Brian Grant Fundraiser Event Success!

janna | July 24, 2012 | 1 Comment

Executive Director Cherise Bjornsgard of the Brian Grant Foundation & Brian at the Shake it Till We Make It! golf tournament

The Shake it Till We Make It! Fundraiser event was a huge success! Held by the Brian Grant Foundation, this two-day celebrity gala and golf tournament fundraiser raises money for the Brian Grant Foundation to fund Parkinson’s Disease patient and caregiver support programs including exercise, nutrition, managing relationships and health care team. First, there was the amazing dinner and auction event at the Rose Garden, then the golf tournament which was held at Pumpkin Ridge. Fund totals are still being tallied and last year’s event raised over $500,000.

For the Shake it Till We Make It! dinner, the red carpet was rolled out in royalty. People were dressed to the nines, the Rose Garden was decked out with candles, flowing draperies, beautiful flower arrangements on the tables. The entertainment was fantastic and included Aldis Hodge of TNT’s Leverage hosting the night’s festivities and performances by local favorite, Linda Hornbuckle. There was a live auction lead by Auctioneer goddess Johnna Wells, with six exclusive experience packages up for bidding, including a one-week fishing trip with Brian at a remote Alaskan island with luxury cabin accommodations and a one week Italian villa stay for 10 complete with a personal chef.

The event was star-studded with athletes, local favorites such as Portland Trail Blazer founder Harry Glickman, Jerome Kersey, Bill Schonely, Meadowlark Lemon, Neil Lomax, Steve Baack, Mike Walter and more…Everywhere you looked was another legend! The amazing turnout showed how much love and respect Brian has earned during his professional career.

The respect was equally apparent out on the golf course the next day for the tournament at Pumpkin Ridge. Players were paired with celebrities in a scramble format. Pumpkin Ridge golf course opened in 1992 with the Ghost Creek course, with the Private side, Witch Hollow not far behind. The 18 hole public and 18 hole private course boasts some of the most beautiful NW scenery to be had. After a gorgeous day on the greens, a fantastic dinner and cocktails were served to players and guests. Dance music was lively, the early summer evening air was perfect. Conversations among the guests were upbeat and it was obvious the day’s events were a success.

All funds raised over the two days at Shake It Till We Make It! go towards programs, awareness and building support for the Brian Grant Foundation. Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that affects one in 100 people over age 60. While advancing age remains the greatest risk factor, PD can strike people even under age 30. The average age at onset is 60, however, people have been diagnosed as young as 18. Estimates of the number of people living with the disease vary, but recent research indicates that at least one and a half million people in the United States, and more than five million worldwide, have Parkinson’s. Every day, 165 people are newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Brian is committed to helping others and their families be sure they have information and resources when first diagnosed.