October 12, 2009

In late February of this year, the Luis Palau Association presented the City of Portland with a check to fund the Home Again Mentoring Program, helping homeless families transition into stable housing, and the Portland Schools Transition Center, working with young people to resume their education. The donation was part of the 2009 Season of Service, which was named America's "Best Service Project" by Reader's Digest.

The 2009 Season of Service, Portland's second, generated over 100,000 community service hours from more than 27,000 volunteers, surpassing the Palau Association's goal of 15,000 volunteers. Nearly 300 projects were completed, twice the Association's goal for the year.

On October 1st, Nick attended a gathering of more than 150 leaders from the faith community, along with Mayor Adams and Mayor Doyle of Beaverton. The group reflected on the past five months of Season of Service projects and talk about how best to address the needs of our communities in 2010. The October meeting was one of two yearly gatherings of area pastors focusing on the Season of Service.

Next year's Season of Service will begin in the Spring and last throughout the Summer, with opportunities for anyone with time to give to make a difference in our communities.