an Interfaith Community of Volunteers2701 NW Vaughn St, Suite 102 • Portland, OR • 97210

(503) 221-1224 • www.LiftUrbanPortland.org

I arrive two hours before the doors open, thinking that I am early. Already there is a line down the block, community members excited about our annual Christmas Dinner. “What’s your guess?

150, 200 people?,” I ask Susan Milstein when I find her in the kitchen.Before the day is done, she has some numbers: 586 meals served, including 92 home-deliveries. 150 volunteers. More than 700 gloves, socks and handmade woolen caps. Hundreds of goody bags filled with vital necessities. Seven members of the band, one lead singer. One tremendously happy holiday.It’s our annual Christmas Dinner at Congregation Beth Israel. In so many ways, this event is what Lift Urban Portland is all about.

Christmas at the Temple

As the new Communications & Events Coor-dinator, I am honored to share our stories. With so many facets of Lift Urban Portland to explore, my learning has just begun. Join me in a series of discoveries about who we are and how it all works together.

—Stephen Alexander, Newsletter Editor

Susan is my go-to person for this event. She serves again as the lead coordinator, and has worked with the event since she moved to Portland four years ago. I’ve heard some people say, “Susan wrote the book on the Christmas Dinner.” To be specific, she really just compiled it—a tome of procedures that cover the kitchen

services, table service, hospitality, clothes and gift tables.And what an operation it is! It’s like three pop-up stores in one: A full service kitchen and dining room, hospitality services, and gift tables with clothes and goody bags. There’s even an area for those that wish to dance.As I take pictures and discover my first Christmas Dinner with Lift Urban Portland, I find myself repeating our byline in my head: An interfaith community of volunteers. Everywhere I turn today, I see those words in action.

continued on page 5

Volunteer Feature .......CoverWellness ............................2Community .......................3Food Programs ..................4News from the Board ........5Donors & Tributes ..........6-7

In This Issue:

WINTER 2014

LEGACY GOOD SAMARITAN MEDICAL CENTER

is one of our major community partners and supporters. At its Northwest neighborhood facility, Legacy supports a range of groups that are building a healthier community,

and assists us with training options for our Wellness program.

Many thanks, Legacy!

The clinical staff at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center partners with Lift Urban Portland in an ongoing series of classes.

Seminars are held each Thursday at 11:30 a.m., at our several Adopt-a-Highrise locales.

Legacy-partnered classes

FEBRUARYCardiac Maintenance: Managing blood pressure,

understanding cholesterol

MARCHHeart Failure:

The importance of weighing yourself

APRILMeal Planning on a Budget

MAYSigns, Symptoms & Risk Factors of a Stroke

CURRENT AND UPCOMING CLASSESTai Chi

Matt leads this popular movement and balance class, held at Williams Plaza each Thursday, 3:45-4:45 p.m.

Walk with EaseThis new offering will have residents pounding the pavement, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 3 p.m. Gallagher Plaza is the starting point for this class, lead by student volunteers Brittany and Melodie.

A Matter of BalanceFall prevention and physical activity promotion. Volunteers are training with a certified Master Trainer in early 2014, then lead classes with residents at all four Home Forward locations.

Nutrition and CookingPlans for classes in these areas are in the works. Lift Urban Portland needs volunteers to help these classes launch and thrive.

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Lift Urban Portland

More classes at Home Forward!

January sees more Wellness class options for residents at buildings in our service area run by Home Forward: Northwest Tower, Gallagher Plaza,Williams Plaza and Medallion Apartments. Take a look at what 2014 has in store.

Calling all teachers!

We need your help to make our classes complete! We provide training and certified instruction. To join our Wellness program,

please contact our Program Director:info@LiftUrbanPortland.org

(503) 221-1224, ext. 105

This fall, Life Urban Portland partnered with Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center and Multnomah County to offer nine free flu vaccine

clinics at various Northwest and downtown Portland locations. 160 uninsured, low-income and homeless neighbors received flu shots from volunteer nurses, led by our own board member Desi Shubin.

Flu Shot clinics protect 160 people!

