Benefit Celebration 2018 Thank You

You did it! Whether you were able to join us on Saturday, send a donation, purchase a raffle ticket, or sponsor the Benefit Celebration, you were part of a record-breaking effort that grossed over $72,000. Together with a match opportunity for the paddle raise, the event had a total impact of $87,000. Not only that, but we had a total of 39 paddles raised to learn more about volunteering at our annual Christmas Tree Sale. It was truly a community-building night, and we thank you.

There are so many people to thank, including: 
First and foremost, you and all of our supporters. Our incredible performers: Julianne Johnson, Michael Allen Harrison, Jeremy Doney, and Voices Unlimited. Thank you for bringing us together through music. Your passion and talent shone through. Frances Sexton and Tom Soma for sharing their dreams for L'Arche Portland. The Raskob Foundation: thank you for your generous $10,000 challenge match to support our Care for the Caregivers initiative. Because we reached our match goal, the Raskob Foundation will contribute $15,000 in 2019 towards assistant retreats, formation, accompaniment, and other supports.

All of our incredible volunteers who helped make this evening run so smoothly, especially to Mercedes Arntson, Karen Danner, Geri Fucile, Teresa Badel, Kim Hack, Andrew Davidson, Jacob Guckenberger, Caitlin Briare, Natalie Briare, Mikayla Briare, Erin Sheffield, Phil Proctor, Anne Flynn, James Pena, Zack Danner, Ryan Mildenberger, and Carol Biederman. Tom and Marilyn Fink for donating the wonderful Stoller wine. All of our silent auction and dessert dash donors. The superb event personnel working behind the scenes, especially Jim Kuffner, our auctioneer, University Events, Bon Appetit Catering, photographer Ashley Jennings, and amazing AV guru Garrett Athman.

And lastly, a final thank you to our sponsors, several of whom have supported the event since its inception: Fire on the Mountain, Kell, Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P., Parr Lumber, University of Portland, Atlas Motors, Heritage Bank, United Access, Buckley Law, Columbia Bank, OnPoint, and PrintSync.