Portland, OR 97227
United States of America
On January 11, 2023 East Portland Rotary sponsored a Hospitality Training on Commercial Sex Trafficking Event at the Radisson Hotel Portland Airport. The nearly 50 hotel-motel staff members, visitors and Rotarians filled the room. Staff from twenty-one hotels and motels participated. Led by Portland Police Bureau officer Tim Larsen, Sr., retired Portland Police Bureau officer Mike Gallagher, Senior Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney JR Ujifusa and a local Survivor, attendees learned the dynamics of sex trafficking, how to prevent it in their locations, and how to assist law-enforcement in its efforts. This is the eleventh Training East Portland Rotary has sponsored, the first since the Covid pandemic. 
his is East Portland Rotary's Signature Service Project. It began 25 years ago when EPR Dave Vernon started it with a small group suggested by DHS. But it grew and grew over the years to where we were hosting it at Memorial Coliseum for 600 Foster Children annually! Dave stayed in charge, and then Brad Magee, and this year we have co-chairpersons in Sandy Sampeer and Melissa Meyers.WINE TASTING AND SALE PARTY
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It began as more of a social event back in 2009 or so. Platters of hors d'oeuvres and fellowship were big. But we tasted and sold wine and make a small profit ($800). This was donated to the East Portland Rotary Foundation. Pete Maring and John Martin led the way.
But in 2011, energetic EPR Ron Atwood took over and made it a main EVENT on the Rotary Calendar. The date was changed to September and Ron and Rebecca opened their fabulous home as the destination. Initially knowledgeable Rotarians, including Larry Salimena and John Howell, poured the wine and provided background. We now recruit professional wine experts from a local distributor to pour tastings of both local and international varieties. The sales have grown remarkably each year.
By September of 2022, the profit to our Foundation was $17,121 on sales of $35, 477! We were selling cases of fine wine to Rotarians and guests for the Holidays and year-long consumption.
This Event, behind the strong efforts of Ron Atwood and volunteers has become an annual major fundraiser for our Club. Come next year and sip and learn.
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