The Portland and Lake Oswego-Dunthorpe Alumnae Clubs held an exciting Speed Read event just before the Portland Trail Blazers game in Portland, Oregon February 9, 2010.  Competing in the Speed Read event were a celebrity participant, former Trail Blazers player Jerome Kersey, a Pi Phi alumna, and two Oregon Gamma collegians.  Cat In the Hat, played by Missy Gerber the Co-President of the Lake Oswego-Dunthorpe Alumnae Club, led the cheerleading effort for the crowd.  Approximately 150 Pi Phis and their families and friends were in attendance to promote literacy and catch a Trail Blazers game in the same evening.  The crowd was energized by the Pi Phis’ enthusiasm for their important cause and attendees at the game were certainly able to see many local Pi Beta members making a difference in their community.

Oregon Alpha Ashley O’Hollaren is the Account Sales Manager for the Portland Trailblazers and was instrumental in the success of this event for the local alumnae clubs and collegians.  Pi Beta Phi would like to thank the Portland Trail Blazers for its generous donation of $5 per ticket sold at the February 9th game to our partner, First Book.  A total donation of $750 will be given to First Book by the Portland Trail Blazers on behalf of the Portland Alumnae Club and Lake-Oswego Dunthorpe Alumnae Club.  Individuals in this community are also continuing to make donations at www.firstbook.org/trailblazers.