Our fundraiser event at the Albany Golf and Event Center on July 17 proved to be both fun and successful, resulting in over $352,000 in funds raised for Hub City Village. It was an exhilarating evening complete with a very nice selection of raffle items, a VIP speaker from Eugene’s Emerald Village, an interactive game, and a paddle raise. Attendees to the event enjoyed an excellent buffet dinner catered by Forks and Corks Catering, dessert provided by Natural Sprinkles Co. and Bodhi Bakery, and a beer and wine bar with Lumos wine and beer from Deluxe Brewing.
The evening began with a cocktail hour during which guests were able to mingle with other guests and engage with Creating Housing Coalition board members. Displays included several presentation posters, a village architectural model and the most recent site plan. Board members were on hand to answer questions and talk about the CHC vision and progress made.
Once dinner was served and guests were seated comfortably at their tables, the evening entertainment program began. The first activity was an interactive game called “Heads or Tails” hosted with gusto by Todd Powell of Gerding Builders. During the game, participants placed bets on a series of coin tosses for a chance to win a two-night stay at Stephanie Inn at Cannon Beach.
Guests were then treated to the highlight of the evening, a wonderful talk by Alice Gentry of Emerald Village in Eugene. Alice recounted her several-year journey from losing her house and becoming homeless to being the first person accepted to live in Emerald Village. She described with passionate affection how the villagers work together as a self-governing community, how beautiful each of the unique dwellings and the communal garden space are, and how much nourishment she feels from living in this community. It was a story of positivity and love, and the room was filled with admiration and respect for Alice and the Emerald Village community by the time she left the podium.
Next came a high energy paddle raise, which provided a perfect opportunity for guests to help Alice’s story become a reality for someone experiencing homeless in our own community. The paddle raise began with bids at the highest level, $50,000, which funds 83% of one home in the village. Before the MC had even finished announcing the bid, two donors raised their paddle to pledge the highest bid and the room erupted in applause. Still in awe of the enthusiastic conviction shown by the first two bids, the MC was told there was an absentee bidder calling in to pledge another $50,000! As the room settled from that dramatic development, a fourth donor raised their paddle to join in at the highest level. Within the first five minutes of the paddle raise the room had pledged over two hundred thousand dollars. Emotions ran high as the bidding continued and donors were cheered on every time a paddle was raised. By the end of the evening, several thousand dollars had been raised and eight lucky attendees went home with lovely raffle items, including gift certificates for Gamberetti’s, Amadeus, and Sybaris restaurants; Cookies by Wren and baking tools with a hand-made serving tray; a handcrafted cherry wood accent table; a charcuterie board with cheese tools and jams; and a beautiful stained-glass panel.
We are so grateful to all the community members who attended this special event and pledged support to help build homes for our unhoused neighbors, as well as our generous sponsors who donated raffle items and refreshments, our VIP speaker Alice Gentry for her inspirational talk, and of course our MC, Todd Powell, for making us laugh all evening. Thank you all!
Amadeus Restaurant | Bodhi Artisan Kitchen & Bakery | Deluxe Brewing | Gamberetti’s Italian Restaurant
Little Wuesten Bakery | Lumos Winery | Natural Sprinkles Co. | The Pix Theatre | Sybaris Bistro
Gary Goby, master furniture builder | Stephanie Inn at Cannon Beach