Did you hear?… Gert Boyle shovels sand for charity

Gert Boyle (pictured) shoveled sand for charity on July 12 as part of the 7th annual Yoshida’s Sand in the City event held at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland, Ore. This year’s event raised approximately $100,000 for the Kids on the Block Awareness Program where volunteers use life-size puppets and take them into schools to help teach children the importance of understanding and accepting people for who they are, in spite of racial, economic, or physical differences (among others). Columbia has participated in this event for three years. According to Angela Hult of Columbia, “It’s a great team-building experience. The group works on the design of the sand sculpture, then practices together for several months before the actual event.” Columbia’s sculpture, a log cabin with animals peering in the windows, was titled “While the boarders are away, the animals will play.” The team is also responsible for raising additional funds, and Columbia was recognized as the corporate team that raised the most money.