Save the Date: 2010 MLK Weekend of Service

To honor the legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., United Way of the Columbia-Willamette and Hands On Greater Portland are gearing up for another great weekend devoted to service and volunteerism.

For the third year in a row, United Way and Hands On Greater Portland are organizing volunteer projects throughout the four-county Portland-Vancouver metro area for the 2010 MLK Weekend of Service, to be held Friday thru Monday, Jan. 15-18.

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KINK.fm Focuses on NW Natural Gas Assistance Program

United Way CEO Marc Levy and NW Natural's Jenna Cooper Gross were interviewed recently by KINK.fm about the NW Natural Gas Assistance Program, an initiative that helps low-income customers in Oregon and Southwest Washington keep the heat on. NW Natural shareholders cover all administrative fees so every single penny donated goes directly to the program.

Click below to listen to the convo:

Have a Great Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving ... and Thanks

We are especially grateful for your longtime support of our community.

Warm regards,

Your Friends at United Way of the Columbia-Willamette

Celebrating IKON Office Solutions

By Nia Gray, United Way Community Account Manager

Employees of IKON Office Solutions have been so generous in the past. To thank them, the IKON Office Solutions Downtown office hosted a delicious lunch and info session. Each employee wore a United Way T-shirt to show their support.

Front from left to right: Yun Choi, Gretchyn Duval, Robin Wolf, Sandy Duell, Julie Currier, Susan Bailey. In the back row are: Steve Fitzpatrick, Terry Wagner, Tony Delano, Doug Palmer, Jeremy Weed, Justin Ballweber, Casey Shields, Jared Hoisington.

Helping Survivors of Domestic Violence in Clackamas County

Thanks to Clackamas Women's Services for highlighting its Beyond Shelter Initiative program, funded by United Way of the Columbia-Willamette.

Survivors of sexual and domestic violence can face a variety of barriers to rebuilding a safe life. One of the most significant, unfortunately, is housing.

CWS's program brings together the expertise of NW Housing Alternatives, Clackamas County Social Services and faith-based groups to help survivors of domestic violence find or retain stable housing.

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Chili Cook-Off at Harris Group Inc.

By Steve Papp, United Way Community Account Manager

Harris Group, Inc. ran a fun and successful campaign by showing off their creativity. The employee team showed positive and creative energy by hosting three special events: a Chili cook-off, a pumpkin-carving contest and Change wars. These events brought the team together, infused fun in the workday and raised over $5,000 for the community.

More about the chili cook-off. There were six chilis in the cook-off, ranging from the traditional flavors (just like Mom made) to a meaty five-alarm chili that was packed with flavor and is a sure fire way to warm you up on those cold rainy days.



The winner, John Arscott (pictured above) made a chili with a variety of ingredients that made everyone wonder…what’s in this?!?! The flavors were familiar yet inventive and now he will own the traveling chili cook-off trophy for one year…until next year’s challenge.


From left: Chris Groskopf, Sean Duffy, Ian Townsend, Steve Papp (United Way), Shirley Veltkamp, and Sheila Stai

Harris Group has been a strong supporter of the community all year round. In addition to their United Way workplace giving campaign, they have been giving basic necessities (e.g. toilet paper, food, plates, toys and monetary donations) to a local women and children's shelter. Employees also collected blankets and other knitting items from friends and provided them to those in need.

NW Natural Gas Assistance Program

Most people across the Northwest have already turned on their furnaces this year. However, with high unemployment and a still-struggling economy, staying warm for many, will be a luxury over the 2009-2010 winter season.

“Oregon and Washington families have been directly impacted by the recession and unemployment is at an all time high in our region,” said Stephen Feltz, NW Natural Controller & Treasurer. “We hope our GAP campaign will provide some relief for our customers struggling in these tough economic times.”

NW Natural’s Gas Assistance Program (GAP) is an important initiative that helps low-income customers in Oregon and Southwest Washington keep the heat on. NW Natural shareholders cover all administrative fees so every single penny donated goes directly to the program.

“Last year, GAP provided just over $200,000 to help more than 1,600 NW Natural customers in need of assistance,” said Jenna Cooper-Gross, NW Natural spokesperson. “This year, we are hoping to exceed that number, so we’ve issued a challenge to our communities in the form of a matching campaign.”

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