page 1An Interfaith Community of Volunteers

At our food warehouse, volunteers Ralph Wells and Mike Kennedy are again looking for the box cutter.

Losing the box cutter seems to be the only point of confusion in this team’s work habits. Kennedy, a retired math teacher and Wells, recently retired from the Oregonian and a former food pantry manager, run our food warehouse like a well-oiled machine.

Every Friday, the pair prepare food boxes for delivery Tuesdays. On Monday, they prepare for Fridays. When deliveryman Stuart Barthold arrives, the boxes of non-perishables are ready to go to our pantry. There, they are topped off with fresh produce before reaching recipients. Barthold wastes no time waiting to do his part.

Kennedy observes, “Volunteering is time well spent and we’re always busy. There’s always a creative element in that you can find ways to do it better and smoother. We work well together!”

Their teamwork allows them to process piles of donations from our food drives, which can quickly accumulate on the dock.

They comment, “It’s unbelievable; people are so supportive. It keeps us busy for weeks. And there are so many people in need.”

The pair did not know each other before seeking meaningful volunteer work last spring. They met at their Lift Urban Portland volunteer training, and fell naturally into a partnership whipping the warehouse into shape.

Wells says, “We treat our volunteer hours like a real job. We show up and know exactly what has to be done. Otherwise, it would be chaotic, because food just keeps arriving.”

He adds, “We are part of a string of volunteers helping people, and making the system more efficient serves recipients. When other volunteers can count on things being ready, it makes Lift Urban Portland a better place to volunteer. What we do makes a difference down the line, and that’s satisfying.”

Newsletter Winter 2013

Season of Sharing Wishbook, p. 2

2012 Christmas Party, p. 2

Flu Shot Clinics, p. 2

Gardens Update, p.2

Invite Us to Make a Presentation, p. 3

Holiday Theater Party, p. 3

Online Fundraiser, p. 3

New Board of Directors, p. 4

Our New Video, p. 4

NINA Food Drive, p. 5

Financial Planning Tea, p. 6

IRA Rollover, p. 6

Save the DateVolunteer Appreciation BreakfastThursday, April 25th, 9:00-11:00 a.m.Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Morrison Room 147 NW 19th Ave.RSVP to info@lifturbanportland.org 503-221-1224 ext 103

Ralph Wells and Mike Kennedy prepare our food boxes at least a day before

they’re needed.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Wells chats with Dan Hupala from Friendly

House about our Food for Kids Backpacks

program.

page 2An Interfaith Community of Volunteers

Our garden starts will thrive this year with a new drip irrigation system.

Season of Sharing Wishbook

A volunteer curls ribbon to decorate Christmas party gift

bags.

Volunteer Ron Rood cheerfully serves our Harvest Share recipients every second Wednesday.

This year, Lift Urban Portland was fortunate to be included in the Oregonian’s Season of Sharing Wishbook, a holiday guide to supporting local non-profits. Reporter Nancy Haught profiled Ron Rood, both a recipient and volunteer at Lift Urban Portland. He was also featured in our Garden Party video, which helped raise substantial funding for our programs.

Although Ron is visually and hearing impaired, he is a busy, fit citizen. He rows on a Dragon Boat team of others with diminished sight (named “Blind Ambition”) and even teaches woodcarving. He helps daily at our Senior Hot Lunch site and at Harvest Share, always with a smile.

Thanks to Nancy Haught for her caring, meticulous work on our story. The Wishbook raised $12,500 for our programs.

Doing Something Jewish for Christmas, Again

Our annual Christmas dinner at Congregation Beth Israel (CBI) warmed hearts and stomachs on cold, drizzly December 25. With live music by The Bloozers, the community enjoyed turkey with all the trimmings, served by attentive Lift Urban Portland volunteers.

This standout community effort included donations from partners Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, St. Mary’s Cathedral, CBI, First Immanuel Lutheran Church, National Council of Jewish Women and Terwilliger Plaza. Many community donors made it possible for each diner to receive a gift bag of personal amenities, plus a choice of warm accessories. We served 480 sit-down dinners and delivered 150 more to homebound neighbors. Volunteers were led by Lift Urban Portland board member Susan Milstein.

Flu Shot Clinics Protect 160

This fall, Lift Urban Portland partnered with Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center and Multnomah County to offer seven free flu vaccine clinics downtown and in Northwest Portland. 160 uninsured, low-income and homeless neighbors received flu shots from volunteer nurses. We will repeat this service next year, hoping to prevent costly hospital stays for at-risk neighbors. Volunteer nurses were led by our board member, Desi Shubin.

