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 (L-R) JAMIE WARINNER observes as Roshanda Sims-Norman presents check to Captain Rob Birks. |
BY FLORENCE B. ROBB –
Harold and Arlene Schnitzer, longtime Portland philanthropists, believe teenagers should have the opportunity to improve the quality of life in their communities and created the CommuniCare program for this purpose through their CARE Foundation.
In an environment where high schoolers could learn about the needs of their community through the grant-making process, the students requested program proposals, considered the value of each, and designated funds to those they felt merited support.
Their first assignment was to create a mission statement and raise $500. Upon accomplishing this, with Grant High School more than doubling that amount, the Schnitzer CARE Foundation made $10,000.00+ available to them to be used internally for their school’s greatest needs and externally for nonprofits matching their mission statement.
The Salvation Army Bright Beginnings Summer Day Camp program was one of those selected. At the award ceremony held recently at the Portland Art Museum, Captain Rob Birks, Moore Street Community and Worship Center corps officer, accepted $2,000 from the Grant High School CommuniCare students taught by Mrs. Karen Clark.
Sixteen community organizations in all, as well as some in-school activities, received more than $40,000 from Franklin, Grant, Lake Oswego and Tualatin High Schools through this program. Barbara Hall, administrator of the CARE Foundation, teachers of the respective student groups, and the students themselves benefited many by completing this assignment.