Portland, OR. A message from Editor, Elisa Klein. Portland Society Page is marking its tenth-anniversary publishing nonprofit news for free! 2,217 articles later, we’re still going strong with thousands of weekly readers. We’ve also launched society page websites in Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. One of the particularly gratifying roles I’ve enjoyed over the past year is mentoring dozens of interns from up and down the west coast. It has enabled me to share my enthusiasm for journalism with students from UCLA, Berkeley, U of O, University of Washington, and many more universities. Also, a huge thanks to my husband, Steven Klein who has been an enthusiastic supporter and terrific proofreader for the past ten years!
Elisa Klein, Editor
The indomitable Betty White who lived to be 99-years-old said, “It’s your outlook on life that counts. If you take yourself lightly and don’t take yourself too seriously, pretty soon you can find the humor in our everyday lives. And sometimes it can be a lifesaver.”
Your interest in the nonprofit community offers hope. Together, let’s look forward to a better and brighter 2022!
Thank you,
Editor and Publisher, Elisa Klein
2021 UPDATE: For a second year, necessary Covid-19 restrictions meant that many volunteers had to stay away from the charities they love. Supporters who usually flock to galas were often social distancing, some organizations moved forward with caution by holding hybrid events. Some sectors, like human services, have seen a surge of donations, while arts organizations have struggled mightily without the benefit of ticket sales.
The generosity of our community remains constant. Donations brought hope to thousands of our friends and neighbors. The thankful include the elderly living alone receiving hot meals, children with learning differences finding support through zoom, brilliant performance artists feeding their families with grant money, and bone-tired frontline workers using donated personal protective equipment.
Now, we’ll share the stories you read most this year in reverse order.
TOP TEN PORTLAND SOCIETY PAGE STORIES 2020
10. Portland knifemaker Alex Horn created commemorative knives from the rubble of the Twin Towers.
So there you have it, the most-read stories of 2021 on Portland Society Page! We look forward to providing our coverage of local nonprofit news in 2022. Upward on onward!
Portland, OR. The 2021 Christmas Ships Parade season is upon us. It will launch on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers for 15 nights, beginning on Friday, December 3rd through Tuesday, December 21st. There are six nights when the ships have a combined fleet (all boats in one location). The privately-owned vessels come from Portland, Vancouver, McMinnville, Salem, and Hood River areas. Some of the ship owners have been part of the Christmas tradition for more than 30 years.
The boats range from 14 to 65 feet long and are brightly decorated for the holiday season. Up to 60-holiday boats are expected to make up the two fleets this year.
The Christmas Ship Parade started in 1954 with one lone sailboat from Portland Yacht Club. Bows of green with some ribbon were tied along the rails and they paraded on the rivers. The next year the parade started to grow and has become a beloved Portland area tradition.
Here’s a video about the Christmas ships parade from several years ago:
From The Christmas Ship Parade Organizers:
We are fully funded by the generous financial contributions of many waterfront businesses as well as individuals. If you enjoy seeing us out on the water, please consider supporting us by donating here: Make a donation.
The Christmas Ship Parade started in 1954 with one lone sailboat from Portland Yacht Club. Bows of green with some ribbon were tied along the rails and they paraded on the rivers
Many restaurants and hotels along the Columbia and Willamette rivers are already taking reservations with nights already booked for some evenings.
Each skipper is responsible for their own expenses, including fuel and insurance for their vessels over the two weeks. This can run into the hundreds of dollars, which in itself is a testament to the dedication and enthusiasm the Christmas Ship skippers bring to the organization and the community. The organization accepts donations to help cover the cost of maintaining, managing, and promoting the organization, but none of these donations go to the skippers, their crews, or their boats. Christmas Ships, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization, with no paid staff or officers, just a large group of friendly individual volunteers/skippers who give back to the community they love.
Portland, OR. A message from editor, Elisa Klein. First, thank you for caring about our local nonprofits! At Portland Society Page, our coverage is often of exciting events held to raise money for worthy causes. We also spotlight inspiring volunteers who are the lifeblood of many local charities. Necessary Covid-19 restrictions meant that most volunteers had to stay away from the charities they love. Supporters who usually flock to galas were social distancing in 2020 and lamenting the fact that large gatherings had to be prohibited. All the while, nonprofit professionals put forth Herculean efforts to keep their organizations afloat, many from their home offices. Some sectors, like human services, have seen a surge of donations, while arts organizations have struggled mightily without the benefit of ticket sales.
Yet through these exceptional times, the generosity of our community remains constant. Nonprofits promoting social justice have seen renewed interest. Donations have brought hope to thousands of our friends and neighbors. The thankful include the elderly living alone receiving hot meals, children with learning differences finding support through zoom, brilliant performance artists feeding their families with grant money, and bone-tired frontline workers using donated personal protective equipment.
2020 zoom photo, Elisa Klein
Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope.” Your interest in the nonprofit community offers hope. Together, let’s look forward to a better and brighter 2021!