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Winter 2014

Holiday cheer at Senior Meal

Volunteer extraordinaire Terri Warren put on another fabulous holiday party for our community members. Terri has put together this event for several

years, held this year on December 5 at Meals on Wheels’ Senior Meal site on NW Irving Street.

Throughout the year, Terri and her friends gather toiletries and gently used clothing. At the holiday gathering, volunteers serve as personal shoppers to neighborhood guests, going from rack to rack to select a shirt, sweater or coat, socks, under garments and personal articles.

Terri is constantly dedicated to the health and well-being of our Northwest neighbors. Congratulations to Terri and her volunteers for their latest holiday party!

Helping Hands Abound!

Community food drives are an essential component in getting the food needed to feed 530 people each month through our food pantry, and provide 130 backpacks monthly for weekend

food for kids. This quarter, we welcome high tech firm Elemental Technologies into the fold! Their recent food drive brought in 1,874

pounds of food. Employ-ees also spent a work day at our warehouse, dropping off many barrels of food and helping us prepare them for our pantry and Food for Kids Backpacks program.

Elemental Technologies provides media solutions such as streaming

video for its clients’ marketing.

NINA’s food drive brought in 1,439 pounds of food for our pantry and

Food for Kids Backpack programs.

Check out our chart on the next page, and you will see why we celebrate our many local collaborations.

Terri Warren (left) is the owner and a nurse practitioner at

Westover Clinic in NW Portland.

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Lift Urban Portland

Where does the food come from?These organizations donated 100 pounds of more,

during the months of October, November and December 2013.

This chart shows 44,398 lbs of food, valued at $44,398 ($1.67 per lb.) Not shown on this chart are donations under 100 lbs., given by companies and individuals.

The grand total (including those not listed) is 45,348 lbs., valued at $75,731!

May Food Drive approaches

Lift Urban Portland receives weekly food donations from the Oregon Food Bank (OFB), one of our closest partner agencies. Donations to OFB fluctuate however, and we must purchase

food either from OFB or other sources to supplement donations. We go through food faster than you would think. For example, we need 400 shelf-stable milk containers each month for backpack alone!

There are so many ways you can participate!

• Onsite food barrels at your work, school, church—even your apartment or condo lobby.• Virtual food drive. Perfect for individuals and space-restricted offices! Raise money for food

purchases using peer-to-peer fundraising tools, from the convenience of the office or home.• Special incentives for employees. One of our business partner’s recent staff barbecues

requested food or financial contribution for admission.• Competitions between other companies. Challenge other businesses with these or other ideas.

For our own part, we work to gain recognition for businesses and groups who participate in the May Food Drive, including our newsletters, website, emails and features in local publications. We would love to see Lift Urban Portland’s May Food Drive become a cornerstone event across our service area. Please contact us at (503) 221-1224, or email our Outreach Coordinator, stephen@LiftUrbanPortland.org.

Blush Beauty BarCathedral Grade School

Dave’s Killer BreadElemental Technologies

ESCO Corp.Franz Bakery

Havurah ShalomKenny & Zuke’s Bagelworks

Linfield College of NursingNW Indl. Neighborhood Assn.

Oregon Food BankPuppet Labs

Safeway–Pearl DistristStarbucks

Trader Joe’sUrban Gleaners

PresidentSusan Milstein

Vice PresidentBruce Strade

TreasurerKristine Jurgenson

SecretaryFred Jeibmann

Member at LargeDave Richardson

MembersGustavo Cruz

Amy FeistSandy Kurth

Caryn MayLaura Schaffer

Lift Urban Portland2014 Board

of Directors

time and talent so that our community can have maximum holiday cheer.

Christmas at the Templecontinued from cover page

INTERFAITHPast the long tables of warm clothing in CBI’s lobby, someone has perched a stuffed Santa Claus doll on the top of the tall mound of goody bags. The tall glass case behind him displays a gleaming, graceful menorah.I find this kind of “interfaith” everywhere I turn. CBI congregants set dinner tables in the fellowship hall. In the kitchen I find my friend from 1st Immanuel Lutheran, beside volunteers of many other faiths. St. Mary’s Cathedral and Trinity Episcopal also join in, providing volunteers, food and many other resources.The doors open at 11:30 a.m. As our neighbors file into the dining room, I see Susan Milstein again and wonder aloud to her about how many different churches and faiths our dinner guests represent. I suspect this is one number we may never know.

