Medical Teams International’s sixth annual Great Adventure Dinner and Auction raises more than $1.4 million

Tigard, October 22nd. More than 650 people attended a very successful event inside the headquarters of Medical Teams International. The money raised will be used to deliver medical and dental care, humanitarian aid, and holistic development programs for people suffering in the wake of disaster, conflict, and areas of extreme poverty.  Last year alone the nonprofit helped more than 2.1 million people in 72 countries.

“We are overwhelmed by the generosity and compassion of those who attended our auction,” said Bas Vanderzalm, president of Medical Teams International. “With God’s help, we hope to use these funds to touch the lives of thousands of suffering people around the world and here at home.”

It was a memorable evening for guests with food, laughter and generous gifts. Matt Zaffino, KGW Channel 8 Chief Meteorologist, served as the Master of Ceremonies. Leticia Frye’s graceful and lively auctioneering presence encouraged giving. Julianne Johnson-Weiss, two-time Grammy nominated artist, sang four moving songs.

The 2011 Auction Committee included: Bas Vanderzalm, Lynn Vanderzalm, Mark Dodson, Phil Lane, Scott Cress, Beth Biggs, Dana Cress, Deb Hirsh, Annie Kubiak, Sue Gaden Preece, Julie Sorenson, Kathy Herman; Front Row – Chiqui Flowers, Ruth Ann Dodson, Chris Hardy, Mary Carter, Daphne Cooluris, Priscilla Longfield; Not Pictured – Linda Lane, Mark and Janeen McAninch, Kathy McCoy,Gary and Anne Branden, Sigrid Button, Mike and Chris Cusick, Linda Fitzgerald, Sudee Hering, Ron King, Michael Magaurn, Barbara Spence, Margaret Terrall, Nancy Wilgenbusch.

(Photos by: Mike McConaughey, David Castaneda, and Frank Nichols for Medical Teams International.)

Among the presenting sponsors were: Alaska Airlines, Lexus of Portland, Silicon Forest Electronics and Standard TV & Appliance. Other major sponsors were Magaurn Video Media, Providence Health & Services, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon and Mitchell Wine Group. This year’s auction chairs were Scott and Dana Cress and Phil and Linda Lane. Next year’s auction is set for Oct. 13, 2012.

Formerly Northwest Medical Teams, Medical Teams International was founded in 1979 when Oregon businessman Ron Post was moved to action by a news report detailing the plight of starving refugees on the Thai-Cambodian border. Post organized 27 medical volunteers within two weeks to bring desperately-needed supplies and medical care to the refugees. Since 1979, MTI has sent over 2,240 volunteer teams and shipped more than $1.5 billion in lifesaving medical supplies around the world.