Portland, OR. Nearly 800 community members came together in downtown Portland to honor outgoing Central City Concern President & CEO Ed Blackburn. It was a heartfelt sendoff that featured like-minded leadership ranging from past clients to current elected officials. Blackburn was honored by Rachel Solotaroff, MD, President & CEO and Richard Harris, past Executive Director. The event also raised $300,000 to support critical programs that help accelerate the move to self-sufficiency for people who access Central City Concern’s housing, health care, and employment programs. “Compassion in Action” was the theme for the fundraiser on October 10th at the Portland Hilton. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)
Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley sharing a connection between Ed Blackburn and the story of The Good Samaritan.
Mayor Ted Wheeler acknowledging Ed Blackburn’s dedication, compassion, and commitment to serving others for his entire career.
Israel Bayer, Executive Director, Street Roots, Ed Blackburn, President & CEO Emeritus, Central City Concern, Sandra McDonough, President & CEO, Portland Business Alliance
From Central City Concern:
Proceeds from the Compassion in Action Campaign will be used to support critical programs that help accelerate the move to self-sufficiency for people who access Central City Concern’s housing, health care, and employment programs. At Central City Concern, we don’t just put a roof over someone’s head. We give individuals the life and work skills they need to remain housed, healthy, and self-sufficient for the long term.
Portland, OR. The Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) welcomed nearly 800 of their most passionate supporters on September 24th to the 16th annual Wonderball. Analia Earhart, CCA Board Member; Regina Ellis, CCA Founder and Chief Joy Officer; and Jani Iverson, VP, Stand for Children enjoyed the star-studded Havana-themed nightclub experience that raised more than $1.3 million to further CCA’s mission of delivering joy to seriously ill children and their families. Billed as ¡El Baile! (The Dance!), and presented by Regence BlueCross BlueShield, the evening celebrated the vibrant colors, sounds, flavors, and styles of 1950s Havana. (Photo credit, Megan Henson)
Mary and Andy Lytle, CCA Board Chair & Division VP of Western US, Jackson Family Wines
Jeff and Susie Perkins, Andrea Corradini, (CCA Board Member & Women’s Global Senior Footwear Product Director, Nike Sportwear) and David Brown
Regina Ellis, CCA Founder and Chief Joy Officer; Ron and Lynn Penner-Ash, Penner-Ash Wine Cellars; Pieter De Temmerman, CEO, Pacific Data Partners
Tony Starlight, The Starella Sisters and Melao de Cuba get the Havana nightclub-themed party started
Tanya Cerda and Sandy Boedecker, VP Special Projects, Nike
Party guests included Scott Burton, CCA Board Member and Director of Community & Business Relations for Presenting Sponsor – Regence BlueCross BlueShield; Mark Mantei, CEO, Vancouver Clinic; Angela Dowling, President, Regence BlueCross BlueShield; and Sam Burton.
Foundation; David Lucas, Executive Director, Maurice Lucas Foundation; and Kaylyn Jones, Nike
Michelle DeCourcy, CCA Ambassador Board Member and Fashion Designer; and Seann McKeel, MyMusicRx Champion & Creative Director, You Who Rock Show for Kids
Wonderball Lead Partner, Thrivent Mutual Funds fills a table.
Keynote speaker, John Grothe, is the head PGA professional at Willamette Valley Golf Club. His family was served by CCA in 2014.
