OES Community Raises Over $400,000 at Glamping Themed Virtual Auction

Portland, OR.  More than $400,000 was raised during the Oregon Episcopal School (OES) online auction and livestream with multiple outdoor-themed adventures up for bidding. Auctioneer Johnna Wells introduced items up for bid during the glamping-themed virtual event. It was the second virtual auction for OES during the pandemic. About $280,000 of the funds raised are for the school’s annual tuition assistance budget for families who need financial help.

Under a twilight-inspired sky complete with shooting stars, a campfire, and s’mores, Oregon Episcopal School’s glamping-themed virtual auction on March 13th was a success.

“I never thought a year ago when we did our first virtual auction that we’d be doing a second virtual auction … but here we are,” said Board Chair Dan Drinkward ‘95, via videotaped message during the livestream. “And what a year it’s been.

“It’s been a challenging year for all of us, but we’ve come through as a community that is stronger and, I think, better. We have kids back on campus, which brought me so much joy to see that at the end of this challenging year, we have some hope for the long term.”

The auction chairs were Tammy Moe and Janice Pulley, and they donned glamping attire, fired up their electric campfire, and sent virtual greetings to attendees from a woodsey setting.

Said OES Head of School Mo Copeland to attendees: “We are here and doing the beautiful job we are doing because of the strength of our community. And that’s all of you, and every one of us who has made us function beautifully during this time.”

A handful of students, parents, and alumni spoke about the shining stars in their lives, and what the OES community means to them, especially during the pandemic.

Fifth grader Brady sent a taped virtual shout-out, thanking his teachers for their exceptional support over the past year. “I know [remote learning] is harder for them,” he said, “but they make it so it’s not like, impossible, for us to make it possible.”

Here’s a video overview of the independent, pre-k to grade 12, day and boarding school with input from students, faculty, the administrative team, and admissions staff: the 2020 Virtual Open House.

From OES:

Oregon Episcopal School offers an inquiry-based education that prepares students for higher education and lifelong learning. We are a community of learners in which excellent faculty engage small groups of students to foster their curiosity and inspire them to cultivate their power to do good work in the world.