Margie Greene Named 2012 Tigard Shining Stars “From the Heart” Volunteer of the Year

Margie Greene has been selected as the 2012 Tigard Shining Stars “From the Heart” Volunteer of the Year, named in honor of Jim Hartman.  The “From The Heart” award honors a person who has dedicated their time and energy to a specific cause in the Tigard community.  Jim Hartman set the standard for this award by his example of giving from the heart to his community.  This person gives willingly, energetically and consistently.  This person might be well known or might be a “quiet” volunteer, unrecognized until now, but always gives “from the heart”!  This person may have worked on the same project for many years. Margie Greene has dedicated countless hours to the Foundation for Tigard Tualatin Schools. As the volunteer president for the organization for the past several years she has committed herself to the equivalent of an unpaid part time job on behalf of the children in the Tigard Tualatin School District. Through her efforts and encouragement, this nonprofit was able to grant each TTSD school a base $9,000 grant this year. Additionally, there have been funds available for the schools to apply to the Foundation for other grants. This is due, in large part, to Margie’s support of efforts such as the recent phone outreach which raised an unprecedented $65,000. In addition to her TTSD work, Margie serves as co-chair for the Art In The Burbs, a Foundation for Tigard Tualatin Schools fundraiser and volunteers for Tigard High’s and Fowler Middle School’s PSOs.  She also co-founded Tigard’s Youth Track club with her husband Ralph Greene.  All of these efforts center around Margie’s efforts, on behalf of the children in our district, show that her motivations stem “from the heart.”  Margie and her husband Ralph have 4 children, one a recent grad of Tigard High School, the other 3 attending TTSD schools. When asked why she has given so much time to the Tigard Tualatin School District and its Foundation, Margie said, “Volunteering just feels natural to me.  Perhaps because I grew up watching my own mother  volunteer much of her time to my school and other community events.  I feel as she did, that education has an effect on everyone’s life, sometimes in subtle ways of which we are not always aware.  With these changing times, I would like to help keep education as strong and relevant as possible.  The positive impact it has on our kids and our community is immeasurable.” Please join us in congratulating Margie Greene on this well deserved award.  The “From the Heart”, Tigard Volunteer of the Year award will be presented with other Tigard volunteer and business awards at Tigard’s 2012 Shining Stars Community Awards Celebration, sponsored by Platinum Title Sponsor West Coast Bank and held on Friday, April 27th from 6-9 p.m. at Embassy Suites – Washington Square, event location host. With a theme of “Escape to a Night in the Caribbean”, this Caribbean themed dinner event includes dinner, silent auction, steel drum music, limbo, awards, and more. Tickets are only $35/person, dress is casual, tropical. Come join us to celebrate Tigard. For further details about Shining Stars, please contact the Tigard Area Chamber of Commerce at 503-639-1656 or at info@tigardchamber.org  or go to our webpage at www.tigardchamber.org Tigard Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) The TACC, established in 1955, is a forward thinking membership organization which provides opportunities for consistent and sustainable long-term business growth!  The TACC is creating a strong, interconnected business community where strength through collaboration and power through partnerships makes Business Soar. We do this by building a strong local economy, providing business networking, being involved in our community and representing the interests of business with government. Foundation for Tigard Tualatin Schools The Foundation for Tigard Tualatin Schools mission is to power learning opportunities for Tigard Tualatin studentsWe raise money to buy amazing things for students in the Tigard Tualatin School District. School budgets get cut every year, so we rally this wonderful community to fund programs, technology, books and supplies that make a difference for our kids. We grant money to teachers to pay for innovative programs. We support a health center to keep kids healthy. And we grant scholarships to our best and brightest as they take off for college.  Learn more at http://www.the-ftts.org