Children’s charities kick off New Year with B.U.L.L. Session gift of $300k

For 10 Oregon children’s charities, 2004 started off in grand way. The local charities shared in a $300,000 donation from the B.U.L.L. Session Golf Tournament.

The donations from the B.U.L.L. Session, a coalition of Business, Union and Labor Leaders, will help local children’s groups like the Providence Child Center in Portland and the March of Dimes.

“Today’s donation from the B.U.L.L. Session continues a 13-year commitment to Oregon’s kids,” said Tim Gauthier, executive manager of the Oregon-Columbia Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association and title sponsor along with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 48. “With this year’s $300,000 donation the B.U.L.L. Session has raised $1.7 million for local children’s charities. We look forward to the opportunity to share these gifts with children for many years to come,” he added.

The contributions were raised Sept. 9, 2003 at the annual B.U.L.L. Session Golf Tournament and auction. The event is the largest single-day charity event in Oregon.

The 2003 event took place at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club near Hillsboro, where more than 450 golfers took part in the fundraiser.

“With the generous help of the hundreds of people who participate in the B.U.L.L. Session, Providence Child Center will be able to provide direct care to children with serious medical needs,” said Pat Budo, administrator of the Providence Child Center Foundation.

“In tough economic times its even more important than ever to step up and help those who help others,” said Grant Zadow, business manager of IBEW Local 48. “Our contribution of $300,000 represents dozens of Oregon companies large and small, who participate in our charity event and through their commitment make it so successful year after year.”

The $300,000 donation will be shared by: Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Gales Creek Camp, Hearing and Speech Institute, Legacy Emanuel Children’s Hospital, March of Dimes, Muscular Dystrophy, Shriners Hospital for Children-Portland, Special Olympics Oregon, Wheel to Walk Foundation and Providence Child Center.

The B.U.L.L. Session, now in its 13th year, is a coalition of leaders from a variety of organizations including contractors, construction unions, business and lawmakers. They are an all-volunteer organization with the goal of making consistent and significant contributions to Oregon’s children’s charities. One hundred percent of donations to the B.U.L.L. Session are dedicated to charity.

Jim Moss, chair of the B.U.L.L. Session committee and a former official with the Plumbers Union, will be the guest of honor, along with his wife Pat, at the Heart of Gold dinner Feb. 5 sponsored by the Providence Child Center Foundation. The dinner will be held at the Oregon Convention Center.

� Oregon Labor Press Publishing Co. Inc.