Chris Funk, The Decemberists; Abby Guyer, CCA VP of Brand; Andy Lytle, CCA Board Chair and Division VP – Western US Jackson Family Wines
Paul Schneider, owner, TWIST; Clare Hamill, CCA Founding Board Chair and VP Global Growth Initiatives, Nike; Doug Fish, President, Fish Marketing; and Morgan Dance
Wonderball Celebration Partner, Alaska Airlines was in the house. Pictured are Sana Gebarin (Horizon Air), Susie Desmond, Liz Skayhan (Alaska Airlines), Lou Ames (Horizon Airlines), Brad Lambert (Horizon Air), Gabby Lambert, Kaylyn Jones (Nike), and David Lucas (Maurice Lucas Foundation)
Katherine Durham, CCA Board Member and Chief Marketing Officer and VP, Individual Disability Insurance, The Standard; and Brad Durham
Latin American singer and songwriter, Edna Vasquez, along with Melao de Cuba, close out the evening
Albert Menashe, CCA Board Member, Co-Founder and Senior Shareholder, Gevurtz and Menashe; Regina Ellis, CCA Founder and Chief Joy Officer; and Michael Preisz, President & Founder, Preisz Financial
Sarah and Cedric Berry; Allison Clarke, CCA Ambassador Board Co-Chair, President, Allison Clarke Consulting; and Todd Dickens
Guests were treated to live music from Son de Cuba, classic cars on display from the Portland Roadster Show, and Cuban-themed food and drink. Tony Starlight, ¡El Baile! nightclub host, channeled Desi Arnaz for a festive conga solo and, along with dancers The Starella Sisters, introduced high energy performances from Melao de Cuba Orquesta, tap dancer Tony Palomino, salsa dancers Jennie Fremont & Rob Hilario, and a special guest appearance by Latin American singer-songwriter, Edna Vazquez, to close out the night.
From CCA:
“For 21 years CCA’s programs have been provided at no cost and today, we serve over 20,000 kids and their families annually,” said Regina Ellis, Founder and Chief Joy Officer of the Children’s Cancer Association in her address. “Make no mistake. With the power of JOY, we are out to change the world.”
Portland, March 14th, 2015. There were lots of excited ALS supporters at the nonprofit’s gala. The event drew over 600 people who had the chance to bid on live auction packages such as a trip for two to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. The benefit raised $345,000 to continue the fight against ALS. Patrons also had the exclusive opportunity to hear from Barbara Newhouse, President and CEO of The National ALS Association as well as Nancy Frates, mother to Pete Frates, one of the young men who helped initiate the Ice Bucket Challenge out of Beverly, Massachusetts. At the event Claudia and Molly McClure had fun capturing the auctioneer’s attention.
Executive Director, Lance Christian, shares his gratitude with the Fylan family for their attendance and participation in the evening’s festivities.
Barbara Newhouse, CEO and President of The ALS Association, addressed the crowd with an update on ALS research and the success of the Ice Bucket Challenge influence.
Nancy Frates, mother of Pete Frates, one of the inspirations behind the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, addressed the crowd after accepting the ALS Hope Award.
In just over six months since the Ice Bucket Challenge soaked the nation, The ALS Association has made considerable progress in developing and executing strategies to put the incredible financial support to immediate use in the fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Last summer, 15 million people in the U.S. participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge—or roughly five percent of the population—and donated over $115 million to The ALS Association. Since that time, The Association has laid out a strategy to triple the amount it spends on research every year.
“Ice Bucket Challenge donations have enabled us to reinforce and reenergize our efforts to find treatments for this disease,” said Barbara J. Newhouse, President and CEO of The ALS Association. “We are so profoundly grateful and are committed to making the biggest impact in the fight against ALS.”
Right here in Oregon and SW Washington, the local chapter of The ALS Association has enhanced its Care Services programs by increasing participation in its In-Home Caregiving Program, expanding its Assistive Technology Support Program, and growing their supports for children who have a parent or grandparent living with ALS. ALS occurs every 90 minutes in the United States which means that every day, there are newly diagnosed people who need the supports of this local chapter, headquartered in Portland, Oregon with satellite staff in Central Oregon, Southern Oregon and the Willamette Valley.
“Until there is a treatment and a cure for this deadly disease, we are committed to enhancing the quality of life for all families living with ALS,” said Christian. “The Ice Bucket Challenge has proven that ALS hits remarkable people and it’s our sincere honor to serve them.”
Just what is ALS?
ALS was first found in 1869 by French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot, but it wasn’t until 1939 that Lou Gehrig brought national and international attention to the disease. Ending the career of one of the most beloved baseball players of all time, the disease is still most closely associated with his name. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.
