Community Cares – In So Many Ways

Musician Steve Kerin, JWF's Sarah Lonigro, and Music Millennium's Terry Currier (pictured from the side) get in on the fun at the 2025 Community Cares Raffle during the Waterfront Blues Festival.

By Claire Levine

It’s more than six months after Giving Tuesday – and all the end-of-the-year reminders that so many people need our help. But while the needs don’t go away, neither does the caring.

So, in the middle of every year, when our community gathers to celebrate summer, music and companionship, we find it’s an excellent time to reach out on behalf of the many who may not be celebrating. It’s time for the Community Cares Raffle. With just a $10 contribution, you can expand the summer celebrations – and win a chance for one of two fantastic experience packages.

For the sixth consecutive year, the Waterfront Blues Festival has selected Meals on Wheels People and The Jeremy Wilson Foundation as its community partners.These organizations support very different sectors of our region that, together, make up a vital and growing demographic.

Meals on Wheels People delivers more than 28,000 meals to older adults and other nutritionally at-risk individuals every week. Older adults receive meals in their homes or at dining centers throughout the region.

The Jeremy Wilson Foundation helps musicians and others in the music community struggling with health issues by providing immediate financial assistance and connecting them with other resources, as well as helping any performing musician access critical health insurance.

In our crazy world of too much news, you may not be hearing much about either of these populations. So, we’d like to introduce you to some people who are typical of those who your raffle dollars will help.

Meet Paul Knauls: At 95, Paul is known as the unofficial Mayor of Northeast Portland. A longtime business owner, community leader and advocate, he and his late wife, Geneva, helped shape the historic Albina neighborhood through decades of public service. Today, Paul receives weekly Meals on Wheels People deliveries. Paul, who lives alone, says the program provides more than nutritious food – it offers connection, care and peace of mind.

Meet Leanne: Leanne still lives in the house she grew up in, where she celebrated all the milestones of a joyous life – and experienced the bittersweetness of caring for aging parents and her ailing husband before he died. Today, she is in poor health, unable to drive and struggles to afford healthy food. For Leanne, Meals on Wheels People has become a critical source of both nutrition and companionship. “If it wasn’t for Meals on Wheels People,” she said, “I’d see no one . . .” The program’s wellness checks and volunteer interactions help her feel safe and connected and allow her to remain in her home – filled with a lifetime of memories.

LaRhonda and Mark Steele

 Few people symbolize the Portland music scene more than LaRhonda and Mark Steele. It’s fitting that in anticipation of The Waterfront Blues Festival, we acknowledge them – and both their support for and the help they received from The JWF Musician Health & Services Program.

Last year, LaRhonda faced a difficult course of treatment for breast cancer. With navigation services and a benefit concert through the JWF Musician Health & Services Program, she was able to focus on what mattered most: her health and healing. During this time, a JWF navigator also helped her husband, musician Mark Steele, successfully access health coverage and assistance with the costs.

LaRhonda says, “JWF is a Godsend! Their coordinator worked tirelessly to help us navigate federal and state medical coverage as well as the generous grant we received. Her training and knowledge were invaluable to us in navigating through the process. She is passionate about helping artists, a true gem.”

Jenny Conlee. Jenny, a versatile, talented multi-instrumentalist and Oregon Music Hall of Fame member, was in danger of losing access to health insurance. A JWF Musician Health & Services Program navigator assessed her situation and guided her application for coverage through the insurance Marketplace. 

Jenny successfully enrolled in a plan, avoiding any lapse in coverage or access to care. JWF’s navigator also gave Jenny financial assistance resources should she have future out-of-pocket medical bills. 

Jenny said, “I was in a panic after losing my union health insurance, especially with a history of cancer. I didn’t know if I could get coverage at all. I was told that JWF had a health insurance navigator and sought help. My navigator Melanie was a life saver and coached me through the process. I was able to get good coverage at a discount rate through the marketplace. Thanks JWF!” 

Lifelines. When you think about the lifelines that Meals on Wheels People gives to Paul and Leanne, and when you think about the difference the JWF has made to LaRhonda, Mark and Jenny, it’s easy to see how purchasing raffle tickets can keep our community healthy and thriving. All proceeds benefit these two organizations.

Your ticket may win you one of two great packages – each valued at over $2,100. Packages include VIP concert tickets, Oregon getaways, wine tastings and dinners, and more – all showcasing the amazingly bountiful region we live in.

Join us in showing how much we care. Buy your raffle tickets here! The drawing will be held at 7 p.m., July 4 at the Blues Festival. You need not be in attendance to receive your prize.

Enjoy your summer. We hope to see you at the festival – and we are so happy for your support for Meals on Wheels People and the Jeremy Wilson Foundation.