Walking the talk
It was a beautiful day for a beautiful event -- the annual Walk-a-Thon for Northwest Pilot Project. A few hundred walkers of all ages perambulated the Park Blocks on the Portland State University campus for an hour this afternoon to raise money for housing for needy senior citizens.
We were struck by the complete absence among the participants of a single individual who's currently running for public office. With all those candidates in the Voter's Pamphlet, you might have expected to see a few of their faces on the charity trail on such a nice day. One of the guys in the jam band had a Novick T-shirt on -- that was it. Food for thought.
| Posted at 6:12 PM | Permalink |
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Comments (6)
Always a beautiful event, even in the rain, in my biased opinion.
Housing for seniors isn't that sexy, I guess. Maybe, if there'd been an octogenarian bike-a-thon portion. . . . .some of the candidates running with "affordable housing" on their platforms might've shown.
*cough* Jim Middaugh *cough*
Posted by Ms. Contrarian | May 4, 2008 9:22 PM
Sorry Jack, I could not be there. I was at home making phone call to voters and taking care of my 94 year old mother who suffers from degenerative arthritis of the spine. Besides my 67 year old legs needed a rest after handing out campaign literature last week. Not to mention that this is a non-profit that is restricted from most political stuff.
Posted by Wes Soderback | May 5, 2008 2:50 AM
Hey, it was you guys' loss. You may have gained more support at the Park Blocks than you did calling people. Or you could have brought your cell phone!
8c)
There were several walkers in the 75+ years old category, including the champion fundraiser of the whole event.
Posted by Jack Bog | May 5, 2008 4:24 AM
Sorry again Jack. I do not have a cell phone. I am in a "no service" area in the West Hills. The NW Pilot Project(NWPP) came about to help seniors live in there own homes as long as possible and that is what I do as a full time caregiver for my mother. She requires 24/7 care and it cost her $50.00 an hour to have someone to take my place when I am not there. And again, non-profit charitable orgs. are prohibited from political activities as part of there tax exempt status. There are also restictions on campaigning in the Park Blocks and on PSU campus. I suspect this is why NWPP did not invite candidates. As you say, this would have been a great opportunity but, party crashing is just down right rude and in this case may have been unlawful.
Posted by Wes Soderback | May 5, 2008 3:17 PM
And again, non-profit charitable orgs. are prohibited from political activities as part of there tax exempt status. There are also restictions on campaigning in the Park Blocks and on PSU campus. I suspect this is why NWPP did not invite candidates. As you say, this would have been a great opportunity but, party crashing is just down right rude and in this case may have been unlawful.
Any ban on campaigning on the Park Blocks (if such a ban exists) would certainly be unconstitutional, A candidate showing up at a nonprofit fundraiser would not jeopardize the nonprofit's compliance with applicable law. And I'm sure NWPP would have welcomed the donation.
Posted by Jack Bog | May 5, 2008 9:38 PM
Political activities are prohitited on the PSU campus. This I can tell you with great certainty. I have been escorted off the campus for just such activites both as a student and non-student. A test case, years ago, went in PSU,s favor. PSU also controls the Park Blocks running through its campus. Political stuff is allowed there but, is subject to permit which I assume NWPP had. It was their call and they chose not to invite candidates. It is just as well because everytime politics are mentioned people stay away in droves.
Posted by Wes Soderback | May 6, 2008 7:40 PM