By Erika George & Kari McGee, March 1, 2018
Meet the amazing Bernadette. 
We had the good fortune of getting to know Bernadette when we helped her sell her old house and buy a new house in 2014, and we’ve had the privilege of keeping in touch with her as she created a whole new life. And we mean WHOLE. NEW. LIFE. You name it, Bernadette was dealing with change with a capital C!
So when Bernadette called us late last fall, to see if we might chip in to help her start a basketball league for the students at Kelly Elementary School in the Lents neighborhood where she teaches PE, we said HECK YAH!
Bernadette, a former high school varsity basketball coach, 12 year Portland youth basketball coach, and one of the co-founders of Grant Youth Basketball, was in her 2nd year as the PE teacher at Kelly Elementary School, when she noticed an interest in basketball. Now those of you who have kids who love sports, probably take for granted the various basketball program choices we have in many Portland schools and neighborhoods, but this was not the case for Lents. There are few options for the kids in Lents to play on a basketball team so Bernadette posted signs in the gym to gauge interest and there were about fifteen or so names of 3rd-5th grade students who signed up. Bernadette decided that was enough interest to start a Kelly Elementary Basketball League for her students!
Fifteen interested kids quickly grew to seventyfive – eight, nine and ten year-old boys and girls who are participating in the new Kelly League this year, thanks to Bernadette’s intrepid spirit.
Besides developing great basketball skills and love for the sport, there are loads of other benefits to these kids who are participating. One of the best benefits Bernadette has noticed are the many new friendships that are developing among teammates. Players also learn about making a commitment to a team; about working hard and about setting goals. They learn how to win and lose gracefully and how to be a supportive teammate.
Most players in this community have never had the opportunity to play on a team so with our help, Bernadette was able to fundraise over $3,000 to get this program off the ground. Our support, along with a few other wonderful small Portland business owners, allowed the new Kelly League to purchase uniforms for their players, and cover league fees of $400 per team, for 6 teams!
So how are they doing? Take a look and see! Nothing but net, baby, nothing but net…
Erika + Kari
Broker | Esquire & Principal Broker
The HouseLovePDX Team fuses comprehensive real estate knowledge and legal expertise in the dynamic landscape of Portland, Oregon.
Realtor Erika George brings to the table 20 years of experience as an attorney specializing in construction and contracts. Principal Broker Kari McGee has helped clients successfully navigate the evolving Portland real estate market since 2005. Regardless of the market or your particular circumstances, these highly skilled real estate agents will ensure that your goals become your reality. WHAT WE KNOW We know that real estate is not a one size fits all endeavor. It’s easy to find real estate data on the internet these days, but it’s what we do with the data that counts. HouseLovePDX provides a thoughtful and proactive analysis of current market data for every one of our clients. We know that small details can make a big difference. We consider factors you may not be aware of when buying a house, selling a condo or planning an ADU. From open permits to missing credits on escrow statements, these issues can cost you money. Let us guide you through the real estate process, from big picture dreams about your future home to the nitty gritty of contract negotiation. We know that your “why” often comes before your “how” in real estate. We take extra time with our clients to fully understand all the reasons why you want to make a move to, from or within the Portland area. We use this insight as the key to develop a comprehensive plan for you. Don’t be surprised if we start our meetings by delving deep into your real estate knowledge, your past experiences, your goals and your dreams! WHAT WE LOVE It’s a privilege to help a client sell a beloved home and move on to the next chapter of life. We love seeing Portland, neighborhood by neighborhood, through the eyes of someone who is new to the area and full of excitement. As Northwest natives who grew up together (we’re cousins!), our love for Portland runs deep. And we adore the the moment when a buyer walks into a house and we all know it’s the one: aka HouseLove! We would be honored to help guide you through your changing real estate needs in Portland Oregon. CONTACT Erika George and Kari McGee 503.349.5449 | 971.322.6612 karianderika@livingroomre.com- T: 503-349-5449
- F: 503-961-8224
- karianderika@livingroomre.com
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503-961-8224