Most commonly, ALS strikes people between the ages of 40 and 70, and as many as 30,000 Americans have the disease at any given time. ALS has cut short the lives of other such notable and courageous individuals as Hall of Fame pitcher Jim “Catfish” Hunter, Senator Jacob Javits, actors Michael Zaslow and David Niven, creator of Sesame Street Jon Stone, television producer Scott Brazil, boxing champion Ezzard Charles, NBA Hall of Fame basketball player George Yardley, pro football player Glenn Montgomery, golfer Jeff Julian, golf caddie Bruce Edwards, British soccer player Jimmy Johnstone, musician Lead Belly (Huddie Ledbetter), photographer Eddie Adams, entertainer Dennis Day, jazz musician Charles Mingus, former vice president of the United States Henry A. Wallace and U.S. Army General Maxwell Taylor.
Portland, October 16th-17th, 2013. Human Solutions’ 11th annual “It’s on the House” fundraisers generated $39,000 to support emergency shelter and housing programs for low-income and homeless families. Human Solutions client Shannon Chandonet and her year-old son, Dillon were among the 190 people who attended. Previously homeless, Shannon and Dillon stayed at Human Solutions’ emergency Daybreak Shelter while the agency helped them find a suitable apartment. Shannon has graduated from college, and is working with a Human Solutions Family Advocate to reach long-term self-sufficiency. (photo credit, Andie Petkus Photography)
First Lady of Oregon Cylvia Hayes delivered the keynote address at the Portland luncheon, held at the Benson Hotel.
Speakers were eloquent in their support of Human Solutions’ mission to build pathways out of poverty for low-income and homeless families. Guests also heard from a Human Solutions client who shared how the stable housing and support services she received for herself and her son helped her overcome domestic violence and drug addiction to graduate from college and rebuild her life.
Board Members Jesse Smith and Olga Gerberg at the “It’s On the House” Portland luncheon.
Luncheon guests included Jan Laskey, Senior Vice President and Senior Client Manager of Community Development Banking, Bank of America; Jean DeMaster, Executive Director, Human Solutions; Rich Miller, Director of Operations at Affinity Property Management; and Carla Piluso, Board President, Human Solutions.
Women With Direction members with First Lady Cylvia Hayes (fourth from right) and Human Solutions Executive Director Jean DeMaster (far right).
There was also a Gresham breakfast at Persimmon Country Club featured a keynote address by Judith Huck, owner of Classique Floors and the 2013 Oregon Small Business Person of the Year.
Human Solutions thanked the following sponsors for making these events possible: Bank of America Merrill Lynch, KeyBank, Affinity Property Management, Enterprise Community Partners, Legacy Health, and Alder Geotechnical Services.
Portland, September 3rd, 2013. Backpacks filled with school supplies were delivered to nearly 13,000 children across the Portland area. Hundreds of Schoolhouse Supplies sponsors and community partners volunteered to pack the bags at the annual “Pack-a-Palooza.” (Photo credit, Andie Petkus.)
One giveaway event for donated school supplies was the sixth annual “March to Beach” with Knowledge Universe. Ted Wheeler and a fire truck from Portland Fire & Rescue joined in the celebration.
The Schoolhouse Supplies Tools for Schools program provides backpacks full of supplies to 25 area schools where 65% or more of the student population live at or below the poverty line. The program pairs community business sponsors with each school. The businesses also have the honor of handing out their donations to happy kids.
Part of the fun includes the summer Pack-a-Palooza where sponsors compete against other sponsors to see who can pack the fastest.
This year, the fastest time was 1.89 seconds per backpack. It was a tie between two groups: Chase & Ideba Marketing and Comcast.
Executive Director, Jen Barth (center) thanked the teams for their hard work and helping kids start school on the right foot.
We were founded in 1999 as a way to support students and teachers throughout Portland Public Schools. We operate Oregon’s first and only volunteer-run Free Store to provide teachers with the classroom supplies needed to encourage the learning process for all students. Today, we are a nationally recognized leader in the Free Store movement, which creates direct links between students and members of the community.
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