North Coast Down Syndrome Buddy Walk...

September 22 - North Coast Down Syndrome, Seaside. The Annual Buddy Walk at Quatat Park was a great event to help support those with special needs such as Down Syndrome. I met so many amazing children who need the help and support of such a wonderful organization. Thank you, North Coast Down Syndrome Network and those who came to support such a worthy cause. You can continue to help as a sponsor or volunteer by clicking the link below!

Click here to learn more about the North Coast Down Syndrome Network

National MIA/POW Day...

September 21 - Vancouver, Washington at the Veterans of Affairs Vancouver Campus. I had the honor of attending this very special event that honors prisoners of war (POW) and missing in action (MIA) along with my older brother who is an Iraqi veteran. I had the opportunity to speak to these brave men and women who have sacrificed so much, all I could say was thank you! My brother always tells me to thank the soldiers/veterans that came before him. The reason he tells me this is because he truly believes these men and women have paved the much needed path for his generation of veterans and/or soldiers to get the services they all deserve! I also had the privilege of listening to Former Mayor Royce Pollard (Mayor of Vancouver 1996-2009; Lt. Col., U.S. Army Retired; Former Commander of Vancouver Barracks; Purple Heart Recipient, Vietnam Veteran) and Dale Bowlin (70th Infantry Division, Europe, WWII; Wounded in France February 1945; POW, Germany February-April 1945) speak of their experiences serving our great country. It was an privilege to spend this very special day with not only my brother, but so many honorable veterans! 

Beaches Cruise-In...

September 19 - Portland, Oregon at the Portland International Raceway. I had a great time at one of the largest cruise-ins on the west coast! The profits of this event all go to help local kids in need! I had the pleasure of being able to attend this particular cruise-in that featured the Multnomah Hot Rod Council (which is a great sponsor of the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program). Thank you so much to both Beaches and MHRC for inviting me to such a fun filled event!

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Event...

September 19 - Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Event sponsored by the Panther Racing Team at Portland International Raceway. I had the privilege to meet Major General Rees, a Vietnam Veteran and current General for the Oregon National Guard, Sgt. Amy Elker, Captain Howard and Sgt. Cory Grogan of the Oregon National Guard. This was an amazing event which helped to promote and encourage hiring National Guard veterans. I also had the opportunity to meet Arie Luyendyk, Jr., IndyCar driver and candidate on "The Bachelorette Season 8".  I was able to put on the gear of a professional race car driver and accompany Arie in a few laps around the track. I was in for a surprise, no one told me I would be going at the speed of 170 mph!  Thank you Arie! I would also like to thank Cambia Health who recently started a paid internship program in an effort to hire more veterans and The Oregon National Guard's Reintegration Team who helped facilitate the event. 

Portland Veterans Hospital Tour...

September 17 – The Portland Veterans Hospital Tour with Shaun Benson where, as the wall states when you enter “The price of freedom is visible here".  The Portland VA Medical Center is the largest VA in the state and provides health care services to Veterans in Oregon and Southwest Washington. The following day the Joint Commission recognized PVAMC as a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures for our care for Heart Attacks, Heart Failure, Pneumonia, and Surgical Care. The Joint Commission is the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America.  Congratulations on your outstanding efforts to help and care for our veterans and thank you for such an information filled tour of your hospital!

Lines for Life, Military Helpline...

September 17 – Visit to Lines for Life where Military Helpline is staffed 24/7/365 by veterans and professional volunteers. They assist all active duty service members, veterans and their families with concerns including alcohol and drug abuse, domestic problems, financial difficulties, job challenges, emotional distress, Post Traumatic Stress, thoughts of suicide and other challenges.  From 2005 to 2010 service members took their own lives at a rate of approximately 1 every 36 hours. Today, a veteran takes their life every 80 minutes. This is an amazing group of volunteers who are independent of any branch of the military or government.  All conversations remain completely anonymous, and the service member or family member can talk with them without fear of repercussions.  As put so well by First Lady Michelle Obama “ These combat related mental health challenges are normal, natural human responses to the violence of war.  They are not in any way a sign of weakness, and they should never be a source of shame or cause for stigma.  But too often, they are misunderstood or misdiagnosed.” For more information on Lines for Life please follow the link below! 

Click here for information regarding Lines for Life

Talking Rain Event at "Sound Off!"...

September 15, Seattle, Washington – Spent a fun filled day with Mandy Schendel, Miss Washington at “Sound Off!” presented by EMP Museum in Seattle, WA. Talking Rain is an official sponsor for the event which is now in its 12th year. Sound Off! supports the local music scene by giving artists from different backgrounds an opportunity to showcase their talent, perform live and connect with the larger  artistic community. Thank you Talking Rain for letting us be a part of your 25^th year Celebration in conjunction with Sound Off!.

Portland VA Medical Center...

September 14 - Visit to Portland VA Medical Center to meet with Shaun Benson and Daniel Herrigstad. During this visit I had the opportunity to film a brief video promoting awareness and resources for Veterans combating PTSD with my older brother Brandon who served in Iraq for 15 months as a combat engineer in the 2nd Infantry. For more information on how you can volunteer or give to the VA please follow the link below! 

Click here to help our veterans!

Cranberry Festival and Parade...

September 9 & 10 – I spent a wonderful sunny weekend on the Oregon coast with the people of Bandon at the Cranberry Festival and Parade. I joined in on two rounds of a cranberry eating contest and met the cutest little boy who asked me, “Do you live in a castle and have a king?” I was also able to speak with some Bandon Vietnam veterans who reinforced how much our veterans need our support. My older brother always tells me how the Vietnam veterans paved the way for his generation to receive the help that they need, now I can see the truth behind his statements. Thank you Robin Koch, Colleen Showalter and the people of Bandon for your warm hospitality.  

Cranberry Pageant...

September 7 & 8 - Cranberry Festival & Pageant Bandon, Oregon – Our first official pageant in Oregon, Miss Cranberry, 2013.  I met the final five amazing, warm hearted young women who competed for the title of Miss Cranberry Festival 2013.  An official platform was chosen called “Feed the Hungry in Bandon” and each of these women took one branch of the organization to represent their own platform.  In hearing each one of these women speak I again realized how important this program is for young women today.  Each one was able to touch the lives of so many through their personal platform.  Congratulations to Alexis Busso the new Miss Cranberry Festival 2013.  Alexis will represent Bandon at the Miss Oregon Pageant in July, 2013. 

Click here to find out how you can help feed the hungry in Bandon

The American Red Cross...

August 30 – Visit to the American Red Cross Pacific Northwest Regional Office. I have learned so much today and thank you to Daphne, Francisco, Paula, Nate, Rodney and Donna for the wonderful information packed interview and tour of your facility. This is an organization led by volunteers who do so much by providing relief to victims of disasters, helping people prepare for and respond to emergencies, blood services and they are an important liason between our solidiers in the military and their families. The American Red Cross always needs great people to give of their time and service. This is a great opportunity for those of you who may have a little extra time! For information on how to volunteer, follow the link below! 

Become a volunteer!