A Bocce Home: Portland Bocce League Association Foundation.
The Portland Bocce League was founded 25 years ago to bring this ancient Italian game to Portland, Oregon. In 2003, members raised $20,000 to build two bocce courts in the North Park Blocks. The courts have been in continuous use since, maintained by volunteer league members for the benefit of the public. We offer bocce league play year-round as well as tournaments and lessons. Portland Bocce has long been a positive presence in downtown Portland.
PBLA Foundation Mission:
- To enhance and develop the sport of bocce for individuals of all ages and to a specific segment of the population of physically and mentally challenged children and adults.
- To provide clinics, lessons, and tournaments teaching the rules and strategy of bocce.
- To build and maintain bocce courts to support the development of bocce in Oregon.
Membership to the Portland Bocce League is open to everyone living in the Portland/Vancouver Metro area regardless of gender, race, ethnic origin, age, or athletic ability.
In partnership with Portland Parks and Recreation, we offer low-cost bocce classes to adaptive learners and seniors. Our 100% volunteer-run organization sponsors free weekend skills clinics and multiple tournaments open to the public.
Beginning in 2010, the PBLA Board of Directors determined that to expand our public outreach, it was necessary to provide courts in a consistently safe, clean environment. The courts we built downtown are subject to damage and unwanted activities. At 60 feet long, they are too short to help players develop the skills needed to take part in national bocce events. There are no restrooms and parking is a challenge. In short, the current courts do not support the growth of the league.
We are building a bocce home.
St. Philip Neri Catholic church in SE Portland has served the Italian American community in Portland since 1913. They suggested a partnership with Portland Bocce League to build bocce courts on their property. We have a site plan for 4 tournament-quality bocce courts and are working with the city to obtain permits.
Our membership is growing and has enthusiastically embraced the plan to build our own courts. To date, we have raised over $48,000 from members alone. Additional pledges of $21,000 are promised. The new courts will allow us to expand our outreach, bringing bocce to new players, young and old, of all abilities.
We need your support.
We urgently need to raise $150,000 to realize our dream for the Portland Bocce community. Your tax-exempt donation in 2024 will allow us to begin rolling on beautiful new courts in time for our 2025 Summer season.
Mailing Address for Donations:
PBLA Foundation Treasurer
40 S Custer St
Portland, OR 97219
Or visit our website:
https://www.portlandbocce.com/donations
Foundation EIN: 88 3959920