Spring in Our (Irrigated) Gardens

Thanks to funding from West Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District ($2000) and Metro ($3000), we will install drip irrigation in our food gardens in March. Additional funding ($3000) from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America provides operational support. Please call Kelly to help; a range of tasks are available to volunteers.

page 3An Interfaith Community of Volunteers

Our online fundraising campaign, Lend a Hand to Lift Urban Portland, raised $665 for our programs. Carole Barkley won a Columbia Sportswear backpack like the one at right for raising the most money. Steve Scully won a backpack for engaging the most donors. Thanks to everyone who participated and to our sponsors: Adidas, Columbia Sportswear, Salt & Straw, Food Front Cooperative Grocery and Pizza Schmizza.

If your business or organization wants to learn more about community engagement, invite us to visit. We have a range of visual materials and can make an efficient, inspiring presentation about enhancing your community profile by working with us. We’d love to meet your congregation, civic group, community organization, business or club. Call our office to make arrangements or write to info@LiftUrbanPortland.org.

Sponsors Send Volunteers to Our Holiday Theater Party

In December, Congressional Representative Suzanne Bonamici, husband Michael Simon, and Katherine and John Zelko sponsored our winter fundraiser. It was a private performance of Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol at the nearby Artists Repertory Theatre.

Bonamici and her husband, Judge Michael Simon, are members of Congregation Beth Israel (CBI), and Bonamici is a past member of the Northwest Children’s Theater. Coincidentally, Simon is the nephew of playwright Neil Simon.

The Zelkos own Z’IVO Wines and provide quality reds and whites for our special events.

The sponsorships provided tickets to 30 Lift Urban Portland volunteers. Our food collection, gardens and distribution, as well as support to subsidized housing, are primarily staffed by industrious volunteers.

Invite Us to Your Organization

Volunteers David Loftus and Marvin Mitchell served refreshments at our theater party.

Online Fundraiser Concludes

Leading online fundraisers won backpacks like this one from Columbia Sportswear.

Two members of Zion Lutheran Church show the tuna and canned meat their food drive collected for

our programs.

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Our New Board of Directors

Our New Video and BrochureThe final projects funded by our community outreach grants include our brochure and agency video. The video was created by our neighbor, Magaurn Video Media. Their dedication extended to filming even on Christmas Day, sending cameraman Reijean Heringlake to capture our annual Christmas dinner at Congregation Beth Israel. You’ll find a link to the video on our website and Facebook page. New brochures are

also available in our office.

Speaking of Facebook, we regularly post to it our needs for donations and volunteer

time, so use it as a quick reference point. Or, just post a comment, photo or video of our programs.

Thank you to everyone who attended our annual meeting January 10. We appreciated the information presented by Nancy Weed of Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon about SNAP, the Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly food stamps).

Welcome, new board members! And thank you to outgoing members Pastor Melinda Wagner, Blaine Bartholomew and Ed Tyler.

Magaurn Video Media cameraman Reijean Heringlake changes lenses behind a heap of gift bags

at our annual community Christmas dinner.

Left to right: Fred Jeibmann, Kristine Jurgenson, Tom Corcoran, Caryn May, President Desi Shubin, Treasurer Dave Richardson, Lynne Bartenstein, Bruce Strade, Vice President Susan Milstein, Secretary Nikki Director, Jon Wild. Not pictured: Marvin Mitchell.

Northwest Industrial Neighborhood Association Food Drive Again Replenishes Our Warehouse

Thanks to the Northwest Industrial Neighborhood Association (NINA) for repeating their annual food drive benefitting our food programs. NINA rounded up 2196 pounds of nutritious food for us, plus $372 cash.

Joe Macnab of Star Industrial Supply picks up food donations from the Oregon Beverage

Recycling Cooperative.

page 5An Interfaith Community of Volunteers

Cash GiftsGordon AkesonEmma J. AllenAnonymousRickland Asai, DMDAscension Episcopal ParishMichael and Trey AultPeter B. BakerBarbara BallweberJanis BarkerCarole Barkley and David LoftusLynne BartensteinStuart and Jacqueline BartholdMary C. BeckerTrudy BenjaminWilliam and Nancy BennettsJenni and Aaron BesenMarcia Blasen and John BrusascoPaula BlasenSusan S. BodinSuzanne Bonamici and Michael SimonWarren W. Braley, Jr.Sharon and Steve BrennerJohn and Sandra BrightBecky BrownJanet Burch-PessesDolores CalicchioRichard and Jane ClippingerAllison CoffinLanny and Barbara CollinsCongregation Beth IsraelJohn and Joyce CornynRoy and Sharon CoulterPriscilla and Nick CowellBarbara and Robert CrookeElizabeth CrookhamArthur and Winnifred DannerMary C. DavisReena and Stuart DavisDavid and S DeckerJerry DelamaterDelanie DelimontNikki and Stuart DirectorStuart and Nikki Director Family Fund at the Oregon Jewish Community FoundationChapman and Kay DixSherrie Dixson and John SargentClifford DrokeElephant’s DelicatessenHeather ElliottJanice ElvenPat and Dale FiedlerFirst Immanuel Lutheran ChurchComm. Nick FishLynn C. ForsythMark FosterSam Friedenberg and Sandy TetzloffJanet GallagherGalvinizers CompanyArlene GarrisonDonn and Jan GassawayGeneral Tool & Supply Co.Albert Gentner

