enefit for the Parkinson's Center of Oregon

The city of roses, Portland Oregon, welcomed me to the screening of It's a Wonderful Life at another wonderful historical theatre. The Hollywood Theatre is still a grand old dame trying to hold on to her beauty and grace.

The screening was a benefit for the Parkinson's Center of Oregon. It is the only facility of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. Parkinson's Disease is a progressive degenerative disorder affecting one of the regions of the brain controlling movement. A number of people in the public eye have Parkinson's disease, including Mohammed Ali, Billy Graham, Michael J. Fox, Janet Reno and Johnny Cash. There is an estimated 1,500,000 people afflicted in the United States alone. There is presently NO cure or prevention of Parkinson's disease.

The event was a complete success. The response was standing room only and a wonderful opportunity for everyone to view IAWL on the big screen. I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to meet so many fans of the film as well as people who just want to help their fellow man.

I was just informed that not only did we raise funds for the Center but there was also a very generous donation to the restoration of the Hollywood Theatre. The magic of the evening enveloped all of us in the spirit of one of the main messages of the movie, "that each man's life touches another."