Portland, OR.—May 23, 2012 —The 107 Independent Supporters Trust (107ist) is pleased to announce they have committed to raise an additional $40,000 by August of 2012 to add to the $25,000 already contributed in 2011. The 107ist is firmly committed to insuring the Harper’s Playground project remains a community driven effort to provide a playground at Arbor Lodge Park where children and adults of all abilities can play together. This pledge affirms the 107ist’s vow to see this inspiring project through from start to finish.

“The excitement and passion of the Timbers Army and 107ist to complete this project is palpable,” said Scott Van Swearingen, President of the 107ist. “We have been inspired by Harper’s story and while this isn’t a soccer related charity it is an important project for our community and meets our goal of spreading the love for our team and our town.”

“Harper's Playground recognizes that people with disabilities are excluded from Portland's many inaccessible parks. Our first goal is to build Portland’s first inclusive playground at Arbor Lodge Park,” said Harper’s Playground Grants Director and 107ist member Felicia Chapman. “The larger vision for Harper's Playground as we continue to grow and build our community: a more inclusive world, one playground at a time.”

Important Dates:

• June 8, 2012: Breaking Ground with The School of Rock & Friends. From 7:00-10:00 PM the Fez Ballroom will be hosting a groundbreaking celebration. Cost of entry is $10 and features the amazing talents from The School of Rock & Friends.
• June 8, 2012: Harper’s Playground Groundbreaking. From 10:00AM – 10:30AM at Arbor Lodge Park Harper’s Playground and Portland Parks & Recreation will host a traditional groundbreaking ceremony. Emcee AC Dickson will preside and will introduce speakers to include Glen & Tiffany Boyd of The W. Glen Boyd Charitable Foundation; Commissioner Nick Fish, commissioner of Portland Parks & Recreation; Taylor Brooke, Co-Captain of the University of Portland Lady Pilots Soccer Team; Felicia Chapman, Board Member of Harper’s Playground & Active Member of the 107IST. Attendees will be treated to birthday cupcakes in celebration of the playground’s namesake, Harper Rose Goldberg’s 7th birthday.
• August 4, 2012: Art Takeover is a poster show organized by Factory North and the Timbers Army with all proceeds going to Harper’s Playground. Original Timber’s Army-inspired poster designs from 30 local designers/artists will be on display and sold on Saturday, August 4th, at Coava during normal business hours and during a special after-hours event featuring beer, wine, cocktails and snacks provided by many our generous sponsors. Each poster will be hand-pulled, numbered and signed by the artist.

About Harper’s Playground

Harper’s Playground was founded in 2010 with the goal to build community by providing an inclusive playground at Arbor Lodge Park where children and adults of all abilities can play together. Our vision is to make a more inclusive world one playground at a time. Named for their daughter Harper, founders April & Cody Goldberg are committed to creating more opportunities for inclusion of all kinds in all areas of our community.

About 107 Independent Supporters Trust

The 107IST is a member-based non-profit organization open to anyone (regardless of where they sit in the stadium) who loves soccer, the Timbers, Portland, and especially the combination of the three. The 107ist is the engine that powers the Timbers Army and facilitates funding tifo displays and charitable contributions from the Timbers Army.