Thank you, Elisa Klein
Now, we’ll share the stories you read most this year in reverse order.
So there you have it, the most-read stories of 2020 on Portland Society Page! We look forward to providing our coverage of local nonprofit news in 2021. Upward on onward!
Portland, OR. The Christmas Ships will be parading for fifteen nights this holiday season, December 4th through December 22nd (with just a couple of nights off). Organizers say, “We’re excited to continue the parade this year and offer some form of normalcy in such an abnormal time. Our lighted boat parade is an event that people can enjoy and view safely this holiday season. Even if you just catch a glimpse of us on the water while driving, we hope we brighten your evening.”
The boats, 14 to 65 feet long, are brightly decorated for the holiday season. Up to 60-holiday boats are expected to make up the two fleets.
The privately-owned vessels come from Portland, Vancouver, McMinnville, Salem and Hood River areas. Some of the ship’s owners have been part of the Christmas tradition for more than 30 years.
Christmas Shipowners are getting ready to set sail for their 66th year as residents make plans to watch the colorful flotillas during the parade’s 2020 holiday season.
Organizers remind spectators to stay six feet apart, wear masks, and follow all other protocols to stay safe from the spread of COVID-19. “We are scheduled to parade 15 nights and there are many places along the parade routes to watch without crowding. Check our schedule and plan ahead. We want you to enjoy our parade in the best of health and well-being!”
The nonprofit is also looking for donations. The primary funding source is the waterfront business community. Many of these businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic and are not able to donate this year. Donations help to defray the cost of administering, maintaining and promoting the non-profit. Christmas Ships, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization. Here’s a link to the donate page: https://www.christmasships.org/make-a-donation
Below is the schedule for the Willamette Fleet:
(There are four nights where the ships don’t sail, so check the Columbia and Willamette River schedules. Due to COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings, there will be no “Meet & Greet” gatherings with the fleet.)
Route Details 7:00PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) assemble heading upriver in front of Salty’s Restaurant, 38th/NE Marine Drive and turns at NE 42nd St[…]
Route Details 6:00 PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) assembles in front of Port of Camas/Washougal and parades in the area for about an hour. The fleet[…]
Route Details 7:00PM – The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of Riverplace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The fleet will make their way upriver, past the Old Spaghetti Factory,[…]
Route Details 7:00PM – The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. At the boat[…]
Route Details 7:00PM – The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of Riverplace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The fleet will make their way upriver, past the Old Spaghetti Factory,[…]
Route Details 7:00PM – The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. At the boat[…]
Route Details 6:00PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) assembles at the St. Helens City Docks and heads downriver to Columbia City, and weather/river[…]
Route Details 4:30PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) meets in the afternoon at Coon Island and leave for Scappoose arriving approximately 5:00PM then[…]
Route Details 7:00PM – The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. At the boat[…]
Route Details 7:00PM – The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of Riverplace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The fleet will make their way upriver, past the Old Spaghetti Factory,[…]
Route Details 7:00PM – The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. At the boat[…]
Route Details 4:30PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) will leave RiverPlace Marina headed to Lake Oswego, arriving about 6:00PM, subject to weather and[…]
Route Details 7:00PM – The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. At the boat[…]
Route Details 7:00PM – The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of Riverplace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The fleet will make their way upriver, past the Old Spaghetti Factory,[…]
Route Details 7:00PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) assemble heading upriver in front of Salty’s Restaurant, 38th/NE Marine Drive and turns at NE 42nd St[…]
Route Details 6:00 PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) assembles in front of Port of Camas/Washougal and parades in the area for about an hour. The fleet[…]
Unfortunately we will not be going in to Hayden Bay this season. The rest of our route on this night is not affected (Hayden Bay is just a small portion of our route). Between water levels and the added[…]
Route Details 7:00PM – Columbia Fleet assembles in front of James M. Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive. Tonight the fleet will remain the first hour in the area of the boat ramp, and[…]
Unfortunately we will not be going in to Hayden Bay this season. The rest of our route on this night is not affected (Hayden Bay is just a small portion of our route). Between water levels and the added[…]
Route Details 7:00PM – Columbia River Fleet assembles headed upriver in front of Salty’s Restaurant, 38th/NE Marine Drive and turns at NE 42nd St to head downriver to North Portland Harbor.[…]
Route Details 6:00PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) assembles at the St. Helens City Docks and heads downriver to Columbia City, and weather/river[…]
Route Details 4:30PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) meets in the afternoon at Coon Island and leave for Scappoose arriving approximately 5:00PM then[…]
Route Details 7:00PM – Columbia Fleet assembles in front of James M. Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive. Tonight the fleet will remain the first hour in the area of the boat ramp, and[…]
Unfortunately we will not be going in to Hayden Bay this season. The rest of our route on this night is not affected (Hayden Bay is just a small portion of our route). Between water levels and the added[…]
Route Details 7:00PM – Columbia Fleet assembles in front of James M Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive and continues upriver to the I-205 Bridge area and Steamboat Landing. The fleet[…]
Route Details 4:30PM – The combined fleet (Columbia River and Willamette River Fleets) will leave RiverPlace Marina headed to Lake Oswego, arriving about 6:00PM, subject to weather and[…]
Unfortunately we will not be going in to Hayden Bay this season. The rest of our route on this night is not affected (Hayden Bay is just a small portion of our route). Between water levels and the added[…]
Route Details 7:00PM – Columbia River Fleet assembles headed upriver in front of Salty’s Restaurant, 38th/NE Marine Drive and turns at NE 42nd St to head downriver to North Portland Harbor.[…]
If you’ve never seen our parade before, you have many opportunities to see us. Figure out which river and night work best for you from our schedules: Columbia River Schedule -or- Willamette River Schedule. The schedule details for each night list some of the best viewing locations to see us. Sometimes that may be from a shoreline park or it may be from the warmth of a restaurant overlooking the river. On the Willamette, you always have the opportunity to see us from a dinner cruise. Make your reservations now, they book up fast!
