Classic Wines Auction Presents $436,750 to Metropolitan Family Service
Portland, Ore. — May 6th, 2013 — The Classic Wines Auction, Inc. (CWA), presented by Kuni Automotive, delivered a check for $436,750 to Metropolitan Family Service (MFS). The donation will help MFS continue providing help to more than 30,000 low-income individuals and families. MFS is the original auction beneficiary and remains highly involved with CWA to this day.
The Classic Wines Auction presents Metropolitan Family Service with $436,750 raised from its gala annual auction. Pictured left to right: Paul Vogel, Classic Wines Auction board member; Heather Martin, Classic Wines Auction Executive Director; Keith Barnes, Classic Wines Auction board member; Chris Hermann, Classic Wines Auction board member; Donna Edwards, Metropolitan Family Service Board Chair; Judy Strand, Metropolitan Family Service Chief Executive Officer; Karen Hinsdale, Classic Wines Auction board member.
Critical funding from CWA makes it possible for MFS to play a pivotal role in early intervention and prevention to deliver proven programs that help people succeed at home, in school, and in the community. This begins with providing guidance to children during formative times to helping them succeed as independent adults. A prime example of this is Jordan. The overwhelming events that occurred in Jordan’s life — unstable household and homelessness — caused him to start skipping school.
“I had eleven credits towards graduation that I needed to make up. MFS came into the picture at the most perfect time,” said Jordan. “All the experience that I gained helped me to transition into eventually working for the program. “[MFS] jumps on every opportunity to help and without that I would not be where I am today.”
Today Jordan works at the Metropolitan Family Service SUN Community School located at Gresham High School, where he enrolls kids in the academic recovery program. His goal is to help every single one of his students make up what they need to graduate.
How Metropolitan Family Service Serves the Community:
The original auction beneficiary, Metropolitan Family Service (MFS), is known as a progressive leader in the development and delivery of fundamental social service programs. MFS provides services that meet the ever-changing needs throughout the Portland/Vancouver area, helping children succeed, strengthening families and their connections to community and helping older adults live independently.
More than 30,000 children, families and older adults receive help through MFS each year. Financial support for programs is leveraged with the help of nearly 2,000 active volunteers who contribute 70,000 hours of service annually.
Proceeds from the Classic Wines Auction:
Funds raised by Classic Wines Auction are invested in Metropolitan Family Service’s proven programs and innovative, cost effective approaches to address important social issues, including:
· After school programs and mentoring for 18,000 children and families in high poverty neighborhoods
· 32,000 rides help older adults and people with disabilities get to medical appointments and grocery stores
· Financial education and low-interest loans to 92 working parents who need a car for work, childcare, and school-related transportation
· Parent education classes to help 520 families build successful relationships
“Metropolitan Family Service opens doors of possibilities for thousands of kids in the community. It’s important for people to continue to support MFS because it helps these kids get through school by giving them the support that they need at the right time,” said Keith Barnes, 2013 CWA Co-Chair.
The majority of the funds were raised during the annual Classic Wines Auction fundraising gala this past March. As one of the largest fundraisers in Oregon, CWA is dedicated to producing premiere food and wine events to raise funds for local charities. CWA partners with organizations with the following characteristics: mission compatibility, effective organizational management, sound financial practices, board-led fundraising, sustainability and a solid volunteer network.
Consistently recognized as one of the top charity wine auctions in the country by Wine Spectator Magazine since 2001, the Classic Wines Auction has raised nearly $32 million for Portland-area charities since its inception in 1982. Based in Portland, Ore., Classic Wines Auction, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to producing the Classic Wines Auction and related food and wine events to raise funds for local charities benefiting children and families, including: Metropolitan Family Service, New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children-Portland, YWCA Clark County and Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel.
See more at www.classicwinesauction.com.
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