Portlanders - can you help this woman who has done so much for us?
PORTLAND, Ore. - A local woman lost a coin purse during Friday's tree lighting ceremony at Pioneer Courthouse Square and it's something she desperately wants back.
Of course, we normally don't do a news report if someone loses a purse but it's not every day that we get the chance to help someone who has helped so many others in her life.
Mariah Taylor founded a healthcare clinic in 1980 and has given free medicine, books, food and health services to thousands of needy Portland kids for the past three decades. She was even presented an award by Oprah for her work.
And now the nurse who has given so much to her community is asking for just one thing in return - the small coin purse that either fell out of her pocket or was stolen. There wasn't much inside - some money, family photos and debit cards, but Taylor would like the purse back.
"I hope someone will show mercy and they will be the angel and return the coin purse," Taylor said. "Because it means a lot to me."
If you have any information, contact the Portland Police Bureau. Here's a look at what the coin purse looks like (the one that was lost looks just like this one, another one that Taylor has):
KATU photo.
We learned about Mariah Taylor's story through a news tip. If you have a story for the KATU News team, send an e-mail to newstips@katu.com.
What a sense of entitlement here.. I'm proud of what she has done, but really here ??????/
Why are there always comments on here that are so negative and sarcastic? This woman is an upstanding member of the Portland community, and it seems that all some people have to say are smarta** comments. Geez way to ruin a kind gesture.
So This is NEWS??? I lost an ipod can we get katu on the case to find it?
@Scott Oviatt Sure. Do someting really nice for hudnreds of people in the community and we'll talk. . . .
@Scott Oviatt That's nothing, I lost my mind but it's beyond KATU's help.
 @Scott Oviatt Tell you what, found a healthcare clinic and give free medicine, books, food and health services to thousands of needy Portland kids for three decades and I'[ll buy you a new one!
I hope the thing gets found and returned, but I have a question: How did they get a photo of a missing coin purse?
@Mechanic  Read it.. They said It LOOKS like this one.
 @Mechanic It says "Here's a look at what the coin purse looks like (the one that was lost looks just like this one, another one that Taylor has):" at the end...
We need to help this lady. I will be on the lookout for it. Chances are slim I would ever find it but I will still be looking for it.
 @RalphCramden How would you find time when you spend all day, every day, posting to a news forum?
 @Silver SurferÂ
Being that I am going to school full time and do day trading, I find this web site a nice diversion from research.
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Plus I can only do so much work around the house. Today I finished the grouting of the tile I put in yesterday and got the new toilet in. That's about all the work I wanted to do today. Tomorrow I am going to just kick back and do nothing. Maybe the next day also.
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It's so nice being retired and being free to do what I what when I want.
 @scoreboard  @Silver SurferÂ
Yes I did. I worked for 50 years and saved and put into my own savings and into SS. Plus my retirement fund at my last job.
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But I have no faith that all that will be there in the future the way the government is going so I am back to work part time. Then again I am a worker, always have been and will always be.
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I am off to California this weekend to teach some classes and then to Idaho the week after.
 @RalphCramden  @Silver Surfer In other words, you earned the right to sit around and do what you want. Good for you!!
 @RalphCramden Really Relph ? You haven't helped anyone except your self ever ! Come on now !
 @dougrpdxÂ
Yup, I am a selfish capitalist who has given more money annually to charity than Biden. I also give more to charity in one quarter than Biden gave in the last 10 years. Up until 0bama was running for president I gave more money that he did to just one charity.
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"If you exempt the Nobel cash, though, 2009 wasnât the Obamasâ most generous year. The coupleâs donations spiked in 2007, with donations of $240,000 as Barack Obama emerged as a presidential candidate. From 2000 to 2004, they never gave more than $3,500 a year."
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/04/16/the-stingiest-politicians.html
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As a percentage of income I give more than all top politicians especially the rich liberal ones.
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I really need to look at the Democrats who set the example of NOT giving to charity.
http://gulfport.patch.com/articles/do-republicans-or-democrats-give-more#photo-11064882
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You think I should follow the lead of liberals in their charitable giving?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/opinion/21kristof.html?source=science20.com
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Maybe I should rethink my position and start to think of myself before others like our liberal leaders. After all they are going to take more of my money starting January 1st. Oh, wait, never mind. I moved all my money out of the country and beyond the reach of the IRS and greedy politicians.
 @dougrpdxÂ
I am a hypocritical independent. Oh wait, I can't be a hypocrite because independents don't have a platform because we are INDEPENDENT.
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I play the game to keep as much money as I can. As long as what I do is legal I will do. I get all kinds of subsidies from the government thanks to the wonderful taxpayers who voted this crap in. But it's the rules and I know how to play the game to my advantage.
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As for hiring illegals, I will do that in a heartbeat because even though it is illegal for them to be here. No one cares that they are taking jobs from Americans. It's like pot. It is illegal but no one cares. So everyone smokes it.
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The government cares little about me, or you, and I will grab everything I can and encourage everyone else to do the same. When the money runs out, and it will, those who have taken advantage of all the government handouts and saved up as much money as they can will come out on top.
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Those that live off the government teat will find life very hard and their life will take a huge turn for the worse.
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I actually look forward to that day so that we can get back to the basics and stop this insane give away to those who are too lazy to work.
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The really cool part of all of this is that it pisses you off which makes me feel like dancing.
 @RalphCramden Right.. As you hire illegal aliens to avoid taxes, as you so proudly shout out.. Don't play me like that now.. You are a hypocrite.. Oh, isn't that what all republicans are.. YES
@dougrpdx @RalphCramden    as far as you know, Doug.