November 22, 2011

Today, Umpqua Bank, Oregon's largest state-chartered community bank, announced a $25,000 donation to the Restore our Historic Squares Fund, joining nealy 100 individual donors who've made contributions ranging from $10 to $7,000.

Following the Occupy Portland encampment in downtown's Chapman and Lownsdale Squares, we heard from many people who wanted to contribute financially to the restoration of the parks. 

In response, we partnered with the Portland Parks Foundation to establish the Restore our Historic Squares Fund.

The cost to completely restore the squares is between $50,000 and $100,000. While that's a daunting figure, the outpouring of support our community has shown - particularly today's announcement from Umpqua -is truly inspiring.

Umpqua's extraordinary contribution is an expression of how a local company cares for its community.

If you'd like to be part of this effort, visit http://portlandparksfoundation.org.

Umpqua Bank gives $25,000 for park repairs

Jim Redden in the Portland Tribune

Umpqua Bank donates $25,000 toward cleanup of Chapman, Lownsdale squares

Kate Mather in the Oregonian

Photo: Lownsdale Square, courtesy flickr user rosa say.