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BB Camp’s Michelle Koplan honored

B’nai B’rith Camp CEO Michelle Koplan camps in 2020.
has received the 2021 American Camp “We were all devastated,” says Koplan of
Association’s prestigious The Frank M. camp leaders around the state.
“Scotty” Washburn Award for Outstanding When Koplan learned the Oregon Cul-
Service from the Oregon Trail for her out- tural Trust had received federal funding
standing service. through the CARES Act, she decided to see
Koplan founded and chairs the Alliance if Oregon’s 160 overnight camps – whose
of Oregon Camps, formed in response to industry had been shut down – could also
the pandemic, which forced the closure of receive funding. She worked with volun-
overnight camps in 2020. The Alliance in- teer lobbyists, stakeholders and legislators
cludes Oregon overnight camps including and was able to secure $1.5 million in De-
those affiliated with ACA, the Christian cember 2020 for Oregon camps.
Camp and Conference Association, and That drove her to further organize camps
unaffiliated licensed camps. to ensure they could open for 2021. The
“This was such an honor – really nice newly formed Alliance was able to devel-
and quite surprising,” says Koplan. “This op safety protocols and obtain $10 million
is such meaningful work. I am so passion- from the state legislature to open safely in
ate about creating a Jewish experience for the summer of 2021. Additional funding Michelle Koplan received the 2021 Ameri-
children, and that motivates me to do this from the Oregon Community Foundation can Camp Association’s Frank M. “Scotty”
work.” brought another $40 million to summer Washburn Award for Outstanding Service.
When the award was announced she camps that year. It is awarded to an individual or team known
says she received this lovely “campy” text “We are still on a roll,” says Koplan of for his/her/their outstanding service and
from Janette Kunkel, ACA Oregon Trail the Alliance’s efforts for summer 2022. leadership in the profession of organized
President: “You really deserve so much! For the Oregon legislature’s 35-day short camping.
You jumped into the deep end and got life session that began Feb. 1, the Oregon Alli-
jackets on us all and helped us keep swim- ance of YMCAs, OregonASK, the Oregon “Scotty” Washburn, who passed away in
ming! So proud to have you on our team Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and the 2016. He was a leader in the resident camp-
and grateful for your leadership! I could Alliance of Oregon Camps have submitted ing field and served in a number of roles
write pages on your efforts, energy and a request for $52 million to support and with the American Camping Association
efficiency. You truly were like a wrangler assess the needs of summer programming including national president from 1968-
with wild horses that were going in many and summer camps. 1970.
different directions!” Inspired by hearing of National Guard ACA Senior Director of Volunteerism Mi-
At the start of the pandemic in 2020, Ko- members in other states serving as substi- chele Branconier wrote to Michelle: “Your
plan served on a task force with the gov- tute teachers, she worked with Rep. David leadership in organizing The Alliance of
ernor’s office and Oregon Health Authority Gomberg and Sen. Dick Anderson to draft Oregon Camps, developing key relation-
to create protocols for overnight camps to a letter to the governor requesting National ships with the Oregon Health Authority,
operate in the summer of 2020. But after Guard assistance for summer camps facing and using your voice to support the camp
an outbreak in an immigrant farm camp, severe staffing shortages. experience through government affairs has
the governor decided to close all overnight The award was named for Oregon native been exemplary.”
PEOPLE (continued from previous page)

In her new position, Harrington will serve as a member of the hu- from 1987-94 and the founder of the Portland Buckaroos. He is
man resources organizational development team, and her primary also a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
responsibility will be the creation of an employee-centric wellness Applicants will be judged on academic and athletic achievement
program for the 4,600 employees in the St. Charles system. St. as well as their commitment to community service. Winners will
Charles’ network encompasses four large hospitals and myriad receive a $500 scholarship for college. Apply/nominate by April
medical clinics throughout Bend, Redmond, La Pine and Madras. 14, 2022. Visit oregonjcc.org/hsathlete
Harrington will be based in Bend; she’ll work in a hybrid/remote
capacity initially and plans to relocate to Bend in the summer of Former Portlander publishes autobiography
2023. Author Joseph Cox made Aliyah in 2014, moving from Portland
“This is a very exciting professional opportunity for Jennifer,” to Israel with his wife and children. In No-
says Albert. “Please join me in wishing Jennifer all the best in her vember 2021, he released A Multi Colored
new role.” Coat (an autobiography of sorts).
Joseph’s family became religious while
Nominate high school scholar athletes living without running water or electricity
The Mittleman Jewish Community Center seeks nominations for in the Idaho wilderness. His parents both
the Harry Glickman Scholar Athlete Award. Any Jewish student earned Ph.D.s from Columbia University.
athlete who has lived in Oregon for the past three years and is a ju- Joseph grew up near Scappoose, Ore., as a
nior or senior in high school is eligible. Two winners will be selected hybrid crossing between numerous worlds
and recognized at the MJCC Community Celebration on May 24, – hillbilly, Jewish and Ivy League. A Multi
2022. This award was established in 2012, in honor of Harry Glick- Colored Coat explores Joseph’s childhood
man, z”l, the “father” of professional sports in Oregon. He was the and the lessons he’s learned since then.
founder of the Portland Trail Blazers, the Trail Blazers’ President The book is available from Amazon.
Jewish Review March 2, 2022 9