COMMUNITYAs a musician, I like to chat with Dan Heims who plays harmonica with the Bloozers. Christmas Day is a well-known “non-workday” for musicians. Yet here is his whole band, giving their

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Winter 2014

A hearty welcome......to our two newest board members! Laura Schaffer, a registered dietitian at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital, brings to our board more than 15 years of experience in food and nutrition. Laura has served on our Nutrition Committee this past year, collaborating on healthier food options for our recipients.Amy Feist is the Manager for Meals on Wheels People’s Elm Court Center in downtown Portland. Amy returns to our city after a short stint in Arizona, and brings a passion for working with seniors.

And the fondest farewell......to our outgoing Board members, Desi Shubin and Lynne Bartenstein. Desi looks forward to maintaining our strong connection with her nursing team at Legacy Good Samaritan. Lynne will also continue working with Lift Urban Portland, coordinating our volunteers at the Meals on Wheels lunch site at NW 18th and Irving Street.

So many former board members continue their service with us, long after terms expire. We are blessed with a superb core of volunteers and celebrate our ongoing partnerships. Thank you!

A New Year, a New Board

Our business and community partners have been helping us for many weeks in advance of today’s dinner. They donate items for the occasion—soaps, teas, notepads, floss, even playing cards— for the goody bags. 550 pairs of socks sit near woolen hats and gloves that are made by hand, promising warmth as we all face winter together.

VOLUNTEERSRemember how I thought I was early to the event? Come to find out, volunteers have been in the kitchen since 7 a.m. today. They were here yesterday too, and the day before, prepping food for the grand event.Running the kitchen with military precision is Kathy Buss, who gathered the many volunteers from different

“An interfaith community of volunteers.” Everywhere

I turn today, I see those words in action.

places that she works. Some of them are from our Irving Street Pantry. Others can be seen at the weekly Senior Lunch program run by Meals on Wheels People.The spirit of volunteering hits home for me as I visit gift tables, manned by families giving their day to help our community. Two 14-year-old girls seem to have smiles permanently etched onto their faces, brighter than any Christmas display. They tell me this is their first year. “What do you think?,” I ask them.They hand another goody bag to a neighbor in need, and one of them beams as she replies, “We’re hooked.”

Lead coordinator Susan Milstein (right) encourages volunteers in CBI’s kitchen at

our annual Christmas Dinner.

Kick-Starting Christmas Dinner 2014

Through the generosity of many congrega-tions, businesses and individuals, we give our Christmas Dinner guests a goody bag to take home. We’d like to get a head start on next year, asking groups to select items or come up with ideas for next year’s goody bag. 500 if each item are needed.Do you have a friends that like to knit? Consider a knitting group for adult hats! Or save those pens with the old office logo. Call our office manager and let her know what you are collecting, such as:

CombsDental floss

Gloves / mittensLaundry detergent

Note padsRazors

ScarvesToiletries

ToothbrushesToothpaste

Woolen hatsWriting pens

American Endowment FoundationJay K. ArmstrongAscension Episcopal Parish Barbara BallweberStuart & Jacqueline BartholdJudith BeckPat BellamahWilliam & Nancy BennettsLes & Ellen BickMaureen BinzerUS Rep. Suzanne BonamiciWarren “Buzz” Braley, Jr.Sharon & Steve BrennerJohn & Sandra BrightBarbara BriodyBecky BrownSusanne J. BurnettScott & Gloria BurnsCambia Health Foundation Child’s Play Beverly ChristmanBill & Margaret ClarkCongregation Beth Israel Priscilla & Nick CowellArthur & Winnifred DannerReena & Stuart DavisDelanie DelimontNikki & Stuart DirectorDr. Edward DoyleJulie Durkheimer & Mark DohrmannVida EderaElephant’s Delicatessen Janice ElvenESCO Corporation Howard & Jen FeldmanFirst Immanuel Lutheran Church Bruce FrederickMorris J. GalenJanet GallagherArlene GarrisonGeneral Tool & Supply Co. Rita GockenRosalie Goodman

Donors: October 1 - December 31, 2013

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Lift Urban Portland

Thank you to the people and organizations that contributed to Lift Urban Portland during our last fiscal quarter. Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of these lists.

