Gala Benefit Dinner and Concert

Benefiting the philanthropic initiatives of Mary’s Woods
December 1, 2, 3

As a mission-driven, not-for-profit organization, Mary’s Woods has the unique privilege of enhancing the lives of the residents and staff who live and work on the Mary’s Woods campus, as well as members of the broader community. One of the many significant roles this Gala Benefit Weekend plays is in supporting Mary’s Woods programs that allow older adults in the community to age with dignity and independence. This important work helps further the mission of Mary’s Woods, and of their sponsor, the Sisters of the Holy Names, who began their work on the historic campus over 100 years ago.

Thank you for joining with us and making a difference in the lives of older adults at Mary’s Woods and the broader community.

December 3

Family Christmas Party for Mary’s Woods residents, employees and their families, and friends

Ken Iverson

Ken loves stories and the connection, or bridge, that a story can create and the way storytelling brings people together. Stories are how people connect and how a person, a family, or a society, passes on it’s history.  Ken is a founding member of the Portland Storytellers Guild and a 2014 National Storytelling Networks ORACLE Award Recipient

Peppermint Bear by LakeWood Center

Santa’s workshop is in a tizzy when his chair and then magic jingle bells go missing. The giant slips in with plans to become the new, and much, much bigger Santa Claus, and uses the magic jingle bells to take control of the elves to get what he wants. Sally, a young girl whose father assists at the north pole, and Peppermint Bear learn to use “teamwork,” hoping to make everything right before Christmas is ruined.  The show is appropriate for ages 3-103. The book and lyrics are by Michael Snider with music by Kurt Misar.

Elizabeth Dorman

Praised by Joshua Kosman of the San Francisco Chronicle for her “crisp, brightly finished” playing and her “emotional center of gravity,” pianist Elizabeth Dorman enjoys a multifaceted career as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator.  She has soloed with orchestra in Bing Concert Hall at Stanford, Herbst Theater of San Francisco, Davies Symphony Hall, and at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. A frequent recitalist and chamber musician, Elizabeth has recently performed for the San Francisco Symphony Chamber Music Series, Sonoma Classical Music Society, Noontime Concerts at Old Saint Mary’s, Le Petite Trianon, Old First Concerts, Symphony Space, UCSF Chancellor’s Recital Series, the San Francisco Symphony League, Whitney Center for the Arts, live on air at WUSF Tampa, and has performed recently at festivals including Sarasota, Banff, Aspen, Icicle Creek, Silicon Valley, and at the Toronto Summer Music Festival.

Joe Saachi

Tenor, Joseph Sacchi grew up on a farm just north of Salem, OR. He studied music at Central Washington University and recently completed his masters at Manhattan School of Music. He is currently living in New York City, pursuing a career in classical music under the tutelage of Ron Raines. Previous credits include singing with MSM’s Opera Theatre, Martina Arroyo’s Prelude to Performance and Sherrill Milnes’ Savannah Voice Festival.