Overlook Neighborhood update (Dec. 1) – Overlook Neighborhood Association

1) Support Overlook on Giving Tuesday

The Overlook Neighborhood Association hopes all of our neighbors had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Now that Black Friday is behind us, Giving Tuesday arrives this week. Giving Tuesday is part of a global generosity movement to encourage people to support organizations that do good work in their communities – organizations like OKNA.

OKNA is a nonprofit – registered 501(c)3 – and relies on the generous support of neighbors to continue doing good work for Overlook. We ensure that residents know what’s happening in the neighborhood, including what buildings are going up and what new city policies will affect the character of the community. We distribute this weekly digital update and a quarterly newsletter to all neighbors. We also support events throughout the year, including the always popular movie in the park and holiday party.

Our tremendous team of volunteers does a great job. But newsletters, websites and events have a cost. As you think about your Giving Tuesday and end-of-year charitable options, we hope you will consider supporting your neighborhood association with at tax-deductible donation.

2) Santa comes to Overlook House next week

Join Santa and his elves on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for their annual visit to the Historic Overlook House. Santa will arrive via firetruck at 11 and will be available for pictures, wishes and holiday cheer. Local favorites Olive and Dingo will perform live, and our favorite face painter has her brush ready.

As always this event is free to neighbors, but the Friends of Overlook House welcomes donations that make this and other events throughout the year possible.

3) Tour potential “Center of Hope” at Wapato

Jordan Schnitzer, owner of the Wapato facility, has extended an invitation to neighborhood residents to tour Wapato on Monday, Dec. 2 at 1:30 p.m. Schnitzer, community organizers and service providers hope to transform Wapato into a Center of Hope that can provide desperately needed housing and services to Portland homeless residents who now are left camping around Overlook and all of Portland.

The regional director of the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development will be on hand to see whether the site is suitable for a pilot program to assist the homeless, provide recovery services and develop skills to help people transition into work and permanent housing.

The facility is located at 14355 N Bybee Lake Court in Portland.

4) OKNA board meeting

The Overlook Neighborhood Association Board will meet on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Historic Overlook House. The agenda includes discussions about location of upcoming meetings, the annual OKNA Holiday Party and more. As always, the meeting is open to any member of the public who wishes to come observe.