Eloise GibsonShirley Gittlesohn and Ernest BonyhadiRita GockenRosanne GrantGerry and Margo GreeveBonny GroshongWendy GutmannDianna Hanken-HuJanet Hansen-TracyJane HeftyKenneth and Jane HergenhanJohn HermanHewlett-Packard HH Click LLCRay Hickey FoundationRev. Jack HilyardJohn and Earlene HolmstromAnn and Jim HoltzThe Holzman FoundationKevin & Keren HooverBruce and Pamela HowardJohn and Jeanne HowardLesley Isenstein and Steve LavesonEllin and Fletcher JohnsonLori JohnsonWeston and Sarah JohnsonKathy KeatingTed KingeryDavid and Jennifer Director KnudsenThe Rt Rev. Robert LadehoffAlexander LambCraig and Linda LangleyLesley Jones LarsonLydia and Derek LipmanWilliam LisowskiJoyce and Stanley LoebMitzi LoftusAlice H. MacDonaldNancy and Jack MacDonaldRuth MarquisLouise and Richard MarshCaryn MayJim and Marjorie McAllisterBrad and Janet MersereauJames and Lora MeyerIan and Kelly MillerJim and Andrea MillerSusan and Barney MilsteinDavid and Anne MunroBrendan MurphyDaniel MurphyThe Neidig Family Charitable FoundationJill and Ed NeuweltDavid and Marjorie NewmanFr. Steve and Sandy NorcrossNorthwest Industrial Neighborhood AssociationMichael O’ConnellMichael and Gloria Borg OldsMildred OlsonOperation Night WatchLinda OstomelDonnalee Palin

John PalumboThe Parish of St. MarkGary and Sylvia PearlmanDeborah Pollack and Barry PelznerMarilyn and Richard PortwoodDee PoujadeAbby QuinnArlene and Ravid RaphaelDan Reisberg and Friderike HeuerWalter and Koko ReyesMichael and Susan RichDave and Cheryl RichardsonGerson RobboyHeidi and Joe RoseRobert and Joan RosenbaumRosemary RosenfeldStan and Madelle Rosenfeld Family FoundationKaren and Norman SadeSt. Mary’s CathedralRobert & Marilyn SchubergTiffany and Matthew SchusterMarlyss SchwengelsStephen ScullySeams to FitSELCO Community Credit UnionLynda ShapiroTerry ShawDesi ShubinMary S Sicilia and Robin HaglundStar Industrial Supply, Inc.David and Diana StegnerDon and Carol SterkelWilliam and Cornelia StevensBruce StradeBonnie and Doug StroudDavid and Linda Ross SwansonColleen ThomasMark ThomasJenni ThompsonPeter and Suzanne Spitler ThompsonJean and John ThorpeThrivent Financial - NE Portland ChapterLynn TobiasBarry TonkinBetty TrudeauEd and Joyce TylerKay Van PattenCarolyn VandersliceBob and Ginger WagnerPastor Melinda WagnerPam and Carl WalkerTerri WarrenThe Warren FoundationWells Fargo BankWest Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation DistrictJoseph E. Weston Public Foundation at the Oregon Community FoundationJanise WhiteJon Wild

Lift Urban Portland Donors (October 1 – December 31, 2012)

page 6An Interfaith Community of Volunteers

Kay and Ken WolfeStephen YermalKatherine and John ZelkoBeverly Zell

In-Kind GiftsBridgeview DentalJohn and Sandra BrightCathedral Grade SchoolCongregation Beth IsraelColumbia SportswearDave’s Killer BreadDr. Mike DavisDr. Richard DietrichDarr DurhamEllington HandbagsFor Counsel, Inc.Franz BakeryHavurah ShalomHeron Haus Bed & Breakfast InnKay and James IrwinJennifer Johansen Craig and Linda LangleyCarey and Dan MacNaughtonMeals on WheelsRich MeyerNew Seasons MarketDonnalee PalinSalt & StrawTiffany and Matthew SchusterSELCO Community Credit UnionLynda ShapiroSt. Mary’s CathedralSunstar AmericasWalter and Gloria SweekTargetKay Van PattenWillamette Dental GroupZion Lutheran ChurchKatherine and John ZelkoZombie Squad, Chapter 011

