From the Fundraising & Event Coordinator's Desk:
This month, we’ve invited Monica Rush, Fundraising & Event Coordinator, to reflect on our recent Race Against Child Abuse. She’s provided a report on the event, as well as recognition of all those involved with this year’s race. But FIRST, we want to take a moment to recognize the AMAZING growth of this event that would not have been possible without Monica’s creativity, tenacity, and passion for our mission. She put an enormous amount of effort into DOUBLING the participation rate over last year and blowing our largest ever event of 300 racers (in 2019) off the charts! She worked to bring in new sponsors, vendors and community partners to engage with participants both on and off site. Congratulations, Monica, for an outstanding job on this event. We’re proud of this accomplishment and look forward to the continued growth of our events, fundraising efforts, and community outreach under your coordination. And now, a message from Monica:
This year’s 17th Annual Race Against Child Abuse was a resounding success!
We were thrilled to welcome a record number of participants: 538 in total across our 10K, 5K, 1 Mile in-person racers and “Sweet Dreams” virtual racers who slept in for the cause. If you would like to view the race results, use this link to see the leaderboard on our website.
We send a huge “thank you” to our enthusiastic team captains whose competitive spirit made the “Biggest Team” competition so exciting. Congratulations to the “Bigger and Better Than Barton” team (Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office) for taking first place with 113 team members! We also congratulate the rest of our top five biggest teams: #2. Moon Warriors, #3. Washington County District Attorney’s Office, #4. Medicine Wheel Recovery Services, and #5. Localz (CCDA).
We also extend our sincere gratitude to our Title Sponsor, Wauna Credit Union. Additionally, we recognize all of our generous race sponsors: Edward Jones Financial Advisor Lisa Galovich, the Grabhorn Family, GOHBI, Healthy Smiles of Scappoose, Hudson Garbage Services, Lions Capital, MSR Concrete, NAMI, Northwest Plumbing, Portrait Homes Northwest, Premier Restoration Partners, Richardson’s Furniture, Ticor Title, and all of our wonderful community partners who hosted tables on race morning.
Thanks to the incredible support of everyone involved, we raised a net profit of over $23,000.00 to help stomp out child abuse in Columbia County! We are deeply grateful for your participation in making this year’s race such a triumph and look forward to seeing you again in 2026!
– Monica Rush, Fundraising & Event Coordinator
What's New?
The Amani Center recently entered in to a partnership with The Lighthouse for Kids, a Children’s Advocacy Center serving Clatsop County that provides child abuse assessments and abuse prevention resources in Astoria, Oregon.
The Lighthouse for Kids has served children in Clatsop County since 1999, and has operated for the last 17 years under the leadership of their dedicated Director, Marvin Ramirez. Due to their current increase in needs and low staffing, the opportunity for the Amani Center to come alongside them to offer support services has proven to be a great fit for both agencies.
Working together, our staff is helping to provide expanded support with forensic assessments and interviews, testing services for drug endangered children, consultation services, advocacy, judicial system navigation, and services in Spanish, ASL or any additional language using an interpreter.
As we continue developing plans for the future of this new partnership, we also honor the years of hard work and advocacy for children that the Lighthouse for Kids has provided to their community. We are excited to work together with the shared mission of giving child abuse victims a voice.
May Spotlight:
This month we’re sending a big “thank you” to Sloan Nelson, owner of the Ol’ Pastime Tavern in Rainier and Sponsor of the .3K Slacker Run! Sloan has been a long-time supporter of the Amani Center, hosting Bunco and Bingo night fundraisers at his tavern for many years.
It was Sloan’s idea to host a “slacker” run to celebrate the strong community interest and support for the Amani Center, with less emphasis on physical exercise and more focus on having fun!
You can join in the relaxed atmosphere of this event (for everyone 21+) by registering for the .3K Slacker Run. All participants receive a $1.00 beverage (well spirits/soda or tap beer), a mouthwatering donut, and a participation medal (because, you know, you showed up!) All participants are also entered to win a fabulous one-night escape to ilani Casino & Resort, complete with a $120.00 gift card to experience their award-winning dining at any of the resort’s restaurants.
25 Years of Amani:
We have another Amani Center scrapbook page to share as we look back on “25 Years of Amani” all throughout 2025, celebrating our 25th anniversary.
Check out these photos of our administrative building in 2002 – are you old enough to recognize the state-of-the-art “Gateway 2000” computers? We are happy to share that our computer systems have greatly improved since then!
If you’d like to celebrate our “silver jubilee” anniversary with us, consider donating via our 25th Anniversary donation page. All donations will support the building fund, making a permanent home a reality for the Amani Center.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see more scrapbook photos from the past!
Upcoming Events:
Monday, May 12th, 5:30 p.m. – Bunco at The Lodge Food Carts (Ages 21+ Only)
The new monthly Bunco fundraiser night at The Lodge food carts in Scappoose is coming up again soon! Invite friends 21+ for a fun night out with delicious food, beverages and a chance to win big, all while supporting the Amani Center! We’re delighted to announce that Wauna Credit Union is sponsoring our Bunco prizes from March to December, 2025. The lucky winners will receive: $50.00 gift card for Most Buncos, $25.00 gift card for Most Wins, and $25.00 gift card for Most Losses. Game instruction begins at 5:30 p.m., game play starts at 6:00 p.m., and the cost is $15.00 per person. See you there!
Saturday, May 17th, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Mental Health Fair & NAMI Walk
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness’ annual “NAMI Walks” fundraiser is coming soon! The Columbia County team is forming now for their walk on Saturday, May 17th at 11:00 a.m. at McCormick Park in St. Helens.
To participate in the walk, use this link to register with the Columbia County team. This event is co-hosted by Columbia Community Mental Health, with their Mental Health Fair taking place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the park.
Saturday, May 17th, 2:00 p.m., .3K Slacker Run (21+ Age Participants Only)
Calling all “slackers”! This fundraiser was made for you! Conquer a breezy .3K around the block in Rainier with breathtaking river views.
The pre-event party is where it’s at: you’ll get a $1.00 beverage (well spirits/soda or tap beer), a delicious donut, and a participation medal. Also, all race participants are entered to win a one-night stay at the ilani Casino & Resort, along with a $120.00 gift card to experience their award-winning dining at any of the resort’s restaurants. Visit our race registration page to secure your spot.
The start time is 2:00 p.m., which means you can participate at the NAMI Walks event at McCormick Park in St. Helens, and then relax at the Slacker Run all in the same day to support both causes!