United Way Day at Portland Trail Blazers

What do the Portland Trail Blazers, Wells Fargo and United Way have in common?

We’re joining forces to show our support for the community and our favorite team.

3pm on Sunday, October 12 Rose Garden Arena

The Portland Trail Blazers, in partnership with Wells Fargo, will host “United Way Day” at their home game against the Utah Jazz. You won’t want to miss this early chance to see the full Trail Blazers team in action, score some LIVE UNITED gear, and “hoop” it up all for a great cause.

For tickets call 503.797.9600 or www.trailblazers.com

We hope to see you at the game!

United Way, Northwest Health Foundation Partner to Engage Underserved Communities in Health Reform Efforts

Sharing a common goal to increase community engagement and policy advocacy on health care issues, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette and the Northwest Health Foundation (NWHF) announce a funding partnership to support local projects.

NWHF allocated $175,000 for its Access to Healthcare Initiative that focuses on community engagement and policy advocacy. United Way of the Columbia-Willamette contributed an additional $75,000 to the initiative, directing dollars to projects that are most consistent with United Way’s health priorities.

The funding partnership is an example of how regional organizations are coming together to empower grassroots efforts that engage underserved communities in health care reform. Funded projects include public education and media campaigns to improve health care access, as well as efforts to build community support for state legislative proposals focusing on health care reform. read more>>

Workplace Campaign Off to a Strong Start

Early returns from recently concluded United Way workplace campaigns show strong results. A few highlights from events conducted at area workplaces:

Intel LANFest

Intel Oregon’s Aloha campus hosted a 24-hour PC gaming event, raising money for United Way of the Columbia-Willamette. Intel LANFest drew almost 70 hardcore PC gamers who brought their superfast machines powered by the fastest Intel processors to the event. World of Warcraft tournaments were a big draw, as well as Team Fortress II and Fooseball II contests. Gaming enthusiasts tried out the latest games at the demo station. Raffle drawings featured software, Intel processors and motherboards, gaming magazine subscriptions, and more.

Successful Safeco Campaign

“We respect and appreciate all that United Way does for our community. Everyone in the company was really motivated to help out, and have fun in the process,” says campaign coordinator Eric Putzek.

A companywide auction included artwork from local artists, gift certificates donated by merchants, and vacation packages drew in wide participation from Safeco’s 100 employees in Portland.

Fun events were planned throughout the campaign: mini-bike races, a barbecue at the beach, and even a hula hoop competition.

Safeco employees also had the chance to pledge top dollar for the right to give their boss a pie in the face. A group of managers signed up to participate, and employees outbid each other for the ultimate prize, says Eric Putzek. A few managers opted for a “buyout” by doubling the top pledged amount. In the end, 12 pies donated by Village Inn Restaurant hit their marks.

United Way Kicks Off Community Campaign

Outstanding volunteers, corporate and community partners were recognized for their community support and leadership with United Way’s Spirit of the Columbia-Willamette awards.

United Way of the Columbia-Willamette welcomed 600 business and civic leaders at the Oregon Convention Center to kick off the 2008-09 community campaign.

Read more >>

United Way of the Columbia-Willamette Names New CEO

The Board of Directors of the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette (UWCW) has selected Marc Levy as its new President and CEO, following a six-month nationwide search.

Levy is an innovative community leader, with 23 years as a United Way executive and has a proven track record for success and an extensive background in nonprofit management, resource development and community partnerships.

"The UWCW board is very pleased with the unanimous decision of the search committee. We have picked the right person at the right time based on Marc's demonstrated ability to build relationships, his proven leadership, creativity, and ability to deal with tough issues like diversity and inclusion," said Tina Foster, United Way board chair, who is a retail banking consultant at US Bank. Foster led the search committee that involved more than 40 staff, volunteers and community leaders and looked at a nationwide pool of exemplary candidates. "The board and volunteers are confident that the community will embrace Marc's leadership, and that he will be successful in positioning United Way for future growth with continued donor and community support."

Levy will join the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette in mid-October, and will be officially presented to the local community at United Way's Community Partners Breakfast on September 18. The event is open to the public.

read more...

Kazoo!

Thanks to everyone who turned out at "Celebrate Hillsboro days" to join United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, Intel Oregon and the City of Hillsboro in an attempt to break a Guinness World Record. The event drew almost 4,000 participants. Below is an excerpt from a Hillsboro Argus article about the event.

No Guinness record, but Celebrate Hillsboro a definite winner
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
By Susan Gordanier, The Hillsboro Argus


Hillsboro's claim on a third Guinness World Record will have to wait another year.

That doesn't mean Celebrate Hillsboro wasn't a success.

Near-perfect weather brought out the crowds for Saturday's extended farmers market and Sunday's antique fair. The moderate temperatures meant the 145 teams in the Mainstreet Madness 3-on-3 basketball tournament could battle without overheating, beyond their enthusiasm.

Barbara Simon, the city's public affairs manager who was tasked with much of the event's organizing, said several food vendors ran out of product early Saturday and had to restock to meet demand.

So many stopped by Kaiser Permanente's table in the Health & Safety Village the health-care provider exhausted its supply of free apples.

At 5 p.m. Saturday with the event set to close until morning, kids were still lining up for turns on the play equipment on the courthouse grounds. "We had to deflate the inflatables to keep the kids from coming," Simon said.

For many, the event's high point occurred noon Saturday, as the crowd swarmed the Civic Center plaza for the attempt at the Guinness world record for most people playing kazoo. Toni Carlo, vice president workplace giving for United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, encouraged last-second sign-ups.

Then Hillsboro Economic Development Director John Southgate told the crowd, "Knowing the kazoo is a difficult instrument to play, taking years of study, we'll give you a crash course led by Bernie Kuehn, an all-around great guy and leader of the Oregon Chorale."

Kuehn corrected "the misconception that you blow into a kazoo," and surprised all by announcing they would play "Do-Re-Mi" from "The Sound of Music" for five minutes, "about seven times through on this tune," he said. The crowd groaned, but followed his lead.

Scott and Tiffany Bowden, of Hillsboro, had turned out with their three young children specifically for the record attempt. They'd been unable to attend in past years, but in 2008, their son Tyler wanted to be part of history. As soon as playing ended, he asked, "Did we set the record?"

An official answer to Tyler's question had to wait until Monday. Carlo, who as in years past would handle the communication with the Guinness Records organization, confirmed the final tally: 3980 willing kazoo players had signed up, short of the 5,300 or so needed to surpass the most recent, though unofficial record for simultaneous kazoo players.

Saturday though, Carlo said, whether the record was broken or not, the event was a winner. "Our theme with United Way is, how do we come together, to forge community." Thousands of people blowing kazoos together, win or lose, represented success.

2008 United Way Campaign Coordinator Training

Due to the overwhelming response to the first training, we have added a second training session. The 2008 Live United campaign will introduce United Way's new messaging, so the training is highly recommended even if you went through 2007 training.

This will be a fun day full of great tips for creating excitement around your United Way campaign. Feel free to bring others from your workplace who will participate in spreading the LIVE UNITED message. Learn about the long-lasting changes United Way is making in our community and how to communicate United Way's work to your co-workers.

Date: Thursday, September 18
(immediately following the Community Partners Breakfast)
Time: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Place: Oregon Convention Center First Floor Meeting Room D-137

Register for the training today

Note: The training event is free, and registration is separate from Community Partners Breakfast.