Many of you know thirteen-year-old Dylan Mapston, the soccer player and Timbers fan in Arizona who has collected donations to provide comfort to children and families as they battle cancer, through his organization Keepers Care for Kids. Last year, Dylan collected over 500 toys and stuffed animals for Doernbecher OHSU when he and his dad came to Portland for a match.

This year, with a home opener weekend that includes TWO first team matches, Keepers Care for Kids will be leading TWO donation drives to benefit two organizations.

On Saturday 4/14, for the Timbers home opener, Dylan will be collecting new toys and stuffed animals to benefit Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, which is also the home to Providence Basecamp, where 107IST members provide monthly free CPR/AED courses. Bring your new toy or stuffed animal donation on 4/14 to the fanladen on 1633 SW Alder Street any time from 4-7pm to provide for children served by Providence St. Vincent.

On Sunday 4/15, for the Thorns home opener, Dylan will be collecting new toys and stuffed animals to benefit the Children's Center in Clackamas County. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the Children's Center is a private, non-profit child abuse intervention center. They see children for concerns of sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. Children’s Center also teaches people how to prevent abuse from happening. Children’s Center provides:

• Medical Examinations: Complete head-to-toe exams to determine and document a child’s health and safety by medical providers trained to diagnose and treat child abuse and neglect
  
• Forensic Interviews: Digitally recorded interviews with specialists trained to talk to children of all ages – minimizing the trauma of multiple interviews
  
• Family Support: Support, consultation, referrals, and education to all families in Clackamas County facing issues of abuse or neglect
  
• Prevention and Education: Collaboration with community partners to increase awareness of child abuse and provide professionals, caregivers, families and the community with tools necessary to help keep children safe.