IMAGINE Benefit Raises $460,000 for Northwest Association for Blind Athletes

IMAGINE Benefit Raises $460,000 for Northwest Association for Blind Athletes

Portland, OR. The Red Lion Jantzen Beach Hotel, was packed with over 600 supporters on February 23rd for the IMAGINE Dinner & Auction. The 10th annual event raised $460,000. IMAGINE is the theme because Northwest Association for Blind Athletes imagines life-changing opportunities through sports and physical activities for all children, youth, and adults who are blind or visually impaired. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)

Speakers included Billy Henry (Founder & Executive Director), Erik Selden (Board President), C.S. & Angela Sheffield (Presenting Sponsor), as well as many NWABA athletes, like Octavio, and his family, who shared their personal stories and experiences. The evening was co-hosted by Mark Matthias and Kim Capeloto, along with assistance from local NWABA Athletes, Jovany and Gabe.

Board President, Erik Selden, thanks the community for coming out to celebrate and support NWABA.

In front: Dr. Robin Virgin, Jim Virgin, Harrison Lynch, Billy Henry, Ashlyn Salzman, Carly Lowder, and Mason O’Lennick. In back: Kimberly Woodside, Jeff Woodside, Monica Gilberg, Jay Gilberg, and Marty Forsmann

A sea of supporters hold up bid cards high to win trips to Paris, Edinburgh, and Iceland!

Stacey Gibbins, Gabe, and Jovany. In back: Ella, Anita, Rick, Elwin, Logan, and Lillian.

Our Mission: To provide life-changing opportunities through sports and physical activity to individuals who are blind and visually impaired.

Our Vision: To be the national leader in transforming the quality of life for all individuals who are blind and visually impaired through participation in sports and physical activity.

JDRF Hope Gala Raises Over $500,000 to Fund Diabetes Research

JDRF Hope Gala Raises Over $500,000 to Fund Diabetes Research

Portland, Or. Over 425 guests attended the 23rd JDRF Hope Gala at the Sentinel Hotel on May 5th.  The event was Chaired by Larry & Suzanne Mackin and raised over $500,000 to fund diabetes research. Each year at the Hope Gala, the JDRF Oregon/SW Washington Chapter presents the “Living and Giving Award” to individuals or a company who are outstanding philanthropists, not only to JDRF, but to our community at large. This honor recognizes those who stand out as exemplary leaders and who have, for a long time, set the standard for  “giving back” in many ways.     Honorees receiving the 2018 Hope Gala Living & Giving Award were Jay & Renee Haladay. They took time for a photo with Judy Summers, Executive Director, JDRF Oregon/SW Washington Chapter and Gary Haines, Board President, JDRF Oregon/SW Washington Chapter.

2018 JDRF Hope Gala. Hope Gala Honoree, Jay Haladay; Gala Co-Chairs, Suzanne & Larry Mackin; Hope Gala Honoree, Renee Haladay

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 (T1D) diabetes research.   In the last twelve years, JDRF has funded over $6.7 million dollars in grants covering research taking place in Oregon.  

The Oregon/SW Washington Chapter provides support and resources to those newly diagnosed and their families as well as children and adults living with type 1 diabetes. These include Parent Coffee Groups, Children’s Art Group, T1D Adult Group, a TypeOne Nation Educational Summit, Connections Support Program, Adult and Teen Care Kits and the Bag of Hope Program for newly diagnosed children.

 

Project Lemonade’s first fundraising luncheon Benefits Kids

Project Lemonade’s first fundraising luncheon Benefits Kids

Portland, September 19th, 2014. Project Lemonade’s first fundraising luncheon brought 310 guests to the Multnomah Athletic Club and raised $70,000 to support its annual back-to-school shopping event for foster youth. Zahara, Anthony, AK, and Madison joined Project Lemonade founder Rhonda Meadows on stage to share the importance of back-to-school shopping for confidence and self-esteem. Project Lemonade is a 100% volunteer organization that provides free new and nearly new clothing, shoes and accessories to local foster youth. In the past three years, Project Lemonade has served over 5,000 youth age 5-20. (Photo credit, Gail Andersen)

Cynthia Fraser, Board member; Jen Andres, Board member; Vanessa Diffenbaugh, Author and keynote speaker; Tricia Smith, Board member; Kirsten Brady, Board President.

