Maybelle Center Family Reunion
May 7, 2026 • Avenue Portland
The reunion is over. The reminiscing has just begun.
On May 7th, Members, staff, donors, and supporters gathered for a night of bingo, bidding, family-style feasting, and the kind of connection that doesn’t end when the lights come up. Together, we raised $200,000 to invest in belonging across downtown Portland.
Your zip code shouldn’t determine your health. Neither should your social circle. That’s what we’re changing together. And because of your generosity, we’re one step closer.
Consider this your photo album. And if you couldn’t make it this year, you’re still part of the family.
What Happened
Cocktails & Interactive Games
The evening opened with cocktails, a mobile doodling station, and a mobile karaoke game: two of the tools Maybelle actually uses in Neighborhood Programs and Macdonald Residence to build connection. How fun they are and how easy it is to participate surprised a few people.
Emcee Welcome
Nikki Card, Nutrition Services Manager at Macdonald Residence, served as emcee for the evening. She opened with warmth and truth: “Some families you’re born into. Some you build.” In doing so, she welcomed every person in the room as part of the Maybelle family.
She then shared what food means at Macdonald Residence and connected the family-style meal to Maybelle’s deeper mission: that feeding someone isn’t just filling a stomach, it’s a restoration of the soul.
Bingo
Bingo kicked off the main program, hosted by the luminous Brayden, exquisitely dressed as always, who brought the energy for the full house.
Dinner
Dinner was served family-style. Because there’s something powerful about passing plates, making room, and sharing space with the people next to you.
Featured Partnership
Two of our Members, Sassan and JC, read original pieces written in a class offered in partnership with Write Around Portland. The prompt was: “I feel seen when…” What came back was anything but simple.
Opening Remarks
Our Executive Director, Michelle Meyer, shared what makes Maybelle Center’s model distinctive and why social health matters. She introduced Tony with a single line that stayed with the room: “Every time I walk by his art, I think about what becomes possible when someone stops feeling invisible.”
Special Appeal
The special appeal featured Tony, a Member who plays Spanish guitar, cuts hair for neighbors, cooks meals, and makes art—and who lives with mental illness. Tony spoke to how much it means to have places to connect when you’re navigating that.
Staff member Jen closed with a charge that brought the room to silence: “Maybelle Center didn’t give Tony his gifts. He came with those. What Maybelle gave him was conditions for those gifts to reach other people.”
Live Auction
Seven live auction packages. A Golden Ticket raffle. A Generosity Sweep. And a paddle raise with an anonymous $15,000 matching gift for the first 15 donors at the $1,000 level.
Thank you to our sponsors
