kevin Getch, Anna Madill (back row) Tony Svoboda, Trish Carey, Garrett Browne, Robert Frost, Todd Mintz, Sarah Hinds, and Ashley Kennedy. Every year, the nonprofit Search Engine Marketing Organization selects a charity to support and this year, it’s Girls Inc., an organization encouraging girls to be “strong, smart, and bold.” The benefits of becoming a SEMpdx Charity of Choice include: recognition at events, pro-bono digital marketing services, and up to a $5,000 donation.
During the Rooftop Party on August 1st, members try their hand at the giant Connect 4 game.
One of the founders of SEMpdx, Kent Lewis, talks with members. Lewis is also the President of Anvil Media.
SEMpdx was founded in 2006, because we felt that there was a lot of veteran talent here in PDX, but we weren’t really recognized for it because we were all so busy working that we weren’t self-promoting. We also knew that the business community in Portland was coming around to SEM, but didn’t really know about the level of talent here in PDX. This led to our rather simple mission “put search on the map in Portland, and Portland on the map in search”. In other words – to get PDX recognized in the national SEM community, and raise awareness for search marketing in PDX. We got the group together when Scott Orth & Blu Drobushevich approached me (Kent Lewis) after SMX Seattle in 2006 and suggested we create our own industry association in Portland. Initially, I (Ben Lloyd) was hesitant, and wasn’t sure we had critical mass in the area. That said, after a brief debate, we agreed to run it by folks we knew and trusted in the industry. A month or two later, we scheduled a meeting with a dozen or so local SEM professionals. Everyone at that meeting was on board (literally, everyone become an initial board member). I sold the initial sponsorship (Site9) that gave us the funding and moved SearchFest from IPN (Stan Davis & I created the initial events in 2005) to SEMpdx and we were on our way. Ben Lloyd helped us incorporate through his father’s firm and we started formalizing articles, bylaws, processes, mission, vision, and so on. Scott Hendison worked on the blog and website, Tracy Chapman started organizing, and Todd Mintz started blogging. The rest is history! There was a great deal of hard work & details by the board, which was critical and appreciated. The group then started putting on monthly educational events.
North Plains, OR. Helping kids was the driver for the 220 golfers at the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette YLinks tournament at Pumpkin Ridge. The tournament on August 19th raised over $85,000 to fund scholarships to help low-income youth participate in programs like early childhood development, before and after school enrichment, camping and youth sports. (Photo credit, Scott Ripley and Lester Tsai)
Bob Hall, President, and CEO at the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette; Pee Wee Harrison, Motivational Speaker; Troy Weller, President of Precision Construction Company; and Neil Fernando, Board of Trustees got the ball rolling.
Pee Wee Harrison, a national motivational speaker and a past performer with Meadowlark Lemon’s Harlem All-Star Team. He inspired the crowd of Y supporters before a paddle raise. Scholarships help remove economic barriers so families may access Y programs that build spirit, mind and body.
Golfers have a lot to celebrate, including picture-perfect weather.
Y Links golfers perfecting their form.
The YLinks Business Leaders Golf for Good Tournament was presented by Precision Construction Company.
Here’s a list of the winners:
WITCH HOLLOW WINNERS
First Place—Emerio Design 1 with 61 points
Second Place—Craig Stein Beverage with 62 points
Longest Drive Men—Geoffrey Wunn
Longest Drive Women—Stephanie Sander
KP Closest to the Pin Men—Tandy Gardner
GHOST CREEK WINNERS
First Place—SOLUS, INC 1 with 55 points
Second Place—Mannahouse with 56 points
Longest Drive Men—John DeLaittre
Longest Drive Women—Marti Loeb
KP Closest to the Pin Men—Jon Grierson
KP Closest to the Pin Women—Shelby Kerr
First Place Women—WFG 1 with 65 points
Chipping Contest—Joey Lakoske
Putting Contest—Toni Altamirano
GOLF TOURNAMENT PHOTOS
Photos from the tournament can be downloaded at these links:
In 2018, we provided opportunities for almost 60,000 people to experience personal growth, strengthen relationships and build better communities. As we continue to grow, we become more than just a gym—we teach life-saving skills in the water, good sportsmanship on and off the field and ensure a brighter future for all. We provided more than 29,600 Health and Wellness memberships, taught more than 13,800 kids new skills in Youth Sports and gave more than $1.6 Million in Financial Assistance to the community. We saw more than 13,900 kids and teens participate in Day and Overnight Camps, almost 2,000 infants, toddlers, and preschoolers learn in early education and more than 2,200 kids improve their academic skills in our Before and After School programs. In 2018, almost 60.000 participants were involved in YMCA programs, which were provided by 1,963 volunteers. Last year, more than 13,789 kids participated in our youth sports leagues, 1,948 children were served in our early childhood programs and more than 5,000 kids attended Camp Collins. In addition, members and participants at our Y health, wellness, and sports facilities visited those locations more than 575,000 times and 2,397 kids participated in our school enrichment programs. In 2018, we celebrated 150 years of service and will continue to grow and to reach new communities in 2019 and beyond.
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