If you see an error, please contact us at (503) 221-1224.

Havurah Shalom Matthew Warren HollowayAnne & Jim HoltzJoseph E. Weston Public Foundation at the

Oregon Community FoundationJan & James KasameyerWilliam & Connie KirbyKobos Coffee Molly KohnstammAnn L. KramerCraig & Linda LangleyNatalie LinnNancy & Jack MacDonaldMadden FabricationMarian Edwards Family PartnershipLouise & Richard MarshMarilyn McIverTony Melaragno, MD & Kathy ImmermanLiz & Ruben MenasheNancy MenefeeBrad & Janet MersereauLora & James MeyerRev. Tyrus & Sharon MilesFrank & Tirzah MorellBrendan MurphyThe Neidig Family Charitable FoundationMadeline B. NelsonDavid & Marjorie NewmanKathy & Tim NortonMichael & Gloria Borg OldsMildred OlsonOregon Food Bank Milo & Bev OrmsethDonnalee PalinThe Parish of St. MarkPediatric Associates of the Northwest, PCRavid RaphaelRay Hickey Foundation

Elizabeth RaynerSharon & Jeff RichardsonKari RodegardLaurie & Bert RogowayRose E. Tucker Charitable TrustRobert & Joanie RosenbaumAlan & Eve RosenfeldRosemarie RosenfeldBunny SadisSeams to Fit SELCO Community Credit UnionLynda ShapiroJulie SheppardStan & Madelle Rosenfeld Family Foundation Ellen & Charles StearnsJoan W. SterrettWilliam & Cornelia StevensBruce StradeTerwilliger PlazaThrivent Financial—NE Portland ChapterBarry TonkinCheryl TonkinShirley UngerKay Van PattenCarolyn VandersliceSandy & Richard VisseJerry WeiglerCarolyn & Gary WeinsteinElaine & Sandy WeinsteinJoe WelchWells Fargo Bank Noah, Rael, Sethen, & Levi WendrowJoella WerlinWhole Foods Market—Pearl Les & Myrna WiersonKaren YoungKatherine & John ZelkoCharlene Zidell

“Get Acquainted” Breakfast

Lift Urban Portland holds its annual “Get Acquainted” Breakfast on Feb. 25,

7:30 a.m. at the Multnomah Athletic Club. This event is a time that we educate and reach out to potential community and faith partners.

Features include a video of our organization, and an example of our community partnership presented by ESCO Corporation. We always look to expand our reach, and welcome philanthropic activities such as sponsorships, work collaborations, food drive partners, and other active exchange of resources. A big thanks to our sponsor Terwilliger Plaza for making this event possible. Would you like your workplace to get involved? Know a friend whose company or group would love to grow with us? Visit our website for more information and sign up online, under “Special Events” at LiftUrbanPortland.org.

In celebration of Janet GallagherBill & Margaret Clark

In honor of Max BorgMichael & Gloria Borg Olds

In honor of Rena BorgMichael & Gloria Borg Olds

In honor of Richard & April BorgMichael & Gloria Borg Olds

In honor of Rochelle Borg & Kyla HerblumMichael & Gloria Borg Olds

In honor of Stuart DirectorShirley Unger

In honor of Amy FrankAlan & Eve Rosenfeld

In honor of Janet Gallagher & our other Lift UP Volunteers

Ascension Episcopal Parish

In honor of Irving Street Senior Lunch programRavid Raphael

In honor of Richard KillenNikki Director

In honor of Barbara LangNikki Director

In honor of Joyce LoebMolly Kohnstamm

In honor of Ruth & John MaxwellMichael & Gloria Borg Olds

In honor of Benjamin Olds, Nadine Gartner & YaelMichael & Gloria Borg Olds

In honor of Josh, Melanie & Pearl OldsMichael & Gloria Borg Olds

In honor of Linda OstomelNikki Director

In honor of Bruce, Karen & Isabella RusnakMichael & Gloria Borg Olds

In honor of Carolyn RusnakMichael & Gloria Borg Olds

In honor of David, Rhonda, SJ & Rachel RusnakMichael & Gloria Borg Olds

In honor of Steven, Debbie, Matthew & Elena Rusnak

Michael & Gloria Borg Olds

In honor of Alan & Eve RosenfeldHoward & Jen FeldmanCarolyn & Gary Weinstein

In memory of Susan ArmstrongJay K. Armstrong

In memory of Jean BurnettSusanne J. Burnett

In memory of Bud GevurtzElaine & Sandy Weinstein

In memory of Babette HorensteinElaine & Sandy Weinstein

In memory of Larry OlsonMildred Olson

In memory of Nisa Menashe ShleiferElaine & Sandy Weinstein

In thanks to Arlene SchnitzerElaine & Sandy Weinstein

Tributes & Celebrations

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Winter 2014

Anonymous Bardy Trophy Company Lynne BartensteinGinger M. Beck & Ian ArmstrongBeit Haverim Blush Beauty Bar John & Sandra BrightCathedral School Congregation Beth Israel Barbara CrookeDave's Killer Bread Darr DurhamElemental Technologies ESCO Corporation Food Front Cooperative Grocery Franz Bakery Katie GallagherShelby Galvin-TraversThe Clients of Hanu Pilates

Patti & Shane HarrisonHavurah Shalom Kay & James IrwinKenny & Zuke's Bagelworks Kobos Coffee Craig & Linda LangleyRobin LawsonLinfield College of Nursing Caryn MayJeanne NewmarkNike, Inc. The Northwest Industrial Neighborhood

Association OnPoint Community Credit Union The Parish of St. Mark Penzey's—BeavertonPenzey's—Pearl/DowntownPuppet Labs QFC—Barnes Road

Sean RogersSafeway—Pearl DistrictLynda ShapiroThe Coyote Club at Spirit Mountain CasinoStarbucks Coffee Company St. Mary's Cathedral Bob StrongLinda Ross SwansonTerwilliger Plaza Jenni ThompsonTrader Joe's United Methodist Women of First United

Methodist Church Urban Gleaners US Travel David Wiley, DMDRichard Wilson, DDSZion Lutheran Church

In Kind Donations

This year’s annual fundraiser will be held at Castaway Portland. This newer facility in Northwest Portland features a larger space, including an outdoor area perfect for a great summer’s eve. We are currently putting together this year’s theme. You can expect the feel of an English Country Fair, complete with wandering entertainment and an exciting new feature: Interactive kiosks where supporters can experience for themselves how Lift Urban Portland works.

Want to get involved?Call or write Stephen Alexander: stephen@LiftUrbanPortland.org.

(503) 221-1224, ext. 107

Annual Fundraiser Save the Date: Aug 26, 2014

Legal & Financial Planning: Why It Matters PASS ON THE VALUES THAT GUIDE YOUR LIFE

2701 NW Vaughn, Suite 102Portland, OR 97210www.LiftUrbanPortland.org

Return Service Requested

NONPROFIT ORGU.S. Postage

PAIDPortland OR

Permit No. 1572

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.

Join us for afternoon tea and an informative presentation

by Sam Friedenberg, attorney with the law offices

of Nay & Friedenberg.

THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THIS EVENT

Participants will receive an informative booklet that covers

many topics:• Financial and healthcare decisions.

• Necessary documents.

• How to provide for family members, friends and pets you leave behind.

• How your legacy can continue support for the values you believe in.

Friday, March 21, 2014 ● 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.Trinity Episcopal Cathedral’s Morrison Room

147 NW 19th Avenue (NW 19th and Everett Street)RSVP: (503) 221-1224, ext. 103

Warm woolen mittens: A few of our favorite things at our annual Christmas Dinner.