Join Travel Oregon And SOLVE For Valentine's Day River Cleanup

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon, and SOLVE are celebrating Oregon's 158^th birthday on February 14 with the gift of clean rivers and safe access to recreation. The organizations are partnering to mobilize volunteers for a litter cleanup event along the Willamette River in Portland, with crews working along the Eastbank Esplanade on Tuesday, Feb. 14, from 2-4 p.m.

The cleanup will help keep litter from polluting the waterway and improve access for recreation this spring. The project is made possible through the Travel Oregon Forever Fund, an innovative grant program supported by Oregon businesses and the travelers to whom they cater. Following the event, volunteers are invited to attend a reception with food and Willamette Valley wine donated by Sokol Blosser, Winderlea and Stoller, from 4:30-6 p.m., at a longtime Forever Fund supporter, the Jupiter Hotel.

"As the number of visitors to our beautiful state continue to increase, the importance of working together to keep it clean and healthy only grows," said SOLVE's program director Quintin Bauer. "SOLVE is excited to partner with Travel Oregon to celebrate our state's birthday by cleaning up litter from one of Portland's most popular attractions, the Eastbank Esplanade. With the help of dedicated volunteers, we will keep trash from entering the Willamette River and beautify the area for everyone to enjoy."

Travel Oregon developed the Forever Fund to improve experiences for visitors and locals by connecting them to participating businesses that directly improve and enhance Oregon communities. Travel Oregon Forever Fund dollars are directed to projects throughout Oregon that benefit the environment, support local culture, and enrich the destination. Since 2012, visitors to Oregon have contributed more than $127,000 to enhance communities across the state. In 2016, Travel Oregon's 27 Forever Fund businesses raised more than $35,000. Learn more about Forever Fund donor businesses online here.

"We are thrilled to partner with SOLVE and with wonderful members of the community in this worthwhile mission to preserve our natural environment and keep the Willamette River pristine," said Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon. "This volunteer effort is a great tribute to a great state on its birthday, and it reinforces that the projects we support improve local economies, build community and showcase the culture that makes Oregon a premier destination for all."

For more information about river cleanup event or to participate, visit http://solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/oregons-158th-birthday-cleanup.  

About SOLVE
SOLVE is a statewide nonprofit organization that brings Oregonians together to improve our environment and build a legacy of stewardship. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots group to a national model for volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains tens of thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, and to build a legacy of stewardship for our state. Visit SolveOregon.org for more information.

About Travel Oregon
The Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon, works to enhance visitors' experiences by providing information, resources and trip planning tools that inspire travel and consistently convey the exceptional quality of Oregon. The commission aims to improve Oregonians' quality of life by strengthening the economic impacts of the state's $10.8 billion tourism industry that employs more than 105,000 Oregonians. Visit TravelOregon.com to learn more.

SOURCE Travel Oregon

Related Links

http://www.traveloregon.com