PJS Blog, News and Updates

On Monday January 23, The Umpqua Bank Challenge had the pleasure of presenting our two non-profit partners, “I Have A Dream” Foundation – Oregon and Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel, with a check totaling $100,000!

As the first “I Have A Dream” Dreamer School in the nation, Alder Elementary School was the perfect site for the auspicious presentation. Sitting on the eastern edge of Portland, Alder has one of the highest poverty rates in the state, with 94% of students eligible for free or reduced lunches and 20% of students homeless.

Led by Principal Paz Ramos, students from kindergarten through fifth grade will receive mentoring, tutoring and guidance as a way to propel them into college and beyond. Each student’s progress will be tracked for more than a decade as they move forward and break through these barriers to higher education.

Equally inspiring is Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel. In less than a month they are set to open the doors to their brand new home! With this spectacular space, children and their families will have all the room and amenities they need to fight sickness and work on recovering. Take a virtual tour of the new hospital below and notice the private patient rooms with extra-large windows, providing lots of natural light for each ailing visitor. Teen activity rooms and plenty of play space offer all the familiarities of home.  It is all designed to provide a positive, relaxing atmosphere while working on feeling better.

For us here at PJS, Monday’s check presentation was the culmination of the year’s hard work, planning and execution of the inaugural Umpqua Bank Challenge. It was exciting to see what the money is going to and how it will have a positive effect on the lives of children all across Portland!

On a more personal note, this week has been overwhelmingly eye opening. Not only did we visit Alder Elementary for the press conference, but I had the opportunity to tour the school and see first-hand the hope and drive of each child. Kindergartners are talking about college! It made me think back to what I was focused on at that age, and I can say with the utmost certainty that I was just worried about coloring in the lines. College didn’t pop into my mind until at least high school, so to hear 5 and 6-year-olds talk about college is boggling!

And it was amazing to learn just how close Randall Children’s Hospital is in their completion of the new building. I drive by it everyday to and from work. I’ve seen it’s various construction stages and I’m blown away knowing that I have a small part in helping all those children fight for their lives.

It was great to see the community and our sponsors give so much to present such an amazing gift to the children of Portland. Look out for 2012 as we aim to hold an even bigger and better event!