Find out why this organization went from a big dinner last year, to a cozy backyard event this fall …
ROSE CDC supporters introduce their friends to the mission of the nonprofit at an October Foster-Powell Neighborhood house party.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Late last summer, ROSE Community Development Corporation celebrated their 20th year of “Revitalizing Outer South East” with a big banquet held in Lents.
> See: “Two decades of ROSE is celebrated at Lents dinner fête”: CLICK HERE.
As successful as that was, the board members of the Southeast nonprofit decided this year to hold smaller but more frequent events – such as the October 1st “house party” in the Foster-Powell neighborhood.
ROSE CDC Board Member and event host Beth Crane and ROSE Director Nick Sauvie welcome guests to the casual, low-key event.
“This evening, we’re getting community members together, and talking about the work that ROSE does,” commented Rose Community Development Corp. Executive Director Nick Sauvie. “And, we’re asking folks to support our work with donations.
“Our anniversary banquet was a large one,” Sauvie said, “but we decided to do something a little different this time. This house party is being held at the residence of one of our board members, who is hosting tonight.”
They went into it without fundraising goals, Sauvie told East Portland News. “But, we’ll definitely reach several people here who don’t know a whole lot about ROSE. Hopefully when they know about us, they will want to volunteer, donate, or find some other way to be involved.”
Volunteer Nick Burger readies dough to be made into pizza in a rented wood-fired pizza oven parked at the curb.
Also on our Front Page: Cameron Winchester, also a ROSE volunteer, checks a pizza – and indeed, it looks ready and delicious.
The hostess, ROSE CDC Board Member Beth Crane, said she’d decided on an Italian theme, so the food included pizza, freshly baked in a wood-fired oven, parked for the occasion at the curb.
“I really support the work of ROSE – especially their development of quality housing,” Crane explained.
“At one time in my life, I was the beneficiary of a similar program. I think it’s a great way to invest in families and communities. I was really happy to join the board, and help their work of making Southeast Portland a more affordable and welcoming place for families.”
Many people mix and mingle, and enjoy fresh pizza, while learning about ROSE CDC at this backyard Foster-Powell social event.
As the sun set that evening, guests mingled with ROSE staffers, and learned how they could become part of this organization.
To get connected with ROSE yourself, see their website: CLICK HERE to open their homepage.
© 2013 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News
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