Newsletter

| December 2006

A TIME TO GIVE THANKS
The closing of the year is a time to reflect and to be thankful for all that we have received. Like many of you, the Portland Parks Foundation has an abundance of reasons for gratitude. In fact, we recently saluted some of our most generous donors at the fourth annual Legacy Circle Celebration. Current members of the Legacy Circle – an impressive 157 major donors –help us fulfill our mission of stewardship for Portland's park system.

So where did we hold this very special event? Why, the
Portland Children's Museum, of course – a perfect venue to honor Columbia Sportswear and Providence Health Plans for their support of parks and park programs that enrich the lives of our city's children and families.

**(from left) Executive Director Linda Laviolette, Board Chair Randy Sell and Board Member Mary Bune at the 2006 Legacy Circle Celebration**

The recognition event included appetizers and dinner for 130 guests, donated by some of Portland's most notable restaurants: Jake's Catering (for the fourth year in a row!), Oba Restaurante and Paragon Restaurant (their second Legacy Circle event), with Olea and The Daily Cafe joining the team this year. Partners including REI and Nike contributed to our silent auction, as they have in years past.

Fortunately The Oregonian was there to capture the evening's excitement. Photos and a write-up of the event appeared in its October Downtown Monthly supplement and the October 28 Scene & Heard section of the daily paper.

Thanks again to all the businesses, organizations and individuals who donated their time, talent, space and tools. We're pleased to say that their help makes this event almost entirely pro bono!

GRATITUDE'S RIPPLE EFFECT
Doug Macy, Principal of Walker Macy, believes in planting the seeds of dedication and commitment, both figuratively and literally.

Macy has been involved with the Portland Parks Foundation from the very beginning, when he discovered that our mission reflected what he always thought the city needed – help to improve park-deficient neighborhoods and outreach to less fortunate kids.

**(from left) Doug Macy and Bruce Berning at the 2006 Legacy Circle Celebration**

With Holly Farm Park, he saw an opportunity to "create a culture of community service" within his firm and to share the joy of giving back. When presented with the idea, several staff members stepped up with enthusiasm to commit their time and special abilities.

Today, Walker Macy has contributed more than $45,000 in pro bono design services to Holly Farm Park, and the seed that Doug Macy planted in his firm has grown into a new spirit of dedication to the community. After Holly Farm was underway, Walker Macy team members were inspired to help with new projects, creating landscape design for a Ronald MacDonald House and women's shelters. Doug Macy also now serves on the Portland Parks Foundation board, another benefit of the firm's involvement.

In a future e-newsletter, we will celebrate the other businesses who have contributed services and materials to Holly Farm Park. Construction is about to begin, and the park is scheduled for completion in summer 2007.

ROOM TO GROW
As much as we'd love to work out of one of our parks, running a foundation actually requires phones, outlets and conference rooms. That's where Tonkon Torp, the Portland-based law firm, comes in.

We're fortunate that Tonkon Torp has donated office space to the Portland Parks Foundation since its inception nearly five years ago, and has given us room to grow to a staff of three. This is possible thanks to Brian Booth – a founding partner of the firm – who also serves on the Foundation's Leadership Council. Additionally, Tonkon Torp contributes supplies, equipment and a phone system, as well as beautiful conference rooms that help us put a gorgeous public face on our organization.

Physical needs aside, the Foundation is fortunate to also benefit from Tonkon Torp's brainpower. Partner Bruce Berning (pictured above) served on our board from 2002 to 2006 and donated dozens of hours of pro bono legal support. Bruce was motivated to volunteer because he believes "our parks are key to making Portland such a great place to live," and that they, "have a positive and important impact on the lives of Portland youth."

With its deep Portland roots, Tonkon Torp recognizes and encourages their staff to give back, resulting in several attorneys who offer pro bono work to the Foundation. Our newest board member, Mark Cushing, who just returned to Portland and Tonkon Torp, immediately took on a leadership role with our park stewardship campaign.

AND ROOM TO PLAY
The Portland Parks Foundation's elegant logo and inspirational promotional materials were designed by board member Pat Johnson and her firm, NORTH (formerly JohnsonSheen). As Pat says, "Public parks fulfill the need within each of us to play, to get outside, to take a moment, to run freely, to enjoy nature and to be a kid (again). Supporting parks keeps one of our truly treasured Portland legacies accessible to all."

To learn more about the Portland Parks Foundation, visit our web site at www.portlandparksfoundation.org, or call us at 503.802.5757.

**Carol Kekez and Mauricio Villarreal of Walker Macy**
A standing ovation for those who stand by us
A deep bow to the generous in-kind donors who have helped us spread the word about our work: Clear Channel Outdoor for billboards TriMet for bus advertising And those who donated their time, services and materials to plan and get the word out for our Legacy Circle Celebration: Pinch. A Design Office. ADPRINT Company Infinity Images Mary Bune, Foundation board member and Legacy Circle Celebration chairwoman, and her incredible volunteer committee (Nancy Bean, Sue Percy and Jami Winston) for their ongoing commitment






Pictured below are guests at our 2006 Legacy Circle Celebration (named from left to right). Scott Welch and Peter Bragdon of Columbia Spotswear