2022 Activities:
Support The Red Cross and Donate Blood
CIC’s Project for February
The CIC thought that because February is the month we give Valentines, and we are surrounded by many things that are red; we want to encourage our members to donate blood this month. The Red Cross reports that blood banks are currently experiencing an extreme shortage of blood and is seeking donors. To find out how to donate go to https://www.redcrossblood.org. Our local blood bank can be found at 3131 N. Vancouver Avenue, 97227. Go to the website or call 503-284-1234. Please consider giving something RED by donating blood to help increase the amount of blood available for others in our community.
Book Discussion
The Sum of Us What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together Author Heather McGhee gives a brilliant analysis of how we are divided and self-destructing, materially rich but spiritually starved and vastly unequal. McGhee, a descendant of enslaved people, is very much concerned with the situation of Black Americans, making clear that the primary victims of racism are the people of color who are subjected to it. “The Sum of Us” is predicated on the idea that little will change until white people realize what racism has
cost them too. We will meet in person or via zoom on Thursday, March 17th at 7:00PM.
Be a Volunteer at MLK Elementary School
~Help with Safety Patrol crossing at 8:15 and/or 3:00 for 15 minutes at MLK
and NE Going Streets
~Help in the Cafeteria at lunchtime to help teach kids how to compost.
~Help pass out Portland Backpack Bags on Friday afternoons.
Contact Stephanie at stephanievickers@me.com if any of these activities are of interest to you and you want to help at the school.
2021 Activities:
January
MLK Day of Service
Members worked in the community or at a beach clean-up.
February
The Social Justice Sub-Committee (SJC) of the CIC becomes a standing committee.
New members were invited to join the SJC.
DEI Book Shelf was set up in the lounge for member to share and check-out books.
March, April, July, October and December
Introduced Irvington Book Club
Discussions were held either via Zoom or in person and were supported by the CIC and SJC.
April
Donation drive to support Kids N Tennis’ Program (https://www.kids-n-tennis.org/)
Members donated money and tennis equipment.
The Club has a partnership with KNT that encourages matches between juniors. A Junior Tennis Run ladder has been set up for both groups. Guest fees waived for KNT who want to play.
May through September
Adopt One Block
Monitor and clean up block around the Irvington Club to NE Brazee and NE Thompson between 21st and 22ndAvenues
21st Ave. Roundabouts clean up and plantings
Working with City to get water turned on at the roundabout
Juniors voiced interest to get involved in this project in 2022.
June
Juneteenth Tennis Tournament (USTA sanctioned)
Some members participated in matches at the PTC and Grant courts.
June-July
City survey seeks input about city-wide tennis court usage.
Encouraged members to let City what to do with the courts in the parks.
Ideas discussed how to support and resurface Irving Park
September-October
Portland Backpack Project (https://www.portlandbackpack.com/)
Members donated food to be distributed for students in 10 NE Schools.
In October members packed 107 bags and donated $740 to purchased additional food for the project.
October
Partnership with Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School
Provided snacks for students for a month during a shutdown of Portland Public Schools’ (PPS) district’s Nutrition Services
November
Jenn Louis Basic Rights
Members donated supplies and clothes for the project that serves the houseless community.
December
Partnership with Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School
Members volunteered to help at the school in the cafeteria and passed out bags of food from Portland Backpack each Friday to the classrooms.
Members granted Christmas wishes by donating toys and clothes for 13 families (27 children).
December
The CIC advocated and shared information about a variety of organizations supported by members and encouraged members to get involved.
Ongoing Book Discussion Groups at the Club
The CIC regularly organizes book discussion groups.
OPEN~ Community Book Shelf
Please consider sharing books that represent a wide variety of subjects and authors such as books dealing with social justice, equity, antiracism, BIPOC themes and historical perspectives, education about racism and its history, books both fiction and nonfiction by BIPOC authors, books that promote good health practices and wellness (body and soul), mindfulness, exercise and even tennis.
The shelf is sign out books using the binder on the shelf and then in when you return the book note the date returned.