Women’s business event to benefit Friends of Trees

By Julee Wasserman

When I moved to Portland nearly 20 years ago I was so impressed by all the beautiful green surrounding me.

I learned about Friends of Trees through a friend and quickly became a volunteer.

I always enjoyed getting up early on a Saturday to meet up with the other volunteers and staff at Friends of Trees to plant trees. Yes, we got wet and muddy and my muscles were sore at the end of the day—but I loved it!

I met three of my best friends through this wonderful organization and I always smile when I see a newly planted tree on a curb.  While I have since moved two hours from Portland, I still visit Portland regularly. Four years ago I began organizing the Women’s Business Showcase to support local women in business.

This was a great venue for networking, and participants have had much success from these showcases.

Like Friends of Trees, I love supporting local people, businesses and nonprofits.  I chose Friends of Trees as the recipient of our silent auction funds for our April 17 showcase since Earth Day was my focus for this 4th Annual Showcase.

‘What better local organization would benefit from this?’  I thought.

The Women’s Business Showcase is free to the public and will take place Saturday, April 17, at McMenamins Kennedy School from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the silent auction will be donated to Friends of Trees.

For more information or to reserve a vendor table, please email [email protected] or call 541-806-1075.

Wasserman is the owner and proprietor of Gorgetours.com and is organizing the 2010 Women’s Business Showcase