Ifish Christmas Party! Dec 1st!!!!

[Jennie@ifish]

The Annual Christmas Party will be December 1st 2009 at Pietro's Pizza in Milwaukie, Oregon from 5-8(ish) PM!

Pietro's Pizza Restaurant
10300 SE Main Milwaukie
503.659.7770




The biggest event of the year... our "Christmas For Kids" party, will be December 1st.

Credit Card Donations can be called into Lynn at 503.413.4141
If you would like to make a donation to the Ifish Holiday Toy Drive, please make your check payable to Emanuel Children’s Hospital Child Life Fund and send it to PO Box 4484, Portland, OR 97208. We will send you a receipt for your gift. Thank you!

I am putting my heart and soul into this function, this year, as always! There are so many sad things going on with our economy, so many things that are difficult in our society, and so much unrest and stress during the election.

I just think that we all need something GOOD to do. Don't you?

Think of all the kids and their families that have REAL problems. Imagine waking up, as a child, in a hospital and worrying that Santa won't find you.

Let's help!

This is a family event. We welcome EVERYONE, your family, your friends! We all bring new toys for the kids. It's SO fun!

We have volunteers and always needs more! Want to do something really worthwhile, this Christmas? I have no little ones at home, anymore. This is where I get my Christmas spirit! You'll get back more than you'll ever know!

Want to watch what it's like? I cry, every time. We are blessed by Linda, who does these awesome videos!

2005

2006

2007

Thanks!
Jen

Below is all pertinent information!

It's that time again! Ho Ho Ho!
Please join us for the Christmas for Kids party on December 1st!
Like every year, we will be gathering unwrapped Christmas presents for the Emanuel Foundation office, for children at the hospital there. I believe that this is our sixth(?) annual Christmas party. Is that right?

ifish.net members get together before Christmas, eat lots of pizza, and collects toys and monetary donations for Emanuel Children's Hospital Fund. This is probably ifish's most special and gratifying function. There are always lots of tears of joy and happiness. It's a real 'feel good' event!
If your Christmas is lacking, or you want to teach your children what Christmas is all about, come, and bring your kids!

A note from Jessica at Emanuel Foundations:
Quote:
The hospital can be a scary place for our kids, we do our best to make our hospital "kid friendly" but it is donations from groups such as yours that enable us to give our kids and their families things to look forwarded to, distractions from the fears that came with their time in the hospital. The job of a child is to play.... our kids deserve to play...your gifts let them do just that!
Thank you so much for your willingness to continue bringing joy to our hospital! -Jessica

Again... the event will be will be held at Pietro's Pizza in Milwaukie, Oregon on December 1st from 5ish to 8ish!
Pietro's can handle 250 people, and will give us most of the entire room this year.

Pietro's Pizza Restaurant
10300 SE Main Milwaukie
503.659.7770



I talked to Sally (the lady in charge at Emanuel) about what they really need. Baby toys, things to do while IN bed, such as those fuzzy posters, paint by number, legos, games, cards, dolls and stuffed toys.

Click here for the list of gifts you should be shopping for!

Please post any suggestions or questions, below. We want everyone involved. It's a real "feel good" event for all!

Credit Card Donations can be called into Lynn at 503.413.4141
Please let her know that this is from www.ifish.net members.
Emanuel Hospital will be taking donations, by accepting checks made out to "Emanuel Children's Hospital Foundation" (DO NOT MAKE THEM OUT TO IFISH, PLEASE!!!) sent to:

Ifish Kids Christmas Fund
C/O Lynn Hallbacka
Emanuel Foundations
2801 N. Gantenbein Ave.
Portland, OR 97227
503.413.4141

Pete is the head of Transportation, again!
If you want to sign up to help, contact Pete for the Transportation crew, loading the truck and unloading! Drop a note to SANTA@mcube.net
My brother usually donates a truck from General Transportation. Gary Cheney is from Bullet Freight driver and is a very nice guy who has been donating his time to drive for the function. He takes time out of his free time to do this for the kids each year!
Ifish will need a team of guys to load the truck and to drive to Emanuel that night, deliver, and unload. This is a very gratifying job! You'll be glad you did it, if you do!

We would LOVE to have a coordinator head for general tasks, such as desk manager, where you fill out name tags upon entry. (This is a great job, because you get to meet and greet all ifishers! If we had four of them, doing shifts, it would be awesome! That way, one half hour of meeting and greeting, and the rest, eating pizza and having fun!

