NOTE: Members of the Timbers Army will present a check for $20,375 to Cody Goldberg of Harper’s Playground prior to the Aug. 20 match between the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps at Jeld-Wen Field. Gametime is 7 p.m.
NORTH PORTLAND – As diehard supporters of the Portland Timbers, the Timbers Army knows something about goals.
And they’re closing in on a crucial one.
Prior to the Timbers’ Aug. 20 match at Jeld-Wen Field, members of the Timbers Army will present a check for $20,375 to Cody Coldberg, executive director of Harper’s Playground.
The check is the latest step in a year-long campaign to raise money for Harper’s Playground, an inclusive playground to be built in North Portland’s Arbor Lodge Park.
The project is named after 6-year-old Harper Goldberg, who has Emanuel Syndrome. While Harper continues to defy the odds in her battle to gain independence, her parents, Cody and April Goldberg, have pledged to raise $350,000 for the project.
The Army got involved at the end of the 2010 season, raising over $3,000 through the sale of scarves commemorating the team’s final season at the second-division level before joining Major League Soccer this spring.
That caught the eye of “Timber Jim” Serrill, the retired logger who’s been the team’s mascot for more than 30 years. He spearheaded a second fund-raising campaign using specially designed Harper’s Playground scarves. Both scarves were designed by Timbers Army volunteer designer Daniel Gerhardstein. Sold throughout the season, that project raised the $20,375 that will be passed along to Goldberg on Aug. 20.
"My wife and I can't find the right words to describe how thankful we are to Timber Jim, the many members of the 107ist who helped make this happen, and to all the fans of the Timbers who bought Harper's Playground scarves,” says Cody Goldberg. “The smiles they’ll see on all the children's faces when they enjoy the playground will have to suffice.”
Added Serrill: "As the director of Love and Celebration for the Portland Timbers, I must say that Harper’s Playground truly defines what ‘Spread the Love’ is all about. Every child deserves a place to play and Harper’s Playground will provide that experience for generations.
” One little girl, Harper Goldberg has inspired her Mom, Dad and our community to make sure everybody plays. This will be a world-class playground named after a girl with world-class love.
The project team is now 70 percent of the way toward the $350,000 goal.
For more information on Harper’s Playground – or to donate – go to www.harpersplayground.org.
