The John Lennon Memorial Society was established in 1984, following the success of the first John Lennon Memorial Jam (a canned food concert for the Oregon Food Bank) in 1983. This forged the society's purpose to honor John Lennon through his music and his view of the problems with world hunger. We later chartered as a non-profit corporation to raise food and/or funds for local charities as The John Lennon Memorial Society of Oregon, Incorporated in 1987.

The John Lennon Memorial Concert has over time, evolved from a private jam session among devastated musical friends in 1980, a week after Lennon's death, to a city-wide all-style Beatles and Lennon music multi-media event. It is held once a year, on the closest Saturday to either his birthday or the day he died.

The John Lennon Memorial Society has raised 3,000 pounds of food for the Oregon Food Bank in 1983 and 1984, 34,000 pounds of food from 1985 to 1996 and  $8491.00 since 1998 for the Portland Police Bureau Sunshine Division , and in 1997 raised $2000 for Doernbecher Children's Hospital. We've also made minor contributions to a destitute parents' child funeral, immediate assistance to a two-parent orphan, and a bikes for kids program. Our overall efficiency average is ~82%.The Portland Police Bureau Sunshine Division's 1999 efficiency was 92%. Please check their website at www.sunshinedivision.org for more info on the terrific job they're doing. 

We pride ourselves as being one of very few grassroots efforts that has demonstrated such longevity, consistency and will to persevere. We have captured the respect of some of the best musicians, media people, venues, music shops, corporations, volunteers, etc., as well as a terrific wide-range audience in the Portland metro area. They all make an outstanding  contribution, which is necessary to do a REAL and efficient benefit show. And the best part is that everybody has a real good time giving. For this, we truly appreciate everyone's efforts...Thanks.