Trail Blazers Host Holiday Express
December 3, 2002
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The Blazers Community Builders employee volunteer program, including Trail Blazers players, coaches, staff, Blazers Alumni, the Portland Fire's Stacey Thomas, BlazerDancers, broadcasters and Wheel Blazers hosted the fifth annual Holiday Express.
Visions Unlimited Tree Farm in Albany, Oregon donated over 1,000 Christmas trees to the Blazers Community Builders Holiday Express, making it possible to provide a large volume of trees to low-income families in the Portland area.
The Trail Blazers partner with non-profit agencies such as Albina Head Start, Urban League of Portland and Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland, Community Transitional School and Central City Concern to give free Christmas trees to families in need during the holiday season.
During the event, pre-selected clients of nonprofit organizations redeemed a voucher for free trees, and the first 100 people who donated 10 pounds of food also received a tree.
"I've had a lot of fun. Just helping people pick a tree and them trying to get them into the cars is an experience," said Charles Smith.
Cutting Edge Concepts, the Trail Blazers food provider, provided free French toast and sausage breakfast to nearly 800 guests. Breakfast guests included children from Albina Head Start and the Salvation Army Moore Street preschool center, as well as Loaves & Fishes and local retirement home seniors.
The Trail Blazers also distributed trees to those who couldn't make it to the Rose Quarter Commons. Rasheed Wallace and his foundation distributed collected ornaments from his recent ornament drive.
In the afternoon, Chevy employees donated the time and trucks to deliver trees to non-profits all around Portland.
"This is a great thing. I love getting to talk to the kids and see them pick out their ornaments," said Rasheed. "They love looking at all the trees and then getting ornaments."
People who attended were treated to musical performances by choirs from Portland Public Schools.
The Blazers Community Builders employee volunteer program, including Trail Blazers players, coaches, staff, Blazers Alumni, the Portland Fire's Stacey Thomas, BlazerDancers, broadcasters and Wheel Blazers hosted the fifth annual Holiday Express.
Visions Unlimited Tree Farm in Albany, Oregon donated over 1,000 Christmas trees to the Blazers Community Builders Holiday Express, making it possible to provide a large volume of trees to low-income families in the Portland area.
The Trail Blazers partner with non-profit agencies such as Albina Head Start, Urban League of Portland and Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland, Community Transitional School and Central City Concern to give free Christmas trees to families in need during the holiday season.
During the event, pre-selected clients of nonprofit organizations redeemed a voucher for free trees, and the first 100 people who donated 10 pounds of food also received a tree.
"I've had a lot of fun. Just helping people pick a tree and them trying to get them into the cars is an experience," said Charles Smith.
Cutting Edge Concepts, the Trail Blazers food provider, provided free French toast and sausage breakfast to nearly 800 guests. Breakfast guests included children from Albina Head Start and the Salvation Army Moore Street preschool center, as well as Loaves & Fishes and local retirement home seniors.
The Trail Blazers also distributed trees to those who couldn't make it to the Rose Quarter Commons. Rasheed Wallace and his foundation distributed collected ornaments from his recent ornament drive.
In the afternoon, Chevy employees donated the time and trucks to deliver trees to non-profits all around Portland.
"This is a great thing. I love getting to talk to the kids and see them pick out their ornaments," said Rasheed. "They love looking at all the trees and then getting ornaments."
People who attended were treated to musical performances by choirs from Portland Public Schools.