We'll need a photographer, if anyone is interested in and can make good movies to save from the event.

If you would like to help, or participate in any way to make this a better event, please write Jennie or Pete. If anyone else wants to be in charge of something, let us know!

The basic overview is this. People start arriving before 5 PM to eat. There will be a "registration" table near the entrance where people can get a name tag and buy Ifish items. If they have presents to contribute to the kids, they will be directed to take them to the alcove, straight to the back of the dining area where we will create a mountain of gifts. It would be nice to keep the mountain somewhat orderly so people can see the variety of things donated and to permit at least one nice picture of the booty.

At about 7 PM we will start preparing the gifts for transport. Smaller items should be loaded into boxes or bags (I'm not sure yet which it will be.) and sealed with masking tape. The quantity of items put into the bag should be written on the masking tape because we want to keep a tally of how many items are donated.

At about 7:30 PM, we will start loading the truck. As each item is placed in the truck, the quantity number should be conveyed to the official counter (We still need a volunteer!) - our master accountant for the evening.

When the truck is loaded, it will be driven north on 99E to NE Russell street and around to the Emergency Entrance of Legacy Emanuel Hospital. We'll need some help unloading, so if you can, please meet us at the hospital. Parking is available in the surface lot near the Emergency entrance.

Note that the registration people will work in sequence in pairs, for short periods. There will be a sign up schedule on the main board of Ifish - first sign up, first serve. That will give everyone a chance to eat and chat. The loaders will "hover", but mainly work towards the end of the evening.

Resident ifisher Hogmaster says of the event:
Quote:
It was EXTREMELY gratifying to do it last year, and I believe some other ifishers should have the opportunity to see how happy Jessica and the other hospital staff are when those toys roll up! It really makes you understand how much impact the gifts are going to have on people who are otherwise having a pretty lousy holiday season.

It is without hesitation that I recommend that anyone volunteer for the delivery. You won't be disappointed!
HO! HO! HO! a little early!

[shinook65]

Can't wait!

[Jennie@ifish]

ME NEITHER! Please help me by keeping this to the top, k? That means YOU! Anyone! EVERYONE! If you find it floating down towards the bottom of the page, bump it with some cheery bumps! LOL

[PapaHog]

Happy with all the choices. I am excited too. Love this event and love even more being part of putting a smile on the faces at the Hosptal.

My vote was for the 3rd.

[gonfishenagin]

I can make any of those days but my lovely Bride can only make the 1st she works the 2nd and 3rd so we vote the 1st

[Jennie@ifish]

Bump to the top! Nope! I'm pinning it! Please help us out by helping to choose the date!

[Thumper]

I voted for the 1st. Vancouver's DU event is on the 3rd, and that is too much fun to miss...

[Gundog]

I can't make any of those days I don't get off till 7 the 4th would work but it is not one of the choices.

Mike

[Snug 2]

Looking forward to it no matter what day.

[Jet-Man]

SORRY!
I can't make it.
The wife works and can't take off.

[ampersat]

Rats, I can't unvote. I picked the 2nd only to find out that it's running in last place. I can't do the 3rd but can definitely be there on the 1st.

Folks, this is THE BEST thing to kick off December. Good friends, good food and it's all for a darned good cause.

[OceanBlue]

Ah heck! This will be the first one I'll miss. On a happy note, it's because Andy and I will be in Cabo!!

[JustCallMeDave]

Choose a date? Dibs on Scarlett Johansson.

[Rank Amateur]

1st works for me, finally! Doesn't look like this got pinned yet.

[Kevin2023]

Any of those days works for me

[Jennie@ifish]

I added the fourth for all of you (gundog!) that can't make the other three days. Let's see how it goes!

Jen

[Gundog]

Thanks Jennie too bad I had already voted the 3rd. If I go on the other days I would get there after everything was over but I will come bring my gifts no matter what I just like to visit and see my Ifish friends.

Mike

[DAB]

I fish Christmas party

[CATCH AND EAT]

Pick a day and they will come. Merry Christmas

[Jennie@ifish]

It looks to be the 3rd!

[PapaHog]

I will be there. Looking forward to this event. Already buying toys.

[thresher]

I actually think ill get to make it this year as well!

[smoltcatcher]

thats my day off. so i can be there with my wife and son. missed it last year. cant wait. they just opened a oddlots just down the street from me. they have some great deals on toys. already went there today. you can count the schwindt family inn. greg.

