Reader's Digest Names Palau-Portland Partnership One of "10 Reasons to Love Our Country"

When the City of Portland accepted money and volunteer work from 500 churches, Commissioner Nick Fish said the partnership could mean "someday we'll be known as Jesus' favorite city." Jesus still hasn't commented. But Reader's Digest has.

The grandma-friendly lifestyle monthly has named the Beaverton-based Luis Palau Association's Season of Service one of the "10 Reasons to Love Our Country" in its Best of America issue. The six-month silent-evangelism program, which this year is donating $100,000 and 100,000 volunteer hours to Portland and its public schools, is recognized by Reader's Digest alongside Willie Nelson ("Best Farmers' Friend") and stock-car driver Leilani Münter ("Best Green Speed Demon").

Meanwhile the 2009 Season of Service (whose organizer, Kevin Palau, is profiled at length in this WW cover story) continues its good works. The most high-profile of its donations to Portland Public Schools recommences Saturday, June 20, when more than 2,000 volunteers -- many of them from West Linn's well-heeled SouthLake Foursquare Church -- are expected to arrive at North Portland's much less well-heeled Roosevelt High School. Last year's Community Care Day at Roosevelt, which kicked off the initial Season of Service, contributed an estimated $182,776 in renovations to the rundown school. Volunteers can sign up here.