Blog

Volunteer Spotlight: Jeanette Thomas

Jeanette Thomas has seen firsthand the incredible need there is for decent, affordable housing in Portland. A financial supporter of Habitat since moving to Portland in 1997, she recently decided to give in a different way: as a volunteer. “I volunteer because I believe that I need to give back to my community and because […]

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How to triple your impact through Employee Matching Gift Programs

What are corporate matching gift programs? Have you made a donation to Habitat in the last twelve months? You may be able to double or triple the impact of your donation if your company has a corporate matching gift program! Corporate matching gift programs are charitable giving programs set up by corporations in which the […]

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Volunteer Spotlight: Garry Schuman

After volunteering weekly for over a year, this past January dedicated regular Garry Schuman opted for a new kind of Habitat experience. Leaving Portland’s gray skies behind, Garry joined Habitat staff, board members, friends and spouses on his first Global Village volunteer trip to our sister affiliate in sunny Guaymango, El Salvador. Over the course […]

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Bank of America Helps Habitat Build Better

For over two decades, Bank of America has consistently been one of Habitat for Humanity’s biggest supporters. They have generously sponsored numerous homes for hardworking families in the Portland Metro area and continue to support Habitat’s mission of building decent, affordable houses for low-income residents. This year, Bank of America is sponsoring a home for […]

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Volunteer Spotlight: Joni Portmann

Joni Portmann is no stranger to paying it forward. After a fire raged through her family’s coastal dairy farm as a child, neighbors gathered every day to help them rebuild—even after working full days on their own farms. A year ago and on the brink of retirement from her 36-year-long career as a dental hygienist, […]

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Portland Habitat Builds Homes in El Salvador

As a part of Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village program, Habitat staff, board members, and friends joined together for an unforgettable trip to El Salvador to build homes with local homeowners. Led by Construction Supervisor Rob Cunningham, the group spent two weeks in Guaymango, El Salvador building the foundation of a home with future homeowners […]

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Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East Named One of Oregon’s Most Admired Nonprofits

In January, Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East was named by the Portland Business Journal as one of Oregon’s most admired nonprofit organizations. In an award ceremony at the Portland Hilton Ballroom, more than 750 business leaders gathered together to honor companies and nonprofits alike, and Habitat took home one of the day’s most prestigious honors. […]

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Senator Jeff Merkley Makes a Visit to Habitat

Just prior to the Christmas holiday weekend, Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East received word that US Senator Jeff Merkley would be stopping by. This year, Senator Merkley and his daughter Brynne challenged each other to complete an Ironman triathlon, and to raise money for local nonprofits in the process. They chose three organizations, including Habitat […]

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The Merello family is home for the holidays

The Merello family is home for the holidays Story by Kathy Oxborrow Lluvia Merello was only three when her family moved to the United States from Peru. Escaping from domestic violence, Lluvia’s mother relocated her four children to California where Lluvia’s grandmother lived. “We camped in my grandmother’s backyard when we first arrived,” said Lluvia. […]

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Volunteer Spotlight: Sarah McDonagh

Sarah McDonagh has been volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Portland Metro East since June of 2016. She first got involved with Habitat her Freshman year of college where she went on a service trip to work the with the Spokane affiliate. As a student at Portland State, she wanted to stay involved with Habitat and […]

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