PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Timbers today announced the awarding of $30,000 in grants through the Portland Timbers Community Fund (PTCF) to six youth-focused, non-profit organizations in the greater-Portland area.
In partnership with PTCF Founding Partners Alaska Airlines, Burgerville, JELD-WEN and PGE, the announced grants were given to Camp Fire Columbia, Green Empowerment, Harper’s Playground, Oregon Youth Soccer Association’s TOPSoccer Program, Playworks and SMART.
The funding that Camp Fire Columbia received will assist with their school-based program in the David Douglas School District.
Green Empowerment will use their funds to expand a water filter program to 25 families in the remote Peruvian village of Accha Alta and its neighboring communities to help address pervasive health problems.
Harper’s Playground will put the dollars toward its mission, which is to build community by providing an inclusive playground structure at Arbor Lodge Park where children and adults of all abilities can play together.
The grant to OYSA’s TOPSoccer Program will be used to purchase specialized developmental equipment for the TOPSoccer program, including oversized balls for kids in wheelchairs; balls with bells inside for blind children; special portable, inflatable goals and specialized equipment designed for helping to develop the strength and coordination of children with disabilities.
Playworks received a grant to improve education and health, and provide organized soccer opportunities for 5,800 low-income children in 14 Portland Public Schools every school day.
SMART’s gift will go to funding the Metro Area Program, which will serve 2,580 children in 65 schools in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties during the 2010-11 school year.
The Timbers and their Founding Partners are thrilled to have contributed to such amazing organizations in our community.
“We are pleased to carry on the Timbers’ legacy of philanthropy to great local causes through grants like these,” said Merritt Paulson, president of the Timbers. “One of our core principles is our commitment to giving back to the community.”
The PTCF has set an aggressive goal to donate more than $100,000 to youth-focused initiatives each year.
An advised fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, the PTCF supports charitable, non-profit organizations that fall under one of the following areas of focus: Youth education, specifically the K-12 grade levels; Youth soccer-related projects; Childhood obesity; Environmental awareness and activism with youth and families.
For more information about the PTCF, visit http://www.portlandtimbers.com/community/fund.
