Ducks and Beavers and Blazers—
and Governors—
oh my! The 2009 Governors’ Gold Awards presented by KeyBank were supercharged with excitement this year with sports stars, captains of industry, philanthropy and politics, and other Oregonians of great stature and enthusiasm all shoulder-to-shoulder
in support of Special Olympics Oregon.NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton, Blazer greats Maurice Lucas, Bobby Gross, Bill Schonely, Harry Glickman; U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, and a fitting tribute to Eunice Kennedy Shriver from her friend, Gert Boyle of Columbia Sportswear, made for a magical evening at the annual gala celebrating greatness in Oregonians.
The 7th Annual Governors' Gold Awards also welcomed a new addition to the event —
The Oregon Experience Auction — to add even a little more spice to this year’s festivities. The auction featured Oregon-based experiences throughout the state that were kindly donated by individuals and companies in Oregon who hold Special Olympics Oregon athletes close to their hearts.
Fueled by The Oregon Experience Auction, a Civil War Football Experience live auction package donated by Reser’s Fine Foods, and timely paddle raises from corporate and individual supporters to get the ball rolling,
the event raised $130,000 for Special Olympic Oregon’s year-round and statewide sports programs. This year’s event celebrated Oregon’s Sesquicentennial by honoring eight extraordinary Oregonians and Oregon companies spanning 133 years of service to our state. Awardees for 2009 were:
• Dave Frohnmayer
• The Standard
• Hoffman Construction Company
• Patricia C. “Patsy” Smullin
• Michael Nelson
• The 1977 Portland Trail Blazers NBA Championship Team
• Powell’s Books
• LAIKA, Inc.
In addition, Governor Victor Atiyeh was honored by his fellow governors, Barbara Roberts, John Kitzhaber and Ted Kulongoski, with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Shining stars of the night also included the 12 athletes, 4 coaches and 2 Law Enforcement Torch Runners from the Oregon delegation of the U.S.A. Team that represented the state at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Idaho. They helped register guests, greet governors and show the audience throughout the night that Special Olympics Oregon and its athletes are focused on abilities.
Other Highlights included:
• The University of Oregon Fighting Duck and Oregon State’s Bennie the Beaver put rivalry aside for the night and fired up the crowd during Mr. Reser’s Civil War Rivalry live auction package
• U.S. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon made a surprise visit to the podium to speak of the mission of Special Olympics Oregon and called upon all in attendance to join him in supporting the organization and its spirit of inclusion for people of all ages and abilities.
• Bill Walton greeted all comers during the auction and during the night with a smile, kind words, hand shakes and hundreds of personalized photo opps before he took the mike—speaking from his heart about his desire to regrow his Oregon roots and help Special Olympics Oregon and other organizations succeed.
Special thanks for a wonderful evening goes out to The 2009 Governors Gold Awards Sponsors:
KeyBankThe StandardAequitas Capital Management
R.B. Pamplin Corporation
Fred MeyerNike, Inc.D.A. Davidson CompanyThe Portland Business JournalLes Schwab Tire CentersFounded in 1972, Special Olympics Oregon serves individuals statewide with intellectual disabilities – the largest disability population in the state that impacts one-in-five Oregon families. We empower our participants and inspire our communities on and off the field.
Every Year. Every Month. Every Day. Labels: 2009 Governors' Gold Awards, Bill Schonely, Bill Walton, KeyBank, Oregon Sesquicentennial, Portland Trail Blazers, Special Olympics Oregon, The Oregon Experience Auction
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Getting a Tax Refund? CHECK IT! Special Olympics Oregon is on the list of Oregon charities in the shaded Charitable Checkoff Donations box on your state tax forms this year.