Tribute GiftsIn honor of Max Borg Michael and Gloria Borg OldsIn honor of Rena Borg Michael and Gloria Borg OldsIn honor of Richard and April Borg Michael and Gloria Borg OldsIn honor of Rochelle Borg and Kyla Herblum Michael and Gloria Borg OldsIn honor of Cancer Care Unit at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center Marlyss SchwengelsIn honor of Janet Gallagher and other Lift Urban Portland volunteers Ascension Episcopal ParishIn honor of Preston Holt John and Joyce Cornyn Priscilla and Nick Cowell

Donn and Jan Gassaway Rev. Jack Hilyard The Rt Rev. Robert Ladehoff Joyce and Stanley Loeb David and Anne Munro Mary S Sicilia and Robin HaglundIn honor of Richard Killen Nikki DirectorIn honor of Barbara Lang Nikki DirectorIn honor of Ruth and John Maxwell Michael and Gloria Borg OldsIn honor of Janet Mersereau Brad MersereauIn honor of Benjamin Olds and Nadine Gartner Michael and Gloria Borg OldsIn honor of Josh, Melanie, and Pearl Olds Michael and Gloria Borg OldsIn honor of Linda Ostomel Nikki DirectorIn honor of Bruce, Karen, and Isabella Rusnak Michael and Gloria Borg OldsIn honor of Carolyn Rusnak Michael and Gloria Borg OldsIn honor of David, Rhonda, SJ, and Rachel Rusnak Michael and Gloria Borg OldsIn honor of Steven, Debbie, Matthew and Elena Rusnak Michael and Gloria Borg OldsIn honor of Rose Rustin Nikki DirectorIn honor of Jack Schwartz The Warren Foundation In memory of Eldon Olson Mildred OlsonIn memory of Doris Rich Michael and Susan Rich

Monthly DonorsThanks Every Day!

These donors each make a monthly gift to Lift Urban Portland. We appreciate being able to count on their regular, steadfast support. It really adds up!

Barbara BallweberCarole BarkleyLynne BartensteinTrudy BenjaminDelanie DelimontElephant’s DeliJanet Gallagher

Arlene GarrisonCraig and Linda LangleyAlice H. MacDonaldFr. Steve and Sandy NorcrossOperation NightwatchSeams to FitStar IndustrialCarolyn Vanderslice

You can set up a monthly donation with your credit or debit card. Or, we can do it for you. For more information, call Darr at 503.221.1224, x103.

Note: Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of the listings. If you see an error, please contact us at 503.221.1224, x103.

Board of Directors

Desi Shubin, President, Legacy Good Samaritan Medical CenterSusan Milstein, Vice President, Congregation Beth IsraelNikki Director, Secretary, National Council of Jewish Women, Portland SectionDave Richardson, Treasurer, Trinity Episcopal CathedralFred Jeibmann, Member at LargeLynne Bartenstein, Congregation Beth IsraelTom Corcoran, St. Mary’s CathedralKristine Jurgenson, First Immanuel Lutheran ChurchCaryn May, National Council of Jewish Women, Portland SectionMarvin Mitchell, First Presbyterian ChurchBruce Strade, Zion Lutheran ChurchJon Wild, Home Forward

page 7An Interfaith Community of Volunteers

Our food boxes come to the Bud Clark Commons.

2012 Photo Album

Pumpkin pie social at Gallagher Plaza.

Northwest Tower enjoys a luau.

Our holiday theater party was a treat.

Preston and Tian share a laugh.

Christmas dinner volunteers await diners.

Plentiful pears at Harvest Share

Flu shots help keep the doctor away for the uninsured.

page 8An Interfaith Community of Volunteers

Join us for afternoon tea and an informative presentation by Amy Davidson, J.D., attorney with the Law Offices of Nay & Friedenberg. Including:

• Financial and healthcare decisions • Necessary documents • How to provide for family members, friends, and pets you leave behind• How your legacy can support your values

Tuesday, March 19, 2013Trinity Episcopal Cathedral/Morrison RoomNW 19th Avenue (at Northwest 19th and Everett)3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

RSVP: 503-221-1224, ext.103There is no charge for this event.

IRA Rollover Option

If you’re age 70 ½ or older, you can make a direct tax-free rollover of up to $100,000 from an IRA to a qualified charitable organization like Lift Urban Portland. Check with your financial advisor for details.

Legal and Financial Planning and Why It Matters