Metro's annual employee Charitable Giving campaign surpassed both of its primary goals. It not only saw 51 percent participation from across Metro in online pledges, it also exceeded its goal of $101,000 by raising $124,008. Metro employees were able to give to the charity organizations of their choice through payroll giving or a one-time online donation.
The 2017 campaign kicked off with an all-staff Chili Feed held at the Oregon Convention Center and was followed by an All-Metro Online Auction. Auction items included gift cards, gift baskets and a wide variety of employee-donated services - such as an hour of yard work, guitar lessons, computer tech time, and original artwork. All auction proceeds were split evenly among 13 charitable organizations.
Oregon Convention Center employees also held their own charity bake sale with all earnings going to the Children’s Trust Fund of Oregon.
"These employee donations have helped make the region a better place and give hope to those in need," said Paul Slyman, the 2017 Charitable Giving Campaign Chair. "These are the folks who may need a hot meal, a place to call home or the opportunity to be treated equally. These could also be the wounded Veterans who need essential services, the cats and dogs that have been abandoned, or the wild animals who need to keep their habitat whole and healthy."
The Oregon Convention Center is owned by Metro and managed by the Metro Exposition and Recreation Commission. OCC is a LEED Platinum certified facility hosting groups from around the world and bringing millions of dollars into the Portland and Oregon economy.