by guest writer Robyn Crummer-Olson

The click-clack of six unruly antique typewriters sharply contrasted with the chic modern furnishings of what Robyn Steely called “Portland’s other living room.” Steely is the Executive Director of Write Around Portland, a nonprofit organization dedicated to a three-pronged purpose: facilitating writing workshops, publishing a thrice-yearly anthology of the writers’ works, and hosting readings around Portland.

On Saturday, October 4, Write Around Portland hosted their third annual Wordigo fundraiser at Design Within Reach. Write Around Portland raised over $14,000 to continue providing their much-needed services to communities such as at-risk youth, low-income seniors, the homeless, domestic violence survivors, and people living with mental illness and addiction. This year, Write Around Portland will host 47 different workshops for over 500 writers. The workshop facilitation, materials, bus tickets, childcare, and snacks are all provided to participants free of charge.

Wordigo’s primary fundraiser was a silent auction of Moleskine journals customized by local artists and entrepreneurs including Manya Shapiro, Zoe Trope, Michael Powell and Jim Riswold. Upon arrival, guests were provided a program, nametag, and blank postcard with the instructions: “Write a postcard. Hang it on the red ribbons. Watch your mailbox. And wonder who will get yours.” Guests enjoyed a signature cocktail concocted by The Oregon Bartender’s Guild called the F. Scott—a vodka tonic mixed with an herbal reduction. Tables and desks held low-tech delights such as Wordigo Poker, a vintage slide projector show, Boggle, and Speed Scrabble as well as the aforementioned antique typewriters next to prompts such as “It wasn’t my car,” and “The people in my tea leaves.”

The journals, games, postcards, and group writing activities, mixed with some good old-fashioned mingling, all underscored Write Around Portland’s primary mission: to help isolated people find their voices and their communities through writing together and sharing their stories. During her address to the gathering, Steely described the impact of the anthologies on workshop participants, “People tell us that they go to Powell’s and see their names on the same shelves as bestselling authors, and it is life changing.”

Asked about next year’s Wordigo, Steely replied, “We received very positive feedback. This was our best Wordigo yet. It has launched us into our 10-year anniversary planning for next year. We plan to do something very exciting….”

To learn more, volunteer, or donate, visit www.writearound.org.