Portland, OR. Catholic Charities of Oregon held its 21st Annual Celebration of Hope Gala at the Oregon Convention Center on Saturday, March 10th. With nearly 1,000 guests in attendance, this signature event raised more than $700,000 to support Catholic Charities’ programs serving more than 20,000 people each year. The event was chaired by Bill & Colleen Gardner and featured the story of Jewell, who after ten years on the streets, is permanently housed and thriving. In addition to a special appeal, guests bid on auction items including a trip to Tuscany, private dinner with Timbers MVP Diego Valeri, and a luxury get-away to Bend. (Toc Soneoulay-Gillespie, Samira Sariolghalam, Sophorn Cheang, Sarah Purce, Chanpone Sinlapasai, and Vanessa Briseno enjoyed the evening – Photo credit, Lauren Odderstol and Matthew Hollander.)
Event Co-Chairs Bill and Colleen Gardner kick off the Celebration with an introduction and prayer.
Guests Suzanne Krahmer and Archbishop Alexander Sample look on as the program begins.
Catholic Charities Executive Director Deacon Rick Birkel speaks on the importance of the mission of Catholic Charities.
Auctioneer Dale Johannes initiates the live auction, which included a trip to Italy, dinner with MVP Portland Timbers player Diego Valeri, and more.
The Live Auction portion of the evening was great fun & a big success.
Johnny Martin Trio leads the crowd onto the dance floor with classic tunes at the end of the evening.
Vanessa Briseno and her husband, Tony Hawblitzel, hit the dance floor at the end of the evening.
John Colosimo, Molly O’Donnell and John Sheils enjoy the after party.
From Catholic Charities:
About Celebration of Hope:
At Catholic Charities, we believe home means possibility. Our focus is providing and preserving home for families on our community. With your help, we develop strategies to provide housing and support services for Oregonians in need. Please join us for the 2018 Celebration of Hope as we reflect upon the impact of Catholic Charities. We celebrate with a cocktail hour and dinner, a live auction and, most importantly, stories of hope and success from those we serve.
About the Organization:
Each year, Catholic Charities serves more than 20,000 individuals and families, regardless of faith, through programs aimed at meeting their immediate needs and building self-sufficiency. Every day, Catholic Charities works to find solutions for people experiencing a myriad of challenges: homelessness, financial hardships, counseling needs, family legal barriers, domestic violence and trauma, relocation from war-torn countries, and many others. The needs are great, but the opportunities Catholic Charities provides to its clients are transformative.
Our Generous Celebration of Hope Sponsors:
- Providence Health & Services
- Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
- B.P., Lester & Regina John Foundation
- Colleen & Werner Nistler
- Touchmark
- Becker Capital Management
- Oregon Catholic Press
- Pacific Seafood
- The Greenbrier Companies
- U.S. Bank
- Cambia Health Solutions
- Cascade Management
- LMC Construction
- PeaceHealth
- Providence Health Plan
- Aldrich CPA’s & Advisors
- Ball Janik LLP
- Phil & Barbara Brown
- CYO/Camp Howard
- Deloitte
- Dieringer Properties
- JD Fulwiler
- Paul & Sarah Duwelius
- Environments
- Heritage BankJohn & Sally Lee
- Loveridge Hunt & Co.
- Allen & Kathleen Lund
- Mater Dei Radio
- Northwest Pump & Equipment Co.
- O’Neill Construction
- Jerry & Sandra Parsons
- Andrew & Rita Pinkowski
- R & H Construction
- John & Mary Pat Rickman
- St. Mary’s Academy
- Stoel Rives
- Joseph & Sarah Tennant
- Walsh Construction
- Bill & Carolyn Winter
- David & Julie Brands
- Columbia Bank
- Les & Nancy Fahey
- Fidelity National Title
- First Republic Private Wealth Management
- Thomas & Rosemary Franz
- David & Julie Gorretta
- Eric & Kim Grasberger
- Patsy Heinlein
- Paul Henkels
- Jesuit High School
- Marvin & Betty Kaiser
- William & Rosella Lindblad
- Mary’s Woods at Marylhurst
- Moss Adams LLP
- Mount Angel Abbey & Seminary
- Ed & Anne Newbegin
- NW Natural
- Pinecrest Fabrics
- Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt, P.C
- Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus & Mary
- Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Ministries Corporation
- St. Ignatius Catholic Church
- St. Pius X Catholic Church
- TEAM Construction
- The Boeing Company
- The Kessi Family
- The Wolf Family Foundation
- Brian & Jeanne Thomas
- University of Portland
- Vista Capital Partners
- Rebecca Yazzie
- Brentley Bullock
- Fr. Martin King
- St. Mary Magdalene Church
- St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church
- Bishop Kenneth Steiner