[Kevin2023]

I will be there unless I miraculously find a job and have to work

[ChrisCurtis]

jennie,
has this date been locked in for sure? i thought the poll was open until the 18th??
if anyone cares, the WA clam tide is scheduled for that Fri/Sat. some people might like to leave the Thu before............that's why i voted for the 2nd.........

[Jennie@ifish]

The date is locked in, yes, as this date works for the people at Pietros and that's kinda important.
The date for the poll was open until it was decided what worked for most of the folks.

[Thumper]

Too bad. Hopefully there aren't too many Ifishers that are going to the Vancouver DU dinner on the third.

[Jennie@ifish]

Too bad indeed, Jack! That is a tough one as both events are so important! It's unfortunate it wasn't put on our calendar!

[Drachir]

I wish it were a different date too Jack.
It happens to be the same day of the Civil War Game. Oregon vs Oregon State @ Autzen Stadium 6PM Kick-Off.

[Jennie@ifish]

Hm... this could be a serious problem, with the game. Although.. there IS a bigscreen TV there.

I think we should probably change it.
I'll work on it, tomorrow.
J

[Jennie@ifish]

I have some research to do. The cw is on a weekday night, this year? Bizarre!

[BillH]

Dear Jennie"

Changing the Christmas party from December 3 toTues. Dec. 1st is an excellent choice. As you discovered, Thursday Dec. 3 at 6:00 PM is the start of the Uof O vs. OSU "Civil War". I'm afraid that having the Christmas partyat the same time would cause about 33-50 percent loss of attnedance.

Love,

Bill H

[Jennie@ifish]

Either that, or we could have a heck of a party!


Anyhow... we changed it, and I thank you for your sweet note!

Love,
Jennie

[gonfishenagin]

woo hoo now both the misses and I can attend

[Drachir]

Good Job Jen!!!

[Couch angler]

I'm still a toddler or wobbler, so uh, how does this work? RSVP? Don't know if I'll make it or not at this point, but... I think I could be available to ferry the plunder to the hosp. Or to unload, or...

Mike

[fyshndad]

Originally Posted by Couch angler

I'm still a toddler or wobbler, so uh, how does this work? RSVP? Don't know if I'll make it or not at this point, but... I think I could be available to ferry the plunder to the hosp. Or to unload, or...

Mike

simply show up at Pietros with a few toys , order pizza and enjoy a great time with fellow ifishers

I am sure there will be a request for some help when the time gets closer

[Jennie@ifish]

Just come on down, if you can! Pete will post soon regarding volunteers! If anyone wants to volunteer, let us know!

[b0bbyg]

I just stumbled across this thread.

What a great cause

Thanks Jennie for reminding us what we can do when we open our eyes and see the need.

[Jennie@ifish]

Y'all better show up, now! Ya hear?

[smalldog]

Originally Posted by Jennie@ifish

Y'all better show up, now! Ya hear?

Well Gosh,
That is too close for me to even come up with an excuse...I guess I will have to go shopping and show up too.

[Fast Water]

Suggestion:

I would like to see 2 or 3 "leaders" to take us over to the hospital instead of the truck and the ambulance (in the lead). If a person is 10 or 15 cars back (and do not know where you are going) (even with a map) (in the dark and rain) it is hard to keep up with team and know where to go after the first traffic light.

[Jennie@ifish]

I just spoke with Sally at Emanuel and she was so excited. She said every year she's afraid we won't call!

We called!

Anyhow, this year is especially tough on Emanuel with the economy and now with H1N1. So, we have to make this a good year. They won't be able to have a Christmas party but they will deliver all toys received, bedside to the children.

They have a bunch of rules this year. The hospital is closed to visitors, except for immediate family, due to the contagion factor.

Please, do your best to help us make this a great year for the kids!

Jen

[Dan360]

I will be there! I'm excited! Its my first I-Fish party! Time to go toy shopping!

[StevenB]

I feel lucky to live near by. See you there.

I'm also very proud of ifish and its members to be apart of this event.

Hunting & Fishing has expanded with ifish what it contributes to society.

StevenB

[Joe C]

I just started a new job in milwaukie 5 mins away, I'll be there!

[TTT boys]

Bump

[Dwutah]

Looking forward to meeting the Ifish gang.
God Bless
DW