It's a Portland, Ore., Thanksgiving tradition: Each year Adventist Health in Portland holds a special event for the community as a way of saying thanks for the faith the community has placed in them for more than a century. This year was no different, save one detail — Committed, season-two winners of NBC's The Sing Off, were the musical guests.
Sharing Dreams, Values
With such an inspiring group of young men coming to town, Adventist Medical Center (AMC) felt it needed to reach youth in the area with Committed's powerful message.
"We wanted to show teens in the community that we are here to help them make good choices," says Tom Russell, AMC president and CEO. "Committed's dedication to their values really resonates with Adventist Health's value-based system."
Committed performed and shared their message with nearly 900 students from Portland Adventist Academy (PAA) and surrounding Adventist schools. (For more information about the performance at PAA, see the Oregon Conference section.) The six-man a capella singing group later performed for approximately 3,200 students at David Douglas High School in Portland, the largest public high school in Oregon.
Committed shared with the students that they should follow their dreams with God's help, no matter the challenges. They also expressed how important it is to stay true to personal values and principles.
Songs for Hunger
The two-day event was capped off with a performance by Committed for community members. There was standing room only for the concert, where the only admission required was a non-perishable food item. More than two tons of food were collected for Portland Adventist Community Services.
"The concert celebrated being thankful for all that we have," says Russell. "The least we can do is to help those in our community who aren't as fortunate." Russell added that Oregon's prevalent hunger is within the top five in the United States. The annual Celebration of Thanksgiving Concert reminds us never to take life for granted.
One of Thousands of Thankful Patients
The Saturday evening community concert featured a short movie depicting the life of Rod, a grateful patient who felt the healing touch of Jesus Christ while being cared for by the staff. Rod was an addict who didn't want to live anymore. When he came to the hospital he was "at the end of his rope." But what he experienced at the hospital was life changing. Rod is just one of thousands of thankful patients.
"These people shattered my conceptions about the medical profession," says Rod. "They care so much, it's palpable."
Watch the full video at www.adventisthealthnw.com/AboutAMC_Mission.asp.
