The Oregon Convention Center (OCC) considers community service among its top business priorities and to demonstrate its commitment to the local community and those struggling during difficult economic times, the entire staff spent part of the day yesterday preparing food baskets for the Portland Police Bureau’s Sunshine Division.
Employees collected over 600 cans of vegetables at its staff retreat on December 14 to help stock 2,500 food baskets for area families in need. Individually decorated gift tags to accompany the baskets were also created by OCC staff during a team-building activity.
“Charitable activities have long been a part of our staff retreats at the convention center,” said OCC executive director Jeff Blosser. “Since we opened twenty years ago, our employees have been committed to serving those who are less fortunate than us, and we consistently find that these activities are, by far, the most popular and in demand.”
“Making food basket gift cards”: Assistant operations manager Paul Stanley and coworkers create gift cards to accompany Sunshine Division food baskets
Past all-staff retreats included a full day of interior and exterior refurbishing of the facilities used by Kinship House, a local nonprofit organization serving children and families in foster care. In recognition of the convention center’s 20th anniversary earlier this year, the OCC’s business note cards are now adorned with artwork from children staying at Kinship House. Employees have also decorated and delivered holiday trees to families in need in past winter staff retreats.
Serving the community is also a part of OCC’s business activities. Last month, the convention center partnered with the Oregon Dental Association in its free, two-day dental clinic that served thousands of uninsured individuals in need of care. Convention center space was donated to the cause and many other costs were drastically reduced so the event could be free to participants.
“At Metro, we strive to demonstrate six key organizational values each and every day, public service being one of them,” said Teri Dresler, general manager of visitor venues. “I can’t think of a more concrete example than the charitable activities the Oregon Convention Center incorporates into their business and staff activities.”