Cynthia Fraser, Board member; Jen Andres, Board member; Vanessa Diffenbaugh, Author and keynote speaker; Tricia Smith, Board member; Kirsten Brady, Board President.

To a foster child who never gets them receiving these simple items can be the difference in fitting in at school and performing well.  Project Lemonade raised $70,000 to provide these items to area foster youth.

A foster child who receives these simple items has a better chance of fitting in at school and performing well. 

Project Lemonade, a non-profit 501(c)(3) was founded three years ago by Rhonda Meadows, a former foster parent to a young boy named Alan who came to her with a single paper sack containing all of his clothing, much of which was old and ill fitting.

Project Lemonade, a non-profit 501(c)(3) was founded three years ago by Rhonda Meadows, a former foster parent to a young boy named Alan who came to her with a single paper sack containing all of his clothing, much of which was old and ill fitting.

To meet the needs of youth like Alan, Project Lemonade operates a back-to-school shopping event during the month of August where foster youth can shop for free. These clothing basics are unattainable for most foster youth. Project Lemonade is bringing these items to these deserving kids through donations from area retailers and contributions from the community.

Wizard of Oz Theme Highlights JDRF’s Fight Against Diabetes

Wizard of Oz Theme Highlights JDRF’s Fight Against Diabetes

Portland, May 3rd, 2014.  JDRF Oregon/SW Washington Chapter’s 19th Annual Hope Gala was held at the Sentinel Hotel. Over 400 guests attended the silent, wine and live auctions raising over $430,000. This year’s theme “There’s No Place Like Type None,” played on the Wizard of Oz and JDRF’s vision of working to turn type one (diabetes) into type none. Christine Snow and Toby Hayes of Hayes + Associates were honored. The event celebrated the outstanding type one diabetes research funded by JDRF in Oregon since 2001, totaling over $4.8 million dollars.

Jana Quinlan,  Board President

Jana Quinlan, Board President

Suzanne and Larry Mackin  Gala Co-chairs with Ali Mackin Crandall

Suzanne and Larry Mackin Gala Co-chairs with Ali Mackin Crandall

Larry and Suzanne Mackin were honored with the Hope Award for their many years of commitment to the Oregon/SW Washington Chapter and for ten years of service as Gala Co-Chairs. Pictured with Suzanne & Larry Mackin is their youngest daughter, Ali Mackin Crandall, who helped to present the Hope Award along with Jana Quinlan, Chapter Board President. Ali has been living with type one diabetes for over fifteen years and she is the reason that the Mackins have been such dedicated and generous supporters of JDRF.

From JDRF:

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. JDRF’s goal is to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence, and a working plan to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure T1D.

As the largest charitable supporter of T1D research, JDRF is currently sponsoring $568 million in scientific research in 17 countries. In 2012 alone, JDRF provided more than $110 million to T1D research.

Lake Oswego Lobster Feed & Charity Auction Boosts Local Agencies

Lake Oswego Lobster Feed & Charity Auction Boosts Local Agencies

Lake Oswego, October 21st, 2013. Lake Oswego Rotary presented a check of $84,940 from the 2013 Lobster Feed & Charity Auction to Lakewood board president Michelle Dorman. Pictured are: Malcolm Mathes (Lake Oswego Rotary, President), Michelle Dorman
(Lakewood Center for the Arts, Board President), Charles Collins (Lake Oswego Rotary member) This donation continues a partnership between the two organizations that began in 1980. The Lobster Feed benefit drew 600 people and was sold out (this year reciepents also included: Oswego Heritage Council, Lake Oswego Meals Network, Happy Trails Riding Center, Mobility Impaired Golf Association and Sponsor Iraqi Children Foundation.)

Lakewood Center for the Arts is the largest arts provider in Clackamas County and this fundraiser represents about 33% of the dollars raised annually to support our performing and visual arts programming. (photo credit, Andrew Edwards)