How will you participate this year? As a spectator or as a Christmas Ships skipper? As long as you have a boat that can do at least 6 knots and have a desire to decorate it, we welcome anyone to join us. It’s a fulfilling experience that you won’t forget. Be warned, it is addictive! The commitment can be whatever you want it to be. Join us for one night or join us for all. To see some of the benefits, please visit: Benefits. To sign up, please visit: Sign Up.
Portland, OR. Would you like to join the parade of giving this December? William Temple House was selected by the Christmas Ships organization as its 2019 charity and you can help the organization as well. At two Christmas Ship Meet & Greet events you can bring new winter coats for the Children’s Clothing Closet at William Temple House. You can also donate money, anytime; here’s a link where you can make a tax-deductible donation today.
Here’s event information for the “Meet and Greet” events with the Christmas Ships organization: Saturday, December 21st, from 8-10 PM and Sunday, December 22nd, from 2-4:30 PM. The “Meet and Greets” are held at the Portland waterfront docks near Riverplace Marina. Again, William Temple House will have a booth set up to collect warm coats for children in need. Cash/credit card donations will also be gratefully accepted.
Donations will help further the mission of William Temple House to provide social services, mental health counseling, and spiritual care to individuals and families in need.
Christmas Ship organizers explain why they selected the nonprofit: “William Temple House is a nonprofit social service agency located in NW Portland that supports people in need, especially those who are affected by two major concerns in our area: extremely high rates of mental illness and the affordable housing crisis. Their services include affordable access to mental health counseling for individuals, couples, and families; a healthy food pantry; hygiene items; new clothing for children; dental and vision care; and energy assistance so that families don’t have to choose between paying rent or basic living expenses. William Temple House has been making a difference in the lives of Portlanders for 54 years. The Christmas Ships are honored to work with organizations like this and we hope you’ll consider contributing.”
One such person who has benefited from the services of William Temple House is Karen. Here’s Karen’s William Temple House story:
Karen is an avid reader with a passion for helping others. This year she organized a book drive for the free library at William Temple House. “Today I’m a giver in the world,” she says, “and it feels really good.” But it wasn’t always that way. Before Karen came to William Temple House, she felt lost and afraid. Her struggle with bipolar disorder made it difficult to get by and strained her relationship with her husband Ed.
“I had done everything I could and I heard that William Temple House had couples counseling. I felt like we really needed that. And that was the beginning.”
Here’s a video about Karen:
The affordable counseling appointments at William Temple House made it possible for Karen and Ed to meet with their counselors regularly as a couple and individually. With therapy tailored to their specific needs, Karen noticed that she and her husband began to work better as a team. After a few months of counseling, Karen knew they would be able to achieve their goal of staying together.
Karen and Ed are doing well now. And if they need support, they know William Temple House can be a resource for them.
Karen and Ed received mental health support at a difficult time in their lives, as well as free healthy food and check-ins with our community chaplain when they needed it. Karen believes our counseling program saved her marriage and nurtured her growth as a person. “William Temple saved our life. I don’t know what would have happened… and I’m very grateful right now, that this is the life we have.” Karen and Ed are doing well now. And if they need support, they know William Temple House can be a resource for them.
Today, Karen is a giver because it feels good to give back. “It’s empowering to give, because then you grow more. And then the good goes on. The good is multiplied.”
From William Temple House:
Your donation to William Temple House helps provide our current and future clients much-needed access to affordable counseling averaging $5 a session, healthy groceries, and many other services that families need to move forward in their lives. Your support makes a difference! Thank you.
William Temple House is a place of hope for people in our community.
With low- and no-cost counseling, social services and spiritual care, we lend a helping hand to Portland’s most vulnerable populations.
This year we experienced a 14% increase in the number of clients we served. Will you help us meet this growing need with a donation today?
Together we brighten the lives of thousands of our neighbors, helping them make it through difficult times and get back on their feet. Please open your hearts this holiday season and give generously for the well-being of our community.
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