November 19, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning announced a $10,000 gift to forge a partnership between the Oregon Symphony and Self-Enhancement, Inc. (SEI). The donation will be directed toward music programs that enrich the lives of Portland’s inner city youth.
The announcement coincided with the foundation’s 15th anniversary celebration and the retirement of is founding chair, Ernie Bloch. More than 220 people attended the gala at SEI, which featured former Oregon Governor Neil Goldschmidt as master of ceremonies and special guest James DePreist, Oregon Symphony Director and Conductor.
“This celebration provided us an opportunity to celebrate two organizations that have richly deserved our support,” explained Mike Pittman, PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning and group director of Human Resources for PacifiCorp. “This donation brings together two of our interests — learning and the arts — that also are two of Ernie Bloch’s great passions.”
Bloch’s passion for music is passed down from his grandfather, the famed composer Ernest Bloch, who died in Oregon in 1959. Bloch, a longtime Symphony supporter, currently serves as Vice Chair of the Oregon Symphony Foundation Board.
“The Bloch name is one that has become synonymous with music in
Oregon,” said Symphony President Tony Woodcock. “We are grateful
to Ernie and to PacifiCorp, for their commitment to music and to the role
it plays in the lives of our children.”
Tony Hopson, SEI’s chief executive officer, said that the gift would
enable the SEI/Oregon Symphony collaboration to explore ways of enhancing
existing music programs. “We are excited about the possibilities this presents,” said
Hopson. “We are looking forward to working creatively with the symphony
to define those activities that have the most meaning for the youth we
serve.”
The PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning is the third largest, utility-endowed foundation in the United States. Its mission is to foster strategic sustainable learning initiatives. Since the Foundation was established in 1988, it has awarded more than 5,000 grants totaling more than $33 million to communities served by Utah Power, Pacific Power and PacifiCorp. The Foundation has also established a permanent endowment, recently valued at $38 million. The PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning is headed by Isaac Regenstreif, executive director.