Last Tuesday’s Model the Way event was a gift and milestone for Lloyd EcoDistrict. Nearly 100 attendees gathered to celebrate our community’s progress and potential, and the event was a vibrant showcase of commitment and creativity.

The heart of last night’s event was not only the incredible turnout and the powerful stories shared by our nominees and winners (check back soon for a post all about our winners!) but also Mike Bennett’s remarkable artistic contribution. His live pollinator painting is always captivating, and his fun creations at the silent auction were a highlight, truly stealing the show.

Our commitment to sustainability was on full display, thanks to Bold Reuse, which helped us ensure the event was virtually waste-free—even with a full house enjoying homemade smores and custom cocktails served up by Harper and Grace with a smile. The AVENUE team’s outstanding visual setups and professional execution made our work look polished and impactful, bridging storytelling with high-quality presentation.

A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

Our Supporter and Advocate sponsors have been pivotal in doubling our board of directors and expanding our programming to weekly sessions. Special thanks to:

• HHPR, Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center, KPFF, Point West Credit Union, Radler White Parks and Alexander, Portland Trail Blazers, Bold Reuse, Covalent Architects, and Dennis 7 Dee’s for lighting the path for our collective endeavors.
• AVENUE—Our gracious host and a powerhouse in greening events in Portland’s Central City. They’ve significantly elevated our fundraising capabilities.
• American Assets Trust—A decade-long legacy partner whose dedication to our neighborhood is unmatched. Emily and Tonya’s teams are essential to our success.
• The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability—Their collaboration has expanded our reach across Portland, making a tangible difference in Lloyd and beyond.
• PacifiCorp—Reliable and responsive, Bob and the Pacific Power team are integral to big projects and everyday needs.
• Genentech—Beyond generous funding, Bill and his team have become true neighbors, enthusiastically participating in every community activity.

Together, these incredible partners helped us raise nearly $35,000, a 40% increase from last year, which will directly fuel our 2024 programs: the pollinator corridor, Lloyd cleanups, lending library, community gardens, and more.

Thank you to everyone who made Model the Way a remarkable event. Your support fuels our current programs and ignites the potential for new ones, fostering a more sustainable and connected community. Here’s to continuing our work together, inspired and ready to tackle whatever comes our way!

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Tags: Model the Way