Wine and Chocolate Extravaganza Boosts Youth, Rights & Justice

Portland, October 13th. Over 250 guests attended Youth, Rights & Justice‘s Wine & Chocolate Extravaganza at the Oregon Convention Center. Emcee Stephanie Stricklen from KGW-TV led guests through wine and chocolate tasting, dinner and dessert dash, and silent and live auctions. Just over $71,000 was raised in support of Oregon’s most vulnerable children and youth. Knowledge Universe was the title sponsor, and Tonkon Torp, LLP the presenting sponsor. (Photo credit, Merrie Lisa Conroy)

David Roy, speaking on behalf of Title Sponsor, Knowledge Universe

Silent auction and wine and chocolate tasting

Honorary Chair, Rep. Tina Kotek

Golden Ticket winner, Merrie Lisa Conroy to auctioneer, Graham Crow:
“I want the puppy!”

Wine tasting was provided by Cooper Mountain Vineyard, Eos Wine Selections, Methven Family Vineyards, Pheasant Valley Vineyard and Winery, Sineann Winery, Sokol Blosser Winery, and Walnut City WineWorks.

Chocolate tasting was provided by Euphoria Chocolate Company, Missionary Chocolates, Stirs the Soul, and the Wallowa Lake Fudge Company.

Guests bid on centerpieces handcrafted by Bella Bevanda Candles. Made by local artisan, Jennifer Humphrey, the organic, soy candles are crafted using up-cycled wine bottles. For the event, Jennifer made 90 candles using bottles from the wineries participating at the event.

Speakers for the evening included Oregon House Democratic Leader, Tina Kotek; Knowledge Universe Director of Community Partnerships, David Roy; and Jennifer Williamson, advocate for education and justice, and her husband, Paul Loving.

The Golden Ticket raffle raised $5,000, and the winner chose her prize from among the live auction items: a miniature labradoodle puppy donated by Dixie Springer of Springville Labradoodles. The hottest item in the live auction was a ticket to a private dinner party with local New York Times bestselling author, Cheryl Strayed, and catered by Kaaren Bedi. Tickets went for $350 per person.

About Youth, Rights & Justice: Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable children and families through legal representation and advocacy in the courts, legislature, schools and community. Founded in 1975, we are Oregon’s premiere authority on juvenile law. We are the only non-profit law firm in the state dedicated to representing children in the courts and ensuring that Oregon’s laws protect the rights and well-being of children and their families.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.