Brides Against Breast Cancer collect and sell THOUSANDS of wedding gowns a year

Thrift store.  Used clothing sale.  Rummage sale.  Quick, what images come to mind?

Vera Wang?  Didn’t think so.

But it’s the case in Beaverton this week.  Brides Against Breast Cancer will hold their biggest used gown sale of the year.

The concept started several years ago and has grown into a nationwide effort.  Brides have their big day and then, rather than stuffing the tule and lace into a box on the top shelf of their closet, they donate it to BABC.  The gowns are then sold at a significant discount and the money goes to Breast Cancer patients.

Win-Win-Win.

We love those.

For info on the sale or to donate your own gown (head’s up, it has to be a 2005 or later model) go here.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

For those of us in Portland, a medical emergency is a terrifying thought … but we know that if we are ever in need of that kind of help, there are several hospitals, ambulances and EMTs a few minutes away. 

But what if they weren’t?  Imagine you lived in one of the more rural pockets of the state and needed medical help fast. 

It turns out that most rural medical emergency staff are volunteers who have to pay for their own training.  And with the current economic crunch, those volunteers are being squeezed tighter than ever.

The Apple  A Day campaign is hoping to change that.  They’re asking donors kick in $365 a piece (or a buck a day . . . roughly the cost of one piece of fruit) to offer scholarships and stipends to these wonderful volunteers.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Here’s a hang up that faces many people.  You get fired, laid off, furloughed or lose your job in some other circumstance and apply for unemployment.

You get approved, but in order to draw that weekly check you have to spend 40 hours a week looking for work.  Sounds fair.  but what if you have a highly specialized skill set and no one in your field is hiring?  You either have to find a job outside your field or risk running out of benefits as you chase cold job leads.

Or is there a third option?

There is (of course you knew that was coming).

The Self Employment Assistance Program allows people to build their own business while drawing their unemployment benefits.  If you qualify and have an idea that passes inspection by small biz coaches, you can turn 100% of your attention to building that company.

For more info, go here.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Do you know the difference between a tax DEDUCTION and a tax CREDIT?  Neither did we.

A deduction cuts down on your TOTAL taxable income.  So if you make 30K … and have 5K deduction . . . the government only taxes you on 25K.

A CREDIT counts against your total bill.  So if you owe 25K in taxes . . . and have a 5K credit . . . you only write a check for 20K.

So why a tax lesson on a blog about good news?  because Thursday marks the anniversary of the Oregon Cultural Arts Tax Credit.  Donations to the Oregon Cultural Trust are tax credit worthy.  So you can support great groups like the Portland Actor’s Conservatory and save big bucks come mid-April.  For more info, check out this link.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Good ideas are great.  Volunteers making sure that good ideas actually HAPPEN (even if there’s no funding) are even better.

At the Jason Lee K-8 school, about 80% of the kids are on free and reduced lunch.  They get done with school in the early afternoon and need something constructive to fill the time before mom and dad get home.

Josh Springer had the brilliant idea to start a SUN-school community center . . . but the money wasn’t available.  So, as a new addition to the Jason Lee team he focused on what they COULD do.  And his idea was a simple tutor club.  Kids meet after school for help with their homework, and, at the same time, get some one-on-one time with positive older role models.

In a perfect world, there would be cash to pay a staff to work with these kids.  But we don’t live in a perfect world.

Or do we?

Springer says volunteers (a mix of local high school kids and community members) have been POURING in to help with the program.  Springer says he hopes that the successful program will help kids already slipping behind in this young school year, catch up and stay with their classes.

They have more space available so if you’re interested contact Springer here.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

There are still a few seats available for the big Ronald McDonald House fundraiser this weekend but they are going fast.  Guests will dine on top-fare at The Nines hotel while bidding on all kinds of great prizes (we’re particularly curious about the Need for Speed package which includes a ride in an airplane and race car).

To get one of the last tickets, go here.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Janie Marsh - Goodwill's National Graduate of the Year

Every year, Goodwill honors one person who goes through their job training program with the Graduate of the Year honor.  It’s tough to earn.  In fact, the plaque has never even visited the west coast.

That is until now.

Janie Marsh brought the recognition right to Oregon for her years of hard work towards a goal of a better life.

Drinking and drugs started early for Marsh and she quickly found herself in and out of jail, focused only on getting her next fix.  But, when she landed in Coffee Creek correctional institute, she connected with a Goodwill training program.

Once she got her freedom back, she kept and maintained a job and began pursuing an education.  Now, she’s headed for a degree from the UO (with help from merit-based scholarships no less) in Landscape Architecture.

Way to go Janie Marsh!

For more info on the Good Work GoodWill does, go here.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

All of New Cascadia Traditional's goodies are gluten free

As the economy continues to hit the snooze alarm, we here at GNPDX like to highlight businesses that are doing well in Portlandia.  You don’t get much better than New Cascadia Traditional.

It started as a once a week stand at one of the Portland farmer’s markets a few years.  Then, they added a second farmers market.  Then a kiosk in north west PDX.  Now, a full service coffee shop in SE with plans to start wholesale operations soon.

Nifty, huh?

Even cooler, New Cascadia’s products are all gluten free so completely safe for anyone with a wheat allergy (there’s some vegan fare to be had as well).

Not to be biased, the GNPDX has had the chance to sample their treats and believes that the cupcakes served at NCT are better than anyone in town.  Period.

Don’t believe us?  Check it out for yourself at the GRAND OPENING Friday from 8-5.  Details are here.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Here’s an idea.  Joe is an attorney and has a light work load right now.  But he really could use some personal training.  Sally is a personal trainer with only a half-full client load, but she needs help around her house.  Jackson is a carpenter with some spare time, but wants to update his will.

Would be kinda nifty if this trio could workout a three-way trade, right?

Now they can at Dibspace.  The online barter system uses Dibits as a type of currency.  Users earn and spend dibits helping each other and in just a few months, it’s gathered thousands of users in Seattle.

The system is starting to get a foothold in PDX.  For more info, check out their site.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

The Oregon Re-modelers Assoc has pitched in to help Make A Wish in the past, but for the first time, they’re inviting the foundation to the big Re-modeler’s Show.  At a special auction gala, people can bid on tons of packages like a garage or kitchen make over while dining on top-quality fare and free drinks.

For more info on getting in to